University of Montana Coach Mick Delaney Says Team is Ready [AUDIO]

Head football coach for the University of Montana Mick Delaney said late Tuesday night that his team is primed and ready for the opening game of the season against the South Dakota Coyotes.

Asked how coaches and players prepare for a team that is also playing its first game of the season, Delaney said he knows South Dakota head coach Joe Glenn, once head coach at Northern Colorado, Montana, and most recently at Wyoming, and the way Glenn's assistant coaches think and operate, he has watched films from the last season. Armed with that information, he and his staff have put their game plan together.

Delaney praised the efforts of redshirt freshman Trent McKinney during fall drills, who has clearly won the starting quarterback's position, as well as his experienced offensive line and corps of running backs.

On defense, Delaney acknowledged that cornerback Nate Harris was suspended for the first game for violating team rules, but has great confidence in his replacement, Josh Dennard.

On special teams, Delaney said it's all hands on deck, with all the best athletes participating on kickoffs and punt returns.

Saturday's game will kick off at 1:40 pm at Washington Grizzly stadium.

Head Coach Mick Delaney