SNOW HOPES TO SNAP BOWL GAME SKID
by Adam Mason
Salt Lake Tribune

Badgers Sixth Consecutive Year In
Top Of The Mountains Bowl

SANDY — Eighth-ranked Snow College (9-2) will look for its first bowl win since 2006 in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl when it takes on No. 3-ranked Grand Rapids Community College (9-1) Saturday at noon in Rio Tinto Stadium.

It'll be the sixth consecutive year that the Badgers have had the honor of playing in the bowl game. While it's not for the national championship this year, the Badgers know there is plenty at stake.

"This is a great honor for us," said sophomore wide receiver Mazi Ogbanna. "We get to represent past teams and the future."

Snow College will be facing its third opponent that runs the triple-option.

Grand Rapids has the No. 6-ranked offense in the NJCAA, putting up 462 yards a game this season.

The first time this defense had to play against an option team was New Mexico Military, where they allowed 54 points, including 37 in the first half. Snow did come back to win the game, but according to defensive coordinator Justin Decol, the Badgers' defense had to learn something about themselves that night.

"We went into the half and we challenged them," Decol said. "Many of the kids would tell you that game was the turning point for the season."

"It's not going to be anything new (playing GRCC)," said sophomore defensive back Taylor Jeski (Uintah High School). "It's been nice to play two other option teams."

Snow will also be taking on a stingy Raider defense that only gives up an average of 273 yards per game, good enough for No. 15 nationally. According to sophomore running back Tyson Church the offensive line is going to play an important role.

"We need the offensive line driving them back," Church said. "We all need to work together and we will."

"Their (GRCC) defensive line is really aggressive," said offensive coordinator Tyler Hughes. "They get to the ball really well; bottom line is we need to execute."

Snow is no stranger to being in the top 20 in total offense and defense.

This year, they rank No. 17 in total offense, putting up 390 yards per game, and rank No. 19 in total defense by only giving up 278 yards per game.

"We're a pretty explosive offense," said sophomore quarterback Quinn Mecham (Timpview High School). "We want to go out and prove what we're capable of doing."

Head coach Steve Coburn stated that the Badgers' defense must limit Grand Rapids explosive plays, and Snow's offense must sustain drives and stay out on the field.

"They've all put their time and effort to be here," said Coburn. "This is a big opportunity for them."

Snow College will look to bounce back after losing their last regular-season game to Arizona Western, dashing their national title hopes.

"Everybody was on ice," said sophomore linebacker Tyler Osbourne. "We needed to re-focus instead of worrying about losing to Western."

Now they have an opportunity to do something that the teams the past two years haven't done, and that is win a bowl game. As for playing an option high- powered offense, Snow College accepts the challenge.

"Bring it on," Osbourne said. "We're schemed and we're ready."