MISSOULA — It was heartbreaking to watch.
Reese Phillips had waited five years for his chance to be a starting college quarterback. Then in just his third game with the Grizzlies, a tackle left him writhing in pain, with a gruesome broken leg and dislocated ankle.
Phillips now wants to end his career on his terms. The senior sent out the following tweet on Thursday:
With my injury coming along quicker than expected, I’ve decided to try for a 6th year. I love the game to much to not atleast try…
— Reese Phillips (@ReesePhillips11) January 4, 2018
Phillips will need to petition the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility. He should have a good chance at receiving a hardship exemption, because he didn’t even make it through two and a half games this year.
But don’t expect Phillips to try and come back with the Grizzlies, who have Gresch Jensen entrenched now as the starter. He had the following exchange on twitter after making his announcement:
Unfortunately I don’t think it will be. Go Griz always though!
— Reese Phillips (@ReesePhillips11) January 4, 2018
As a graduate, Phillips could transfer anywhere and play immediately for a final season. He completed 57 of 80 passes for 652 yards and threw four touchdowns and three interceptions with the Griz last year. The Chattanooga, Tennessee native started his college career at Kentucky, where he had very little playing time in three years. He transferred to Montana in 2016, serving as a backup as a junior before winning the starting spot going into his senior season.
