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Show rrY Signpost 9 With no professional sports franchises, Grizzly football's as big as it gets in the Big Sky state By Jessica Schreifels cflitor-in-( hicf I The Signpost MISSOULA, Mont. The University of Montana Grizzlies had one thing Saturday afternoon that the Weber State University Wildcats never had this season - a packed stadium cheering them on. The Montana stadium was filled with 21,583 spectators in Saturday's game, and according to so me Grizzly fans, the numbers were pretty weak compared to what the team usually sees at their home games. "It's usually this packed," said Kathy Nattha, a Grizzly fan who travels 120 miles to see the football team play. "We've had sell-out crowds." I ler husband, Ken, agreed. He said he thinks the weather may have contributed to the lower number of attendees, which usually' pack the stadium that can fit over 25,000 fans. "It's later in the year, and the weather is colder," he said. "Usually, it's sold out." Kathy said it is common for a lot of people to travel as far as they did or even further to come and watch the Griz play. "You know, there's really not any other big sports attractions in this whole state," she said. "There's a lot of hometown guys that are playing on the team. That's why everybody has really gotten behind the Griz'." Ken said people travel from everywhere to watch the team. "Oh yeah, they come from all around the state," he said. Two other Montana fans, Ann and Don Boehlke, said they also hear about a lot of fans travelling from all over the state to see the team play, but they only live 20 miles South of Missoula. "It's amazing, especially at (Montana State University) Bobcat games," Don said. "Out here, people talk about how far away they came from. They come from all around the state." Ann said she's used to seeing the stadium more packed as well, and also said the weather was a contributor to the declined number of people in the usually full stands. "It's usually more packed," she said. "The weather last night said we might have some freezing rain, so that was probably a part of it." Ann said they come to every "Signpost Relaxing living X nuubii ly anarxcbiuci iLcLire mm km ' , University of Montana fans watch dodges a tackle during Saturday's football game, and are season ticket holders. "It's fun," she said. "Our team always wins. All but once." But for the Wildcats, they didn't find the loud Grizzly crowd to be intimidating. "For me, it was exciting," said junior safety Beau Hadley. "Yeah, most of the cheering was against us, but that's called football. It's something you've got to use to 15 off with WSU student body card student and immediate family Serving all your vision needs 1 135 West Riverdale Road Riverdale, UT 84405 801-393-9076 t r xA 'V attentively as Weber State University game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. motivate you so you can silence the crowd." The Wildcats will have to wait until next season to see if they can replicate the same kind of atmosphere at home at Stewart Stadium than they experienced in Missoula. Comment on this story at't wsusignpost.com. Dr. Dale E.Thompson WSU Alumni Optometrist at Target Optical J i 4 ' A PMOIO BV CATHERINE MORTIMER J Hi SIOSFOST running backTrevyn Smith WSU lost the matchup 24-13. Call and you could save. Class dismissed. Convenient local office Money-saving discounts Low down payments Monthly payment plans 24-hour service and claims Coverage available by phone Local Office ItxislOfHie (801)775-8020 Ask about Student Discount fi ii)"V p-'viwnl i Lmv mwl ft'.tluif". .w not .w.nl.tNf in at m all UHC O ontVtiw CiOvtvnmrnt tmiloYftM wwl irmn.inte Co UlkU ImK-nvuty '.o CitKO dsu.ilty Co Ihcw? cohhmmiv ,nc ubMtKinm ol Koithiie rMlluwjy itx. i". .i.il .iiai.i.iM MA .l H I) W.r.liuKjInh. IX !)( O MM UK O IIh- (.IK 0((ixkti U H O ll'll AW lniiif.ini e Co UUCU U 1 ' Bittersweet end for WSU seniors Seniors play final game, proud of history-making season despite loss By Gentry Reinhart asst. sports editor I The Signpost . It goes without saying that Saturday's loss was a tough one for the Weber State University Football Team. After a season filled with ups and downs, the Wildcats finished as one of the best teams in program history. It was still hard to lose to the University of Montana. "We wanted more," said WSU seniorcornerbackThyrell Lewis. "We had a good season, but to go out with a loss like this is not good." Lewis is one of several seniors that will be missed next year, but the tough loss didn't make him forget what was really important about being part of this exceptional team. "Everybody was a family this year," Lewis said. "We were teammates, and we stuck together and played through adversity." The defense will lose several starters to eligibility graduation this May, but according to the underclassmen they will leave a legacy behind along with a high level of expectation and commitment to excellence. "I just want to thank the seniors," said WSU junior safety Beau Hadley. "They've done something that has really helped us to continue to expect to win. They really set the tone for us underclassmen." The offense, while not losing as many seniors as the defense, will also have its share of graduating standouts, including one Wildcat who may be playing on Sundays, fullback Marcus Mailei. Mailei's mother, Sini Mailei," has been to all of Marcus' games and was just as invested in Saturday's game as her son. "This has been a family affair," Sini said. "We have loved every game they have played, and every kid is special to us." Players' families congregated at the 20-yard- A. I err 1 C i r Monday, December 8, 2008 '- : : .... i- : v " t . L'"4- i 1 - PHOTO BY CATHERINE MORTIMER IHt SICNPOS1 Weber State University senior receiver Chris Uribe is consoled by Montana's Andrew Swink after Saturday's 24-1 3 FCS playoff loss. line on the western side of the stadium and made plenty of noise as the Wildcat defense tried to hold the Grizzly attack. When Weber State was on the offensive, they held placards and cheered the team down the field. The loss was definitely hard to take for the Wildcats as it quelled their playoff hopes and brought an end to the phenomenal season they had worked so hard for. The bitterness was apparent with some players who were hoping to win a national title. "We're not satisfied with being runner up," said WSU senior safety Scotty Goodloe. "We wanted to go to the nationals, and we knew to do that we were going to have to win today, but we didn't come out and execute and play Wildcat football and the better team won today." Even with a disappointing end to the season the seniors and their families can look back at a year of victories and defeats knowing that the things they accomplished in this season will be counted as one of the best in Weber State history. And with so many players returning next year, along with Head Coach Ron McBride, they can look forward to many more seasons of exciting Weber State football. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. 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