My remembrances of the late Tim Bush

By MICK HOLIEN

The time does fly by. It seems like only yesterday when No. 91 used to prowl the Grizzly front from his end position.

And from 2000 to 2003 there wasn’t any player in UM history who rush the quarterback more effectively than Tim Bush.

It is hard to believe that the Kellogg product has been dead seven years last week after being killed in a mine accident near his Idaho home.

When his eligibility expired Bush has more tackles for loss (50) and more sacks (34.5) that any player before him.

In addition to a pair of title game appearances and the 2001 championship, four playoff appearances and just 10 losses, how dominant those Grizzly teams were.

Montana lost but three conference games and captured four consecutive championships.

I am sure you remember.

The 2000 and 01 team was seemingly unbeatable winning 13 straight only to fall by two to Georgia Southern, then capture 14 in a row and come within a play of registering the only shutout in title game history in beating Furman in the chipper.

In 2003 the Griz broke the FCS record by appearing in its 11th straight playoff as John Edwards was the league’s offensive map and Trey Young garnered the defensive award.

Montana tied the consecutive victory mark with 24 straight in 2002.

From a mining family in the historic Silver Valley, Tim’s family always posted a sign on the side of interstate 90 whenever the Beach buses were scheduled down that route.

Always a popular player a couple dozen of Tim’s teammates attended his 2012 funeral including Young who traveled from California. I also attended his solemn funeral.

Originally a walk-on Tim earned six high school letter and was a two-time team capt in wrestling and football.

All state as a junior on defense he was all state on both sides of the ball as a senior, was voted most inspirational as a senior when he was the school’s student athlete of the year.

At UM Tim was named an All-American by several wire services his senior season, one of five Grizzlies so honored and was first team All League after his junior campaign.

A Facebook page remains memorialize his death and short lived life.

There was not a better teammate. Tim would have been 36 last winter.

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