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Best Griz To Wear The Number 41-50

SaskGriz

Well-known member
DONOR
41 Matt Steinau : A superb linebacker, who despite being an All American seems to fly under the radar when talk comes of the best Griz ‘backers.

Honorable Mention: Brady Green a hard nosed runner, who was All-Big Sky as a Special Teams player and a valuable contributor in the backfield.

42 Josh Buss: An incredibly athletic linebacker, who was both tenacious and intelligent in his play. His many highlight reel plays makes him this choice over two other great Grizzly linebackers.

Honorable Mention: Adam Boomer and Mike Bouchee could both easily have been the “42” on this list. Blake Horgan was also an All-Big Sky Defensive Tackle.

43 Andy Petek: Has any Grizzly ever had a pass rushing season like Petek had in 2000? 19 sacks, 35 TFL’s!

Honorable Mention: Spencer Frederic was an All-Big Sky TE on the 2001 National Championship team.

44 Jordan Tripp: A two time All American linebacker who was as good as any to ever play with the Griz.

Honorable Mention: Caleb Kidder, a supremely talented defensive lineman, equally adept at dominating the middle or rushing from the end.

45 Jeremiah Kose: A solid middle linebacker who anchored some very good griz linebacking corps.

Honorable Mention: David Sirmon was a steady outside linebacker and Colt Palmer was a hardworking Tight end/Fullback. This is another number without a lot of “star” players over the years.

46 Chad Lembke : Another All Big Sky linebacker and honorable mention All American.

Honorable Mention: Greg Fitzgerald was a steady middle linebacker who once had three picks in a quarter!

47 Vince Huntsberger: Strong safety extraordinaire. Covered side line to side line, an incredible reader of the game, and as sure a tackler as has ever played football. The only Griz to ever get a vote for the HEISMAN TROPHY!

Honorable Mention: Shane McIntyre was an All-Conference linebacker. Severin Campbell was a dynamo at DE. Derek Crittenden was a steady force at Defensive End and a Rhodes Scholar finalist. Between Crittenden and Dr.Huntsberger this might be the brainiest number on the team.

48 Pat Hardiman: A hard hitting undersized linebacker way back in 1986.

Honorable Mention: This is another one of those numbers where no real “star” or even regular starter ever stood out. Dan Orizotti was a hard hitting linebacker who stepped up when called upon. Joe Lehman had moments as a DE but battled injuries that limited his playing time.

49 Mathew O’Donaghue: An All American long snapper, who has been picked as a pre-season First Team All American going into his senior season. Long snappers are like referees, if you don’t hear their name, they are doing their job. O’Donaghue never makes poor snaps but you do hear his name as he’s caught two, two point converts.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Klaboe was a bruising All Big Sky fullback and Jessie Sims was a leader and beast on the defensive line. Either one of these players could easily have been picked at “49”.

50. Mike Rankin: Another All-American linebacker for the Griz. Robin Pflugard says of him “one of the most dominant defensive players I’ve ever seen.” Missed a whole season with a knee injury and was All American after he came back.

Honorable Mention: In a crowded field of denfensive line men; Yohanse Manzanarez was a powerful defensive tackle on the ’95 championship team. Bryan Waldhauser was an All Big Sky defensive lineman and Craig Mettler might have been the best of the three.
 
Excellent list. I might argue that Jesse Simms should be the choice for 49 but it’s hard to fault a guy that does his job successfully 100% of the time.
 
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