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MISSOULA- The Montana Grizzlies are wrapping up practice this week as they get ready to kick off the season against South Dakota, when the 2012 season begins this Saturday in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

We've been following the huge changes to the Grizzly defense for months after Montana lost nine starters from a year ago, and only suit up two seniors on that side of the ball. But the guys are sick of talking about whose shoes they are stepping into, and say they can't wait to make a statement against the Coyotes.

"Just something about this younger group of guys. We've kind of all had a chance to, because we're all about the same age and we've kind of grown up underneath this great group of older dudes, the Waldo's [Bryan Waldhauser], the [Caleb] McSurdy's, the Trumaine Johnson's that just got out of here. We've all kind of got a little bit of a chip on our shoulder, cause we know we have something to prove," defensive tackle Alex Bienmann said.

"What I see is a bunch of young guys that are very, very eager to play the defense the way it's supposed to be played. And that is fast and without any inhibitions," coach Mick Delaney added.

The Griz will face a big, ball-controlling offense on Saturday when Joe Glenn and the Coyotes come to town. South Dakota and Montana kickoff at 1:30. All Griz home games will start at 1:30 p.m. this year, 30 minutes later than in the past.