Coaches prepare for strong competition

By: Bill Oram
GameDay Kaimin

If the coaches in today’s contest are proven correct, the game will be won by one team’s big guys doing the little things.
Bob Ford, head coach of the University at Albany since 1970, is concerned about Montana’s offensive line. After watching film this week, Griz head coach Bobby Hauck was impressed by the Great Danes’ defense.
When the teams meet today, one side will have to give.
“The offensive line is just, oh it’s huge,” Ford said. “They’re just very talented. It’s easier to say the running backs or the receivers (make the difference) ... but it’s won or lost down there in the trenches.”
Hauck sounded just as impressed by the group that will be facing off against the Grizzlies’ veteran line.
“Last year they were in the top five in the nation in scoring defense, rushing defense, I think total defense,” Hauck said. “They’re definitely talented, in particular in their front seven. They’ve got really good players.”
Montana (2-0) is Albany’s (1-2) highest-ranked opponent this season. The team lost to No. 19 Hofstra last weekend and fell 11-13 against Colgate two weeks prior in a game Ford said the Great Danes “pissed it away, just flat out pissed away.” The losses sandwiched their lone win against Fordham.
The Griz, conversely, are coming off a bye week, but in their first two games Montana outscored Southern Utah and Fort Lewis College by a combined score of 86-17.
Albany’s offensive line is another position Hauck will be watching closely. The unit’s average weight is just less than 300 pounds and is more than any other line the Montana defense has matched up against all season. However, defensive tackle Kelly Kain isn’t worried.
“I think I play against the biggest O-line and I think the most talented O-line every day in practice,” he said. “It will be nothing new. I line up against 330-pound guys every day in practice.”
The Albany offense is led by quarterback Vinny Esposito, who threw for 173 yards without any interceptions in the win against Fordham.
Hauck said he wasn’t sure what to expect from Albany because the Great Danes have used different game plans in each contest this season.
“They do a nice job of emphasizing what they think they have an advantage at, and it will be interesting to see what they decide to run against us,” Hauck said.
However, early this week, even Ford didn’t sound convinced he knew what might help his team beat the Griz.
“If you look at Montana ... you’re trying to find a weakness,” Ford said. “Something that you say, ‘OK, in this match-up we’re going to be able to do certain things.’ There doesn’t seem to be any apparent weaknesses. They have the most impressive team I think we’ve ever seen.”