Yesterday's game between #3 Montana and #20 Eastern Washington here in Missoula was a back and forth affair, with Montana winning 41-34. Montana's premier wide receiver and nations leading punt returner Marc Mariani put on a display that gives opposing coaches nightmares.........especially if your punter doesn't listen to you.
In the first half Eastern punted from deep in its own end and obviously the punter was trying to kick out of bounds. Instead Mariani gets the ball on one bounce just inbounds and streaks 65 yards for a TD.
Then in the 4th quarter Eastern had to punt again. You could see the Eastern coaches yelling at the punter to kick it away from Mariani. Sure enough a low straight punt right to Marc and 82 yards later he has another return for a TD.
After the game the Eastern coach told reporters, "I told him before the first punt to kick it away from Mariani or out of bounds. What happens?.........6 points in 5 seconds. On the second one he tried to get to cute. You don't try to get cute with the best returner in the country and the fastest guy in the Big Sky. Crap, I'd of been happy if he kicked the ball up on that mountain over there. At least the mountain isn't going to return it for a TD."
Anyone for a Weenie Roast?