Two players from the No. 3 Montana Grizzlies released before the opener against Missouri State

MISSOULA – Just before the season opener against Missouri State for the No. 3 Montana Grizzlies, the team released its projected two-man roster Tuesday night.

The biggest question for UM in 2024 after reaching the FCS title game last year is who will play quarterback for the Griz offense. Also in the running are redshirt freshman Keali’i Ah Yat and Fresno State transfer Logan Fife.

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Head coach Bobby Hauck has repeatedly said that both quarterbacks will play, and the two-man formation reflects that with an “OR” between Ah Yat and Fife.

Most of the players on the two-man team are playing the same way UM’s fall training camp went, as the Griz wrapped up last week and are now in game week preparation. To view the full two-man team roster, click here. As always, the two-man team lineup is a prediction and subject to change.

In a deep position group, seniors Junior Bergen, Keelan White and Aaron Fontes are listed as starters at the wide receiver position, while Eli Gillman is listed as the starter at the running back position, with Nick Ostmo behind him.

At tight end, Evan Shafer and Erik Barker are mentioned as the two top options, although the Griz are bringing Cole Grossman back into the team after he missed all of last season.

The offensive line, from left to right, also plays as expected with Cannon Panfiloff, Caade Klimzcak, Liam Brown, Journey Grimsrud and Brandon Casey.

On defense, Ryan Tirrell, Vai Kaho and Cooper Barnum were listed as starting linebackers, with Isiah Childs, Riley Wilson and Erich Osteen listed as No. 2. Many eyes are on Wilson, a preseason All-American who led Montana in sacks last year.

The defensive line is playing as expected, with Hayden Harris returning as the starter at defensive end and being supported by Pat Hayden, who transferred from Monmouth, and Andres Lehrmann, who transferred from Youngstown State.

In the secondary, cornerback Trevin Gradney returns as a starter and is joined by Ronald Jackson, who was a key backup last year. At safety, Ryder Meyer also returns as a starter and is joined by Jaxon Lee, who saw a lot of playing time last year, and Chrishawn Gordon, who transferred from Fresno State and was listed as an “OR” starter along with Jace Klucewich.

For the special teams, Bergen and Drew Deck are listed as kick returners, with Bergen also reprising his role as punt returner. Grant Glasgow, who has been playing a lot recently, has been named starting kicker, while Ty Morrison, who transferred from College of the Canyons, has been named the starting punter. Grayson Pibal will once again play long snapper, as will Meyer as holder.

Gradney, Meyer, Childs, Ostmo and Casey were all recently named captains of the Grizzlies.