The linebackers at the University of Montana have generally been a sturdy lot that, if they’re not graduating players to the NFL, are overstaying their welcome in the Big Sky Conference.
After John Kanongata’a, Jordan Tripp and Brock Coyle left a sea of running backs behind at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in 2013, Herbert Gamboa, Jeremiah Kose and Kendrick Van Ackeren came in like a second wave – a tsunami that lasted two years.
It could be happening again.
“I think people figured we would have a big drop off,” said Josh Buss, a sophomore outside linebacker for the 2-0 Montana Grizzlies. “But we had all these seniors that lead the defense and that we look up to. And everyone’s focused on the same thing, and that’s the most important thing to us.”
Montana sophomore linebacker Josh Buss (42)/by Brooks Nuanez
Buss is an interesting story himself, in that his high school career included no snaps at his current position. In fact the 205-pounder played only running back as a prep in Boise, Idaho.
Now he’s lining over a tight end and flanking 240-pound junior Connor Strahm. Those two plus 215-pound junior James Banks have refortified a position group that sent Coyle, Tripp and Caleb McSurdy to the NFL in the past five years. Kanongata’a and Gamboa also earned shots to play professional football, while Van Ackeren and Kose were each two-time All-Big Sky selections.
So far – and Cal Poly will test them Saturday – it’s been a seamless transition, even with a new defensive coordinator, Jason Semore, added in. And Buss has really stood out.
“Josh Buss is making plays, but he’s doing the things we’re asking him to do,” Semore said. “He’s not just out there trying to make plays because he wants to be the playmaker. He’s executing his job. It just so happens he’s making plays.”
Buss – further proof that linebackers have the best names – has forced a fumble and shares the team lead with Strahm with 1.5 sacks. His 16 tackles trail only safety Justin Strong (18) on the Griz.
And while Strahm has the look of a middle backer, Buss plays bigger than his frame.
“I was his host on his official (recruiting) trip here,” Strahm said. “When he walked in, and he said they wanted him to play outside linebacker, I was pretty surprised. He was probably about 185 pounds.”
Montana junior middle linebacker Connor Strahm (10), pictured here against Montana State in 2015, is thriving as UM’s man in the middle/ by Brooks Nuanez
Buss was surprised, too, and that was before his first practice, looking across at towering linemen John Schmaing and Ben Weyer.
“I got out there and thought, ‘What am I doing?’ ” he said.
These days he’s doing damage, along with Strahm (12 tackles) and Banks (10). To this point, their performance has not surprised the junior middle backer.
“No, you know what, not really,” Strahm said. “I’ve been pretty close friends with James Banks for a long time (the two attended Sheldon High in Eugene, Oregon), so I knew what he would bring to the table. Tough, hard-nosed kid. And after watching Josh Buss these last two years, I knew he’d be a playmaker the moment he got a shot to play.”
One indication came in 2014, when the redshirts participated in a “rookie bowl,” a full-contact scrimmage usually set during a bye week.
“(Buss) came flying up and hit a running back in the hole,” Strahm remembered. “We knew he was going to redshirt, but that opened my eyes: ‘This kid can play.’ ”
“Eventually, people are going to game plan for (Buss) because he’s dynamic,” Semore noted. “And then it’s somebody else turn to step in. That’s how you become a dynamic defense: You have multiple guys who make you pay if you double them.
“For example, last year (FCS Defensive Player of the Year) Tyrone Holmes (now playing defensive end for the Browns) – if you doubled him, now somebody else has to step up and make a play.”
Strahm notes some changes for the better.
Montana linebackers Josh Buss, left, and Connor Strahm take down Saint Francis running back Marcus Bagley in 2016/ by Jason Bacaj for Skyline Sports
“The ability to go with a three-man front, with a standup linebacker on the line, has been a pretty big addition to our defense, with the players we have,” he said.
Last year’s crew was stout, though Strahm noted it was susceptible to the big play. He referenced the double pass Weber State executed on its first offensive snap in the 2015 game. It went 38 yards and set up a touchdown in what was an upset loss for the Griz, a 21-14 overtime WSU victory that served as Weber’s first in Missoula since 1987.
It still bugs him.
“We don’t seem to have the big play mental let-downs,” Strahm said. “Teams haven’t tried the trick play on us this year. But when they do, we’ll be ready.”
It is quite the crew. Banks, a 6-foot-1, 215-pounder who set a Sheldon record with 182 tackles while earning Oregon 6A first-team All-State honors for the Irish’s state title team, spent a year at the New Mexico Military Institute and two more at Alabama-Birmingham before UAB dropped football. Strahm is also part of the Sheldon High pipeline that includes former Griz quarterback Jordan Johnson.
When Buss was playing for Mountain View High in Boise, Idaho, pulling guards were not the danger they are now. He drew no offer from the hometown Broncos and found a home with the only school that wanted him to play defense. He’s all about the run-fits now.
Montana linebacker Connor Strahm (10) tackles Montana State wide receiver Jayshawn Gates in 2015/by Brooks Nuanez
“All credit there goes to our linebackers coach, Coach (Travis) Niekamp, and to the guys,” Semore said. “They took ownership of that and they were excited for the opportunity and they worked hard and took advantage of it.”
The proof is in lockdown performances against Saint Francis and national power Northern Iowa. And it should be no big surprise, say this latest batch of linebackers.
“I’m going to go ahead and agree with Connor,” said Buss. “As long as we give 100 percent effort – film, practice – then it all pays off.”
Photos attribution noted. All Rights Reserved.
Skyline Sports correspondent Jason Bacaj contributed the Semore quotes in this story. Fritz Neighbor is a freelance journalist living in Missoula. He has covered the Grizzlies since 2002 with stops at the Billings Gazette and the Missoulian.
