Here’s also something from a Falcons’ blog on the improving fortunes of safety Shann Schillinger, who like Mariani was a late-round draft pick.

-Fritz Neighbor

-Fritz Neighbor

I mention it because FAMU is also referenced in this 2003 column by former Sports Illustrated write Steve Rushin, in which he recounts one band, during the “Fifth Quarter,” playing a little-known tune off an Earth, Wind & Fire album — and the other following with the next track off the same record. I enjoyed both articles, so I thought I’d pass them along.

-Fritz Neighbor

I did have a little trouble verifying this. Pflugrad was shy about his birthdate, and an internet search brought up his coaching profile from Arizona State, and this birthdate: Nov. 29, 1958. That makes him 51. But I wrote he was 52 back in January, and I had to get that from him, right? Because I honestly don’t remember.

Plus he is a 1976 graduate of North Eugene High School. That would make a very young graduate — roughly 17 1/2 years old. Anyway, great trivia from Chris, who adds this bon mot: The Grizzlies have won 9 of their last 11 home openers, with the two losses coming in 2000 to Hofstra and 2003 to North Dakota State. Those happened to be the home openers for new UM coaches Joe Glenn and Bobby Hauck as well.

-Fritz Neighbor

Fields, Montana State University’s athletic director, said his conversations with WAC commissioner Karl Benson haven’t included overtures or hints about joining the WAC. In his words:

“Karl and I are friends. I’ve known him a long time, but I haven’t spoken to him about this.”

Last week O’Day, Montana’s AD, said his conversations with the WAC were limited to talks with ADs from that league’s schools, but it seems like Benson would be more proactive than that. Especially now that Hawaii is mulling football independence and membership in either the Big West or the WCC for other sports.

-Fritz Neighbor

This Fresno Bee story has the WAC collecting a $5 million fine from each departing school, withing 60 days. So says WAC commissioner Karl Benson, adding:

“In a 12-hour period, the WAC went from having a secure and prosperous future to once again not knowing what the future will hold.”

Even if it’s for the time being, it’s kind of nice to be on the outside of this looking in, isn’t it? The Griz like where they’re at, and should. They can jump off that bridge if and when they get to it.

-Fritz Neighbor

“I live in Missoula and I have attached a photo that was taken by us earlier today (Aug. 15) on top of a mountain in Afghanistan, unfortunately I cannot disclose the location.  We just finished hiking up the mountain to our job site.

“We just wanted to show our support and pride for the Montana Griz football team, you guys are awesome and we hope to see you go far this upcoming season, we all wish we could be there to see you play, but we are all routing for you.”

Pretty awesome stuff. Also awesome: One of the guys in the picture is actually from Delaware, so perhaps there is another photo with a Blue Hens’ banner somewhere out there. Thanks for the photo, men, and keep up the good work, and stay safe.

They are, from left to right (I hope): Sergeant John Crowe of Missoula, Sgt. Mitchell Cales of Missoula, specialist Donald Chaney of Ronan, Sgt. Fransico Morazan of Helena, private first class Keith Dietz of Hamilton, Spc. Kristopher Krause of Missoula and Sgt. Lawrence Gregg from Delaware. Another Missoulian, Michael Lowe, took the photo.

-Fritz Neighbor

I left some things on the cutting room floor. One story  I had “Hack” retell me centered around the Grizzlies’ return to the Division I Football Championship in 1996: UM chartered a big plane – Hack remembered it being a DC-10 – and filled it to the rafters.

“It was snowing like mad,” he said. “We loaded the bays of that plane completely full, and we ended up taking 30 bags up and putting them on the plane with us, because they wouldn’t fit underneath.”

The plane was heavy, and as a result it took a while to get airborne. Almost too long, Hackney said. He became worried when he saw the smokejumping center slip past the window.

“It’s snowing like crazy and and everybody’s celebrating,” he said. “There were two of us watching, and we’re sweating. We just about ran out of lights on the runway when they finally pulled the nose up on the plane.”

They made it to Huntington, W.Va., of course, where Marshall pinned a 49-29 loss on the Griz. They got back safe, too, though Hack pointed out the plane was probably even heavier. Christmas shopping, you know.

-Fritz Neighbor

Thought it was funny the first time I saw it — it dates back at least a couple years to the Phillip Fulmer Era at UT — and it’s still pretty good. Makes you wonder why I fan, in this day and age, has yet to get a camera and riff on somebody in the Big Sky Conference.

-Fritz Neighbor

South Dakota isn’t a hotbed for Griz recruiting — I only found three Grizzlies who came from Mount Rushmore State, including linebacker Kent Clausen (Aberdeen, 1976-79) — and in fact Hermanson had offers from every Division I (FCS) school in the Dakotas. Plus, his dad, Washington High coach Brian Hermanson, was a South Dakota State Jackrabbit from 1978-80.

Brian Hermanson, as it turned out, played alongside Mike Breske for two of those years, and Breske is UM’s defensive coordinator. So there ya go. Either that or UM’s monumental comeback over SDSU in the 2009 FCS playoffs tilted young Matt to Montana.

- Fritz Neighbor, Missoulian