Swogger enjoys second chance with playoff-bound Montana

The former Ursuline standout left Washington State for the Grizzlies.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
MISSOULA, Mont. -- Hungry to play his final season of college football, Josh Swogger took a chance and switched schools and teams.
The bold and risky move paid off: His new team is ranked No. 2 in the nation in NCAA Division I-AA and has qualified for the postseason playoffs -- and he is a big reason for all of the success.
Here is how Swogger's story unfolded.
A native of Vienna and an Ursuline High graduate and former quarterback for the Irish, Swogger spent his first three years of college at Washington State University with the Cougars' football team.
Dissatisfied with the limited amount of playing time he was getting there, he transferred after last season to the University of Montana and its very successful football program, and then won the starting job at quarterback for the talented Grizzlies during spring practice.
Now, after leading Montana to a 10-1 record, including 8-0 in the Big Sky Conference for the Grizzlies' ninth straight championship, and a No. 2 ranking in the nation, Swogger finds himself in more new and successful territory -- the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
Montana has qualified for the postseason for the 14th straight year, with a possibility down the road of playing against Youngstown State for the national championship. The Grizzlies and Penguins will have to win three straight games to advance to the national showdown.
Montana, guided by fourth-year coach Bobby Hauck, will open the playoffs Saturday at home against McNeese State (7-4) at 2:05 p.m. The winner will play the winner of Saturday's Southern Illinois (8-3)-Tennessee-Martin (10-2) first-round game on Dec. 2.
YSU, meanwhile, will launch the postseason Saturday at home against James Madison at 7:30 p.m.
Swogger happy, grateful
Swogger is happy and grateful the way things turned out after switching to Montana, and is savoring the success and looking forward to more worlds to conquer in the playoffs.
"I feel good. We had a great season. Our only loss was against Iowa [41-7], after which we were able to put together 10 wins in a row and [achieve the other successes]," said Swogger, who believes his team learned something about itself despite losing to the Hawkeyes.
"We realized it was 17-7 going into the fourth quarter before Iowa's depth took control. We realized we could play against a team of that caliber, and that game served as a springboard for us into our league season."
Montana sealed the league title and playoff spot last Saturday with a 13-7 win at home over No. 15-ranked Montana State, behind Swogger's passing attack.
Swogger, playing before a record crowd for Washington-Grizzly Stadium of 24,018 fans, completed 17 of 41 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.
His 54-yard TD pass to junior wide receiver Eric Allen in the third quarter enabled Montana to overcome a 7-3 deficit and take the lead for good.
Through 11 games, Swogger has completed 143 of 275 (51.0 percent) passes for 2,003 yards and 11 TDs with nine interceptions for a 119.84 passing efficiency.
His five main targets are receivers Ryan Bagley with 42 catches for 552 yards and four TDs, Eric Allen, 41 catches for 653 yards and four TDs; Craig Chambers, 32 catches for 537 yards and four TDs; Mike Ferriter, 27 catches for 354 yards; and Rob Schulte, 13 catches for 152 yards.
Lauds system, coaches
Swogger said that he came into a good system with good coaches and receivers.
"I think it's a good system," he said. "We kind of use a run-and-shoot system. [Offensive coordinator] Steve Phenicie has been running [the offense] a long time. He knows [what receivers] will be open and who will not be open. And Steve Axman is our QBs coach and he joined us in the preseason. They really work well together."
Swogger said the offense is well-prepared by the coaches.
"We always have a good game plan going into the week and are able to execute well Saturday," said Swogger, who really likes his receivers. "We have a lot of great receivers who can do great things after they catch football."
Hauck took over Montana's winning program four years ago and has maintained the success with a 39-12 record to date, including 24-5 in the Big Sky Conference for four straight league crowns.
He guided the Grizzlies to successive records of 9-4 (5-2 in Big Sky), 12-3 (6-1) and 8-4 (5-2) from 2003-05.
Will graduate next May
Swogger, the son of Jeff and Andrea Swogger, is not finished at Washington State because he plans to graduate from his former school next May.
"I will just have to transfer credits [from Montana] and they will send my diploma," said Swogger, who is majoring in history and plans to complete his collegiate academic requirements by December when the first semester ends at Montana. Then he will transfer his final credits to Washington State.
Swogger said his parents were on hand to see Montana's game against Montana State last Saturday, but will not return for Saturday's game, "but if we win hopefully they will come for the following weekend."
Swogger is hoping that his Grizzlies get a shot at Youngstown State in the national championship game.
"It would be fun to play against them. I have a couple of buddies on the team," said Swogger.
kovach@vindy.com