BILLINGS -- A new football era at Rocky Mountain College kicks off on Thursday night.
That's when the Bears open their 2019 campaign at Dickinson State under new head coach Chris Stutzriem. Rocky won last year's meeting 21-10 at Herb Klindt Field.
This time they're in North Dakota where for the fifth straight year DSU is picked to win the conference. Montana native Pete Stanton is in his fifth year as head coach essentially meaning he's done nothing but win.
The Bears will also have to attack Dickinson quarterback Hayden Gibson who enters this season already the school's all-time passing leader.
"We've got to make sure we get pressure on the quarterback," said Stutzriem. "That's first and foremost. He does a great job of getting rid of the football and really going to the right places at the right time. He's a big, strong kid and throws the ball all over the place and does a tremendous job. It'll be tough, but I've got all the faith in our defensive backs and D-line and everybody."
"Thursday night games, like you come from high school and they're always on Saturday, but Thursday night games, there's nothing like it," said defensive end Mason Price. "Last year it was a Thursday night against Carroll and I've never felt a feeling like that."
Rocky and DSU get under way Thursday night at 6 p.m. Mountain Time.
