After the Montana Grizzlies were eliminated from the FCS playoffs by Sam Houston State, it was hard to look past the game and difficulty of taking the loss. But next year, the Griz have many key players returning to help them defend their Big Sky Conference title. They will return battery mates Quarterback Jordan Johnson, who will be a junior and wide reciever Sam Gratton, who will be a senior. Johnson hit Gratton four times for 90 yards and two touchdowns and Montana almost came back in the loss.

On the defensive side of the ball, a few key players have played their last snaps as a Grizzly. Senior cornerback Trumaine Johnson, a 3 time All-American will graduate along with fellow All-American linebacker Caleb McSurdy. Big departures also include defensive lineman Bobby Alt and Bryan Waldhauser, who will both graduate.

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Luckily for the team, there is young talent hungry to play and eager to prove themselves. The Griz will look to capture another Big Sky title next year. Which would be their 17th outright or shared title in the last 20 years.

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