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2013 Fall Camp

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"Griz QB Johnson stays with best friends"

Bill Speltz said:
Through thick and thin Jordan Johnson has stayed with the Montana football team.

On Thursday, after an exhausting preseason workout in 90-degree heat, the junior quarterback who grabbed statewide and nationwide headlines and endured a mountain of adversity explained why he has never left Missoula.

“These guys are like my brothers,” he said while scanning over teammates at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. “That’s really the reason why I stayed.

“The coaches were supporting me the entire time; players were supporting me. These guys are my best friends and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

Twenty-one months ago, Johnson had Montana football fans captivated as he guided their team through the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. His sparkling performances in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds played to a national television audience on ESPN.

Three months later Johnson was in need of a different sort of support, accused of a felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent. From there he faced a 12-month ordeal that ended with a not-guilty verdict five months ago.

At that point someone else in his position might have opted to move on. With his proven success on the football field, any number of FCS schools likely would have taken him in a heartbeat.

That would have been the easy route. Johnson took the hard one and today he wears the look of a sincere 21-year-old man, his eyes filled with hope and his future brighter than a Missoula sunrise.

“It’s going well,” he said of Montana’s first week of fall practice. “We’re still working out the kinks a little bit, I mean it’s only Day 3. But I really think we’ve gotten better each day so it’s really exciting.”

The Grizzlies just weren’t themselves in Johnson’s absence. Coming off a 2011 campaign in which he led them within one win of the FCS finals, Montana finished 5-6 last season.

Gone is Johnson’s head coach and mentor from 2010 and ’11, Robin Pflugrad. He was fired in March 2012 by UM President Royce Engstrom and has since landed a job as offensive coordinator at Weber State.

***

Today, Johnson is tutored by second-year head coach Mick Delaney and co-offensive coordinator Kefense Hynson. Even the offense has changed since 2011 – a more traditional pro-set will often be utilized.

“My favorite thing about it is the under center play-action,” Johnson said. “It’s huge because I can stay in the pocket or I can get out in space off the play action. And we still have some of the same old stuff that we did back in 2011.”

Johnson is excited about this year’s crop of receivers. He says he has more speed-burners than he did two years ago, the likes of which include Ellis Henderson and Taylor Walcott.

It’s anyone’s guess how fans will greet him on the road. He’ll undoubtedly be well-received at home, where he will be relied on to help guide Montana through a tough opener against visiting powerhouse Appalachian State on Aug. 31.

For Johnson, that night 22 days from now represents full circle.

“I’ve never had this long of a break to play football,” he remarked. “I’ve played every year since I was in third grade so I’m just going to go in and prepare myself like I would if I hadn’t missed a year. I’ll just try to do that the best way I can.”

The good news for Griz fans is he appears calm and confident running the first-team offense in practice. He has built up a level of chemistry with Henderson on long routes and he’s every bit as quick as he was in 2011.

“My arm strength is a lot better, I think,” said Johnson, who has also bulked up a bit. “I feel a little faster but it’s tough to tell because you can never get hit (in early-season workouts).

“We’ll have to wait until Aug. 31 to see that. I think just getting stronger and older ... I was only 19 years old when I was playing as a sophomore so being two years older has helped me.”

One man who has been impressed with Johnson, both athletically and as a student of the game, is Delaney.

“Without a doubt, he looks comfortable,” the coach said. “You know he’s got some new stuff on his plate. He wasn’t a young man who played under center in high school. His dad was his coach and did a great job, Jordy won a state championship when he was a senior.

“Then his first two years here predominantly every snap he had ever taken until last spring was from the shotgun. He’s adjusted really well under center. I’m happy about that.”

***

Quick kicks: Delaney was noticeably pleased with his team in Thursday afternoon’s practice. ... He pointed out the improvement in the kicking game over Wednesday’s workout. ... Redshirt freshman guard Will Weyer went down with a leg injury late in practice and sat out the final 10 minutes. Delaney is holding comment on his injury until the Bozeman native, who is listed at No. 2 on the depth chart, has a medical evaluation. ... The Griz players gave out a loud cheer after practice when Delaney announced that three new ice tubs have been obtained to ease post-practice aches and pains. ... Delaney said he’s looking forward to seeing how his team will respond to its first two-a-day on Sunday. The second practice that day will be a scrimmage starting at about 7:45 p.m. The scrimmage is open to the public.
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ABC/FOX Interview of Marq Rogers:

http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/story/23089489/indiana-product-glad-to-be-a-griz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
gah-riz said:
ABC/FOX Interview of Marq Rogers:

http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/story/23089489/indiana-product-glad-to-be-a-griz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Click to expand...
He seems like a great kid and he has the right attitude as an incoming freshman...humble.
 
I suppose all recruiting classes look good on paper, but something about this class feels different. I think we have some real talent to work with here. And I like Mick's philosophy of putting the best players on the field. I suspect some of our underclassmen will turn some heads this season.
 
Floated the C Fork today and watched a few minutes of practice when I got out of the river. Practices are closed, so I will not say much. 4 PAT's and 3 out of 4 were made. One bad snap, but the rest looked very good. DB's were on it for the 9 or ten plays I watched. Blanket coverage done very well. JJ nailed one for about 25 over the middle on a blown coverge by the LB's. Pass was on a rope. Appeared the D was going against the ones for the majority of the time and it was pure passing plays. Defense was intense and they were revved. Nothing short had a chance. No shortage of leaders with the D. Offense seems a little flat, but they were only running limited sets. If there was one takeaway from what I watched - it would be intensity. Defense has a ton of intensity and it came from the players. Inam about the most critical fan there is when it comes to the secondary. From what Insaw today - I was impressed. Hope that carries through into the season.
 
Fearsome 58.

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Bill Speltz said:
When it comes to sacking the quarterback, Zack Wagenmann is a simple kind of man.

“I try to have quite a few moves, but the key is to be good at a few of those moves,” said the Montana junior defensive end, who ranked fourth in the FCS in sacks last season. “Sometimes quantity isn’t the word but quality.”

And Zack’s bread-and-butter move? Well, it’s sort of two in one.

“My favorite would probably be hand-slap, speed-to-power,” he explained Friday after an intense preseason practice at the Riverbowl. “It’s a good get-off, play with the hands and if that doesn’t work then convert to a power move.”

A Missoula Sentinel grad, Wagenmann was arguably the most pleasant surprise on the Grizzly team last season. With his trademark long locks flowing from underneath his helmet, No. 58 terrorized opposing signal-callers to the tune of a team-high 11.5 sacks.

But the season didn’t finish on a high note for Wagenmann or his team, and they’ve been working to make up ground ever since. Zack had his own personal hill to climb when he tore his labrum and underwent surgery in December.

“He’s done everything in his power to rehab it,” Montana defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak said. “Speaking from experience I think it takes a little time to knock some of the scar tissue off.

“I think in the long run his shoulder will be stronger than it was before. Last year was a breakout season for him. This year I think he’s one of the best defensive players in the country.”

That’s hard to argue after watching Wagenmann in practice. Besides his rare quickness, he’s bulked up from 245 to 255 pounds and throws blockers around like rag dolls.

“He’s bigger, his hair is longer... ,” Gregorak joked. “No he really had an awesome offseason.”

* * * * *

You might say Friday was a day of awakening for Wagenmann and his defensive pals. Head coach Mick Delaney arranged for a third-and-long situational competition between the starting offense and defense and the competitive juices flowed freely.

Gregorak beckoned his defense, “Compete! Compete!” And boy did they ever, even pushing it to the limit on occasion in Montana’s second helmet-and-shoulder-pads practice of the week.

The pass defense was especially crisp at times. Cornerback Anthony Goodwin showed his sharp instincts in stepping up to wreck a quick out. Reserve safety Justin Whitted did the same on a pass up the middle.

The topper came on the final 11-on-11 play of the day. Sophomore corner Nate Harris stepped in front of a short pass for an interception and was immediately swarmed by the rest of the spirited Grizzly defenders in celebration.

“I think we’re a good defense,” said Gregorak, who returns 10 starters from last season. “The next couple weeks we need to become great.

“I’d like to have a great practice is all I’m saying. I thought our front looked pretty good. Four days in, it’s been warm, they’re starting to get a little camp-ish. A lot of these guys are veterans, we have a lot of senior leadership. We’ve got to start and finish strong. I didn’t think we started out strong. I thought we finished really good today.”

Wagenmann, who celebrated his 21st birthday Thursday, believes things began to change for the Griz defense this week when practice went from helmet-only the first two days to helmet and shoulder pads Thursday.

“It’s been very encouraging,” he said. “The defense has been flying around. We’ve been bringing good energy to the field and it’s exciting.”

* * * * *

Montana’s offense was not without its moments Friday afternoon. Tight end Clay Pierson had everyone impressed with a one-handed grab on a pass across the middle thrown behind him by Jordan Johnson. Wideout Jamaal Jones, a transfer from Washington, had his best practice in maroon, with a long TD reception that prompted one assistant coach to run 50 yards to congratulate him.

Montana fans will have their first opportunity to watch their team in a scrimmage format on Sunday at 7:45 p.m. inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. In the meantime, Wagenmann has a message:

“It’s funny, we have the 5-6 season so some people are worried, apprehensive,” he observed. “But we’re confident in ourselves and real excited to get started.”

Quick kicks: The 6-foot-3 Wagenmann was named to the Sports Network’s FCS preseason All-America team. Last year he was named to the Associated Press second team ... Redshirt freshman guard Ben Weyer, listed at No. 2 on the depth chart behind William Poehls, sat out practice Friday with a hamstring wrapped tightly ... The Griz are slated to return to Washington-Grizzly Stadium for Saturday’s afternoon practice, which is closed to the public. They will have their first two-a-day on Sunday.
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Griz don full pads for first time, show rushing potential.

Bill Speltz said:
They broke out the full bevy of pads for the first time Saturday and coach Mick Delaney uttered the adrenaline-inducing words his players have been waiting to hear:

“We’re live now.”

As in live hitting for the first time in five preseason workouts for the Montana football team. As in time to figure out what the 2013 Grizzlies are truly about on both sides of the ball.

If the first few plays of Montana’s live situational scrimmage are any indication, the run game is going to be rock-solid. Ball carriers Jordan Canada and Travon Van both found gaping holes up the middle for long gainers inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

But don’t get too carried away, Delaney cautioned.

“Obviously we had some live stuff but it was still modified live,” he said. “That makes it a little bit tougher on the defense.

“Our biggest concern is are they in the right place on defense. We are teaching to tackle low and we have to practice that. We will in scrimmages but the first day (in full pads) we just wanted them hitting up a little bit more and warming up. Overall I thought it was a really good start.”

Montana junior quarterback Jordan Johnson started the scrimmage in impressive fashion. He hit tight end Clay Pierson on a rollout pass up the sideline after spotting the senior in one-on-one coverage with linebacker John Kanongata’a.

Pierson sat out the final 15 minutes of practice with turf toe but overall he enjoyed a breakout week in balmy conditions. Delaney expects him to play an important role in his offense.

“It was a great week; I was tickled with it,” said the 6-foot-3 Pierson, who hails from Twin Bridges. “It’s a good feeling to get going again, start hitting and get the cobwebs out.

“I think the offense did well today. The third-down competition at the start we did really well.”

Montana’s defense also had its moments, particularly in live 7-on-7 competition. Senior corner Anthony Goodwin was up to the task when Taylor Walcott tried to burn him on a deep pattern. Senior safety Bo Tully made his presence felt with a well-timed hit to blow up a pass play between the hashes.

Missoula product Zack Wagenmann foiled a reverse play when the Griz went back to 11-on-11 competition. Later sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Kose put the defense in celebration mode after picking off a short pass by reserve quarterback Trent McKinney.

“The guys kept their intensity,” Delaney noted. “We lost a little bit right there at the end with the kicking game when (center/snapper) Kjelby Oiland tweaked his hamstring. But he’ll be fine. It’s one of those things you have to practice that just like anything else.”

The Grizzlies will endure their first two-a-day on Sunday, with their second practice open to the public. That will be a scrimmage at about 7:45 p.m. inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

“I would expect high energy, a lot of emotion,” Delaney said. “We’ll be going full speed. It will be a lot of situation stuff, what we call a controlled scrimmage.

“We’ll place the ball in different places on the field and different situations. It will be a mixture though of best against best and we’ll get a great evaluation and see where we’re at after Sunday.”

Notes: Redshirt freshman Ben Weyer, a backup at right guard, has sat out the last two practices with a hamstring injury ... Delaney said Saturday that true freshman tight end Josh Horner of Great Falls left the team because he is uncertain whether he wants to continue playing football. The coach said he respects Horner’s decision and would welcome him back at the semester if he chooses to return ... Montana will have a total of three scrimmages during fall drills, with the second scheduled for Saturday at about 10:10 a.m.
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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZFRph8WAK0[/youtube]

Delaney pleased with energy and execution level of his team in practice #3

http://www.gogriz.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080813aad.html

Aug. 8, 2013

The University of Montana Grizzlies wrapped up practice number three today (Thursday, Aug. 8) in Washington-Grizzly Stadium on another extremely warm afternoon, and head coach Mick Delaney was pleased with the sharpness that his players displayed today.

"Pre-fall football is a challenge, both to the coaches and to the players," Delaney said. "I've always believed that if you get the coaches out there with a lot of energy then the players will have energy, and everyone who is around will have energy. I thought today it was probably warmer than it's been the last two days, and we still have a very good, crispness and execution.

"We had one offside on defense and one off-side on offense, and that's not too bad," he continued. "We've got a lot of good things happening. It's a matter of the old football cliche `you've got to get better each day.' We had T-shirts this summer saying `Did Our Opponents Get Better Today' - and I believe today that we got better.

"I think we're getting some really good leadership from our seniors," Delaney said. "Those seniors have taken a leadership role in their own way. (Senior defensive tackle) Alex Bienemann is at the best he's been at since coming to the University of Montana.

"He's (Bienemann) working real hard, and you can go right down the line," Delaney said. "(Senior linebacker) J.P. Kanongata'a has been the player of the day the last two days. He's not one of our so-called elected captains, but he certainly is a leader. I really believe our seniors, and even some of our juniors, are great leaders. I am just really excited about that."

Many of the principle are players back from an offense that returns seven-plus starters. Last season Montana led the Big Sky Conference and was ranked 11th in the country in total offense (452.27 ypg) and rushing (235.73 ypg), and tied for 27th in scoring (31.64 ppg) return.

A big part of that successful offensive out-put was the offensive line, which returns six players who started two games or more a year ago - plus UM has some talented young players who provide good depth.




Leading the way on the offensive line is All-America Danny Kistler Jr. at right tackle. Kistler was voted as one of Montana's co-captains on offense this season, along with junior quarterback Jordan Johnson.
Also back with starting experience are centers Kjelby Oiland and Logan Hines, guard William Poehls, and tackles Trevor Poole and John Schmaing.

The O-line also has quality depth with a couple of returning lettermen, and five up-and-coming redshirt freshman from the Grizzlies' stellar recruiting class of 2012.

Kistler (6-8, 315, Sr.) has started the past three-plus seasons at both tackle (2012) and guard (2010 and 2011), and was a preseason All-America selection. Poehls (6-8, 345, Sr.) missed spring drills due to an injury, but started all 11 games last season.

Oiland (6-4, 290, Sr.) and Poole (6-5, 290, Jr.) both started the first nine games of the year last season. Oiland was an honorable mention all-league pick last season. Hines (6-4, 290, Jr., 1V) had two starts at center last year.

Sophomore John Schmaing (6-7, 291) had two starts a year ago and will push Poole for the starting berth at left tackle. Max Kelly (6-7, 274) and Clint LaRowe (6-2, 275) are two talented redshirt freshmen vying for playing time at tackle.

Players expected to contribute at guard include junior Jordan Hines (6-4, 291), Samson Kaleikini (6-5, 280, So., 1V), and redshirt freshmen Devon Dietrich (6-4, 270), McCauley Todd (6-7, 295), and Ben Weyer (6-4, 270).

"That's a good looking group, and I've said through the summer that I think we've got eight guys, maybe even nine, that can go in and play on the O-line," Delaney said. "We didn't have that luxury at Colorado State (where he was an assistant coach for 15 seasons prior to coming to UM). We have those eight guys that can come in and play any time and not hurt us."

The kicking game concluded practice much better today, as three players went a combined 5-of-6 on field goal attempts from 33 and 36 yards out. Sophomore Chris Lider and true freshman Ben Worst made both of their tries, while redshirt freshman Harrison Greenberg was 1-of-2, but missed his 33-yard attempt because of an errant snap.

GRIZ CAMP NOTE: Freshman tight end Josh Horner (C.M. Russell High School) has left the team for personal reasons.

GRIZ STAT(S) OF THE DAY:

MONTANA RANKS AMONG NCAA WINS LEADERS IN FCS OVER PAST 12 SEASONS (2000-2012, Through games of Nov. 17, 2012)

FCS Most Victories:

Team.......................Wins

Montana....................142

%Appalachian St.........128

North Dakota...............109

Dayton.....................109

Northern Iowa..............107

FCS Best Winning Percentage

Team.....................W-L--(Pct.)

Montana.................142-36-(.798)

Harvard.................100-29-(.775)

Dayton..................109-34-(.762)

%Appalachian St......128-43-(.749)

%=Moving to FBS in 2014
 
Grizzlies' first scrimmage of fall camp slated for Sunday

http://www.gogriz.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081013aab.html

Aug. 10, 2013

The University of Montana football team will culminate its first week of fall camp practice sessions with a game-type scrimmage Sunday (Aug. 11) evening in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, with the action starting around 7:45 p.m. The scrimmage is free and open to the public.

The Grizzlies have just six practices under their belts so far, as the first fall camp practice was last Tuesday (Aug. 6), and have had one-a-day sessions since then. On Sunday they will hold the first of six two-a-day practices.

Montana is allowed three scrimmages during fall drills, and the second is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, starting at approximately 10:10 a.m. in WGS.

"I always believe that that first scrimmage is like your first test in school in the first semester of the fall," said UM Head Coach Mick Delaney. "We can see exactly where we are at and be able to evaluate what we've done up to this point. That includes both offense and defense, which we install fairly quickly in the fall because we've already worked on it in the spring.

"We throw an awful lot at the players, and we kind of want to see what they've been able to absorb and how the function," Delaney said. "The older guys usually have most of it down, but the younger guys struggle a bit through the whole fall.

"What you want to find out is, have we gone too fast and do we have to slow down a little bit in terms of just they installation stuff, or do we have to speed things up?" he asked. "I think that first scrimmage gives you a good feel with how to proceed through the next week-and-a-half or so of camp.

"Second, I always like to see where we are at discipline-wise," Delaney continued. "We'll have referees for the first time, so are need to see if we jump off-sides or if we commit foolish penalties - that type of stuff. That's always the key that first week.

"And then, obviously the other thing we are looking for is what kind of emotion are the kids playing with, and just the overall atmosphere and feeling the coaches and players have, and are we getting things done the right way," Delaney said.





"That first day (Aug. 6) everyone's excited; Wednesday they're still pretty fired up; Thursday's okay; Friday was a little different because we are out on the grass; and then Saturday is a real test because everyone is looking ahead to Sunday night," Delaney said. "It's our job to keep them focused."
Coach Delaney said a lot was made of his decision to have co-offensive coordinators, Scott Gragg for the running game and Kefense Hynson to oversee the passing game, and the transition has been a smooth one and also very common in professional and college football circles these days.

"It's (UM's offensive scheme) really not a lot different from what we've done in the past," Delaney said. "If you went through the NFL and Divisions I and II in college football, I bet you'd find somewhere in the area of 75 percent of those teams have co-coordinators on either offense or defense, or both," Delaney said.

"The only difference is that you've got two people working together to form a game plan, to put the play-book together and to use their expertise, along with our other coaches, which helps us to all be on the same page and be totally prepared for each game during the season," Delaney said. "It's good stuff.

"We've been preparing for all of our opponents, including App. State, since last spring and working on different schemes on offense and defense, but we don't want to spend three weeks on App. State," Delaney said. "We want to spend the first week or so working on fundamentals, and making adjustments on both sides of the football.

"We think that we are so multiple on offense and defense that we need to prepare for everything," he said. "It's not that9 we're just a read-zone team or that we're just a cover-two team. The things that we are doing on offense and defense really test our guys every day, and by the time we start preparing for the App. State game it's amazing how many things you have already covered to prepare you for your opponents."

GRIZ STAT FACTS: Montana ranked among Division I leaders in wins the past 12 seasons (2000-2012):

Most Wins In Division I
Team ... Wins
Boise State ... 144
Montana ... 142
Oklahoma ... 140
Texas ... 131
Appalachian State ... 128
Southern Cal ... 126

Best Winning Percentage In D-I
Team ... W-L (Winning Pct.)
Boise State ... 144-21 (.873)
Oklahoma ... 140-31 (.819)
Montana ... 142-36 (.798)
Texas ... 131-33 (.799)
Southern Cal ... 126-37 (.773)
 
Catsrback76 said:
Looks like Coach needs to hit the track a bit more! :D
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If I can golf and coach at his age - I will take a few extra pounds. Saw him walking the other day and I believe it is part of his everyday routine. Tough for Butte guys. We like pasties our John's Pork Chop sandwiches. Truthfully, he could be wheel chair bound, but if the Griz win this year the fans will love him. Sounds like his players already do and they have a ton of respect for the man.
 
Interview with Coyle: http://www.kpax.com/news/griz-lineb...ce=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#!prettyPhoto/0/

MISSOULA - The Montana Grizzlies football team has to be excited from the defensive side of the ball as Montana will return 10 of its 11 starters.

There's no doubt that the strength of the team lies in its linebacking core, as Jordan Tripp and Brock Coyle lead the way as defensive captains.

Both have been named a preseason All American, but Coyle was just an honorable mention for the Big Sky's All Conference team last year, and he's fired up looking to have a breakout campaign in 2013.

"For me personally I didn't achieve what I wanted to. I feel like I was under appreciated in the league, and I can't wait to get back out there and play this season," Coyle said.

The Griz will go full pads on Saturday, and their first fall scrimmage is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. on Sunday.
 
Keep an eye on Coyle.....he's going to have an awesome senior year :thumb: Man we have good linebackers.
 
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