Football | 11/1/2011 10:44:00 AM

FOOTBALL - WESTERN OREGON AT MONTANA
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 – 12:00 p.m. – Washington-Grizzly Stadium

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MONMOUTH, Ore. – Winners of three straight, the Western Oregon football  team returns to action as the Wolves step out of NCAA Division II play to face nationally-ranked FCS member Montana on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 12:00 p.m. in Missoula, Mont.

Western Oregon enters the contest against the Grizzlies riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Dixie State, 40-28, last week as the Wolves continue to hold a half-game lead on Humboldt State in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference race.

The Wolves (6-3 overall, 6-1 GNAC) defense continues to shine as the unit has allowed just 25.8 points per game and ranks 18th in the nation in rushing defense at 106.8 yards per contest.

Bryce Peila leads the WOU defense as he leads the GNAC and ranks second in Division II with seven interceptions. Scotland Foss ranks seventh in the conference with 7.2 tackles per game while Gavin Drake has 5.5 sacks to rank third in the league.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Wolves are led by quarterback Evan Mozzochi as he ranks second in the league with 16 touchdown passes. The senior signal-caller is throwing for 221.8  yards per game and completing 55.4 percent of his passes.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Trevor Gates leads the GNAC and ranked 10th in the country with 103.75 receiving yards per game. Gates is also leading the league with 53 receptions and has set a WOU single-season record with 939 receiving yards this season.

Winners of five straight, No. 8 Montana enters the week with a record of 7-2 overall, 6-1 in the Big Sky Conference, after the Grizzlies defeated Weber State, 45-10, last week. Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson leads a balanced Grizzlies attack as the sophomore has thrown 13 touchdown passes while averaging 190.6 passing yards per game.

The meeting between the Wolves and Grizzlies marks the first in series history.

Following the game at Montana, Western Oregon will close out the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 12, as the Wolves travel to Arcata, Calif., to face Humboldt State at 1:00 p.m. In the game against the Lumberjacks, the Wolves would claim their first outright GNAC football title with a win.