Montana host to Wofford

MISSOULA – The Wofford football team is looking for some FCS respect as it brings its option attack to Washington Grizzly Stadium against second-ranked Montana today.

Coach Mike Ayers said his No. 11 Terriers (8-3) were surprised when they learned they would be making the longest road trip in school history (2,330 miles from Spartanburg, S.C.) to take on Montana (11-0) in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

“We’ve had a great season and are in a great league, but for whatever reason, the impression is that we were just an afterthought of getting in,” he said.

Wofford, with an enrollment of just under 1,400, is making its second appearance in the FCS playoffs. Montana, with an enrollment just under 14,000, has advanced a record 15 consecutive years.

Wofford won the Southern Conference’s automatic bid into the playoffs by virtue of its 42-31 victory over then top-ranked Appalachian State in September, three weeks after Appalachian State knocked off Michigan.

Wofford uses an option attack and rushes for an average of 318 yards per game, second in the FCS, while passing for 124 yards – 104th among the 116 FCS teams.

Kevious Johnson averages 93 yards rushing per game.

The key for the Grizzlies would be to get an early lead and force the Terriers into a passing game they’re not as comfortable with.

Montana, which has swept its Big Sky foes for two consecutive years, comes in with a more balanced attack.

Cole Bergquist averages 219 yards passing and has 19 TD passes. He also averages 36 yards rushing and has another two scores.

Lex Hilliard leads the Griz ground game with an average of 101 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns this season. Mike Ferriter is averaging 63 yards receiving and has four touchdown catches while Eric Allen is averaging 36 yards and has seven TD receptions.