by The Montana Grizzlies open the season on Saturday with a young, but talented squad. That’s the takeaway observers of UM’s fall camp have noted since the team reported on Aug. 4.
It’s not hard to see why.
Sixty new players have been added to the Griz roster over the past two recruiting cycles. With a 2016 squad numbering 97 total players, that works out to be 61 percent of the Griz roster made up of newcomers (true freshmen through senior transfers) or redshirt freshmen (players who were on the squad last year, but did not play).
A such, 11 Grizzlies will get their first start in Maroon & Silver against Saint Francis. But don’t think that just because they’re new that they’re inexperienced. They only thing many of these players aren’t experienced in, is taking in the awe-inspiring noise on their home turf.
“A lot of those guys are transfers with some experience or an older kid that has already been through a redshirt year,” said second year head coach Bob Stitt.
“It’s exciting for them to start their first game, especially in a place like this. You hope they can handle this type of environment and this excitement, and go out and be able to focus and do their job. We need ’em. We’ve got a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but these guys have got to come in and play like veterans,” he added.
A quick break down of the two-deep shows the wide receivers have two new starters, the linebackers three, two on the D-line, three in the defensive backs and one on the O-line.
At wide receiver redshirt-freshmen Justin Calhoun and Jerry Louie-McGee (Coeur d’Alene Tribe) get their first start, and if you don’t know their names yet, it won’t take long to catch up.
Louie-McGee has been on the radars of Griz fans since April, when he returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the spring game. Since then, he’s been electrifying fans and teammates alike during practices and scrimmages. He gets a start at the “Z” wide receiver position, and he’ll get the nod to return kicks and punts. Considering his performance in spring and fall, it’s a natural fit.
