The FCS quarterfinals return to Missoula for the first time since 2011 as No. 2 seed Montana hosts No. 7 seed Furman.
The matchup pits the Big Sky champion vs. the SoCon champion, and it’s a rematch of the 2001 national championship game.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT Friday on ESPN2.
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Furman’s Offense vs. Montana’s Defense
Furman enjoyed the return of quarterback Tyler Huff and running back Dominic Roberto last week after they missed the end of the regular season with injuries.
Huff’s numbers aren’t eye-popping (1,681 yards passing, 9 TDs, 5 INT, 520 rush yards, 5 TDs). But he’s a gamer, owning an 18-1 record against FCS opponents. His play and leadership have earned him plenty of respect, getting voted the SoCon Offensive Player of the Year by the conference’s coaches. Roberto is the team’s leading rusher with 755 yards and nine TDs. The 5-foot-11, 231-pounder sets the tone and runs behind an o-line with three All-SoCon performers: Jacob Johanning (6-3, 276 lbs), Pearson Toomey (6-3, 295 lbs), and Wyatt Hughes (6-3, 282 lbs).
The Paladins score 27.3 points per game (45th in the FCS), rushing for 162.7 YPG (36th) and passing for 189.5 YPG (74th).
They go up against one of the most aggressive defenses in the FCS that feeds off its loud home crowd.
The Grizzlies allow just 14.8 points per game (4th in the FCS), 97.7 rushing YPG (9th), and 214.4 passing YPG (67th).
Alex Gubner (6-3, 284 lbs) is a wrecking machine as a top defensive tackle in the FCS. Linebacker Braxton Hill leads the unit with 96 total tackles. And linebacker Riley Wilson leads the team with 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Montana brings the heat from all angles, getting after opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines. Furman has the fourth-best pass-blocking grade on PFF, a key figure in this one.
Montana’s Offense vs. Furman’s Defense
Clifton McDowell has gone from splitting reps at the beginning of this season to taking over the starting role and being a serviceable quarterback to now being an absolute playmaker for Montana’s offense. He is completing 60% of his passes for 1,493 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions, plus 616 rushing yards and eight scores.
McDowell is the 11th-highest-graded FCS quarterback on PFF.
The Griz are scoring 32.1 points per game (17th in the FCS) and are almost perfectly balanced, averaging 194.4 rushing YPG (16th) and 198.9 passing YPG (68th).
Eli Gillman is the best freshman in the FCS, leading Montana with 899 yards rushing and 10 scores. Nick Ostmo also brings some physicality in the run game, totaling 575 yards and eight scores on the ground. Montana has a talented group of WRs, led by Junior Bergen’s 45 catches for 663 yards and four TDs. Keelan White has 42 receptions for 648 yards and three scores. And Aaron Fontes has 34 catches for 460 yards and five touchdowns.
Montana’s o-line goes 6-6 and 304 lbs, 6-5 and 301 lbs, 6-2 and 300 lbs, 6-3 and 291 lbs, 6-5 and 305 lbs, although starting LT Chris Walker limped off the field late in last week’s game.
Furman is the 11th-graded overall FCS defense on PFF. The Paladins are No. 1 in FCS turnover margin at +17, forcing 26 turnovers and losing nine. They allow just 16.8 points per game (7th in the FCS), 92.7 rushing YPG (3rd), and 220.0 passing YPG (75th).
The stout front seven is led by Luke Clark, who leads the team with six sacks. Linebacker Braden Gilby has a team-high 81 tackles. Veteran safety Hugh Ryan has 71 stops. While Furman is more gettable through the air than on the ground (in part due to teams struggling to find success rushing the ball), Travis Blackshear is a top-tier cornerback in the FCS.
Special Teams
Furman’s Ian Williams has made 18/24 field goals with a long of 52 yards. Ryan Leavy is averaging 41.6 yards per punt, which is 28th in the FCS, including 23 downed inside the 20-yard line.
In the return game for Furman, Joshua Harris has returned 16 punts for 115 yards for a 7.2 average. Wayne Anderson Jr. has 14 kick returns for 361 yards, averaging 25.8 yards per return.
Montana’s Nico Ramos has handled field goal duties lately, going 7-for-7 with a long of 43 yards. Travis Benham is averaging 40.02 yards per punt, including 19 downed inside the 20-yard line.
Junior Bergen is a top return man in the FCS, returning 20 punts for 277 yards and a TD and 11 kickoffs for 248 yards.
