The numbers don’t necessarily add up — “The math doesn’t math,” as the kids say — but the U of Montana has seemed like Linebacker U as far as Big Sky Conference football goes.

Blame the trio of Brock Coyle, Jordan Tripp and John Kanongata’a — they started together in 2013 and Coyle and Tripp went onto the NFL while Kanongata’a got a shot in the Canadian Football League. 

There’s also Caleb “Dirty” McSurdy in 2011 and Patrick O’Connell in 2023-25 and do I even need to drop Braxton Hill’s name to prove my point? 

This year’s Grizzlies, who have not only a first-year head coach in Bobby Kennedy but a first-year defensive coordinator in Eric Sanders, should be stout once again on the second level of defense. Peyton Wing, Solomon Tuiliaupupu and Clay Oven lead a group that includes fifth-year transfers Justin Eklund (Bowling Green) and Naiteitel Mose (Georgetown). 

Sanders has come in with a different philosophy from predecessors Roger Cooper and Tim and Bobby Hauck; not forgotten are the three-man fronts of those blitz-happy Griz; more prevalent will be four down linemen. 

Wing, the Portland State transfer who had 78 tackles for the 2025 Griz, will be the middle linebacker. What’s needed is someone to play “Buck,” which could mean inside backer, outside backer or rush end. 

Sanders has plenty of candidates: Ekland and Tuiliaupupu, for starters. 

“Clay Oven is another guy like Justin or Solo,” Sanders said this week. “Clay is not as big as those guys but is remarkably strong and can set the edge like those guys.” 

Oven wears UM’s 37 legacy jersey; Tuiliaupupu wears 58 and is a big name, and not just because he drew preseason accolades. He was granted a ninth year of eligibility to play this fall, but it was USA Today that did the math — and noted he has suited up for 38 college Saturdays.  

By comparison Coyle, who missed 2010 and 2012 with injuries, played 41 games as a Griz. 

Wing, Montana’s top returning tackler, was asked about learning two defenses in two seasons. 

“It’s challenging each time,” Wing said. “Coach E, he’s so smart, and the stuff he teaches he teaches in great detail. He’s demanding of us: ‘Ask for more, ask for more. We will go as far as you want to take this.’ ”  

Southern Utah, rejoining the Big Sky after four seasons away, is no easy opener a week from Saturday.  This will be the Thunderbirds’ fourth conference in five seasons, since we’re dealing with math that doesn’t math. 

Which brings us back to Wing.  

Quick question: Who are Payam Sadat, Colin Fry and Mark Rhea? Answer: Portland State’s D-coordinators in Wing’s time there, with Fry and Rhea sharing the duties in 2023-24. Add in Cooper and Tim Hauck and that’s a ton of DCs.  

But we’ll let somebody else do the arithmetic. 

Sports Editor Fritz Neighbor can be reached at 406-758-4463 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.