Griz A Handful For The Eagles Behind Miller

College football’s spin doctors can be every bit as creative as those who work the political arena.

Take, for instance, a press release statement concerning tonight’s 6:05 George Gee Governor’s Cup matchup between Montana and Eastern Washington at Albi Stadium.

It notes that the winner has gone on to win the Big Sky Conference championship in each of the past five seasons.

What it doesn’t note is that the winner of the Montana-Idaho State game has gone on to win the Big Sky title in four of the past five seasons. So has the winner of the Montana-Cal State Sacramento game. And the Montana-Montana State game.

Sure, Eastern unexpectedly shoved its way past the Grizzlies to claim the Big Sky crown on its way to the semifinals of the Division I-AA playoffs in 1997. But the Eagles’ magical run hardly puts them in the same class as Montana, which dominated the Big Sky and national scenes during the 1990s by winning five conference titles - including the last two - and earning seven consecutive I-AA playoff berths.

Granted, EWU played the Grizzlies as tough as any Big Sky team the past decade, but the Eagles have lost six of the last seven games in the series, including last year’s 25-7 debacle in Missoula, where Montana intercepted seven passes.

That leaves coach Paul Wulff reluctant to label the series a full-blown rivalry.

“I think there’s mutual respect among the two programs,” he said. “Their kids and our kids understand that when you get into this game it’s highly competitive and, most of the time, a great game to watch.”

That should be the case again tonight, considering both teams are ranked in The Sports Network I-AA poll. The Grizzlies (2-1 overall, 0-0 in the Big Sky) sit in the No. 9 spot despite a season-opening 10-9 non-conference loss to Hofstra. They lead the Big Sky in total offense with an average of 509.3 yards per game. Eastern (3-1, 2-0) is ranked No. 18 and boasts the league’s stingiest defense, which is allowing only 272.5 yards per game.

But the Eagles continue to battle an injury epidemic that has robbed them of four starters in the offensive line. And that could be a telling factor against a veteran Montana defense that labors in the huge shadow of the Grizzlies’ offense.

Adding to the Eagles’ problems is uncertainty at quarterback. Backup Chris Samms has taken most of the snaps at practice this week while Fred Salanoa recovers from a concussion he suffered against Weber State last weekend.

Wulff has said he will not name a starter until game time.

Montana’s first-year coach, Joe Glenn, will, however, and it will be a good one. The Grizzlies are led by All-America and Payton Award candidate Drew Miller, who has thrown for 1,120 yards and nine touchdowns in three games.

Notes

A crowd of more than 12,000 is expected. … Eastern offensive guard Asim Poston remains doubtful because of a shoulder injury… . Offensive tackle Kurt Sigler has been declared out for the season because of a preseason concussion.