By Mick Holien
If stats mean anything the Grizzlies ought to enjoy bringing Savannah State and what has been a porous defense to Washington grizzly stadium.
In losing games initially to Georgia, then up the hill in Boone, N.C. against Appalachian State, the Tiger defense has been anything but efficient.
And last Saturday they surrendered three touchdowns in four plays in the span of five minutes.
You have to believe an 11-hour bus ride to Boone took a toll as the early deficit sprang from two TDs to 35-zip at the half.
And the weather gave them nightmares last week, keeping them off campus and living on the lamb.
But Savannah is coming off a three win season in 10 contests – they beat Bethune Cookman, Howard and Norfolk State which represented more victories than the last three seasons combined.
Sophomore J.R. Bell runs the offense after splitting time with a freshman who since has departed the program.
But this is not a program on the rise in the MEAC.
The Tigers made the decision this spring – or probably someone made it for them – to drop to division two after next season in 2019.
The sagrin rankings show the tigers as better than only seven teams in the country.
But then again Valpo is four spots lower only ranked better than four other programs.
In comparison the Grizzlies stand at 152 slightly better than Montana State with Portland State, Cal Poly, UC Davis Sac and Idaho State trailing further down the line.
Ironically northern Arizona which fired veteran coach and former um assistant Jerome soiuers after two straight defeats stands two spots ahead of the grizzlies at 150.
Along the lines of in case you didn’t notice San Diego state where former Griz head Bobby Hauck is the mentor in waiting got a big win over Arizona State with one of Bobby’s special team charge returning a punt for a TD.
When I talked with part time Finley Point resident Howie Long this summer he was surprised to know that both Philadelphia staffers Tim Hauck and Marty Morningweg were on staff where his outspoken son Chris plays.
And after losing to South Carolina in week one former Griz assistant and head coach aspirant Dave Doeren at NC state picked up a W against Marshall.
The coaching tree continues to expand and is starting to resemble hoop.
just sayin’
