CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - After plenty of complaints over the years, this was the season that Chattanooga officials vowed to do something about the sorry sod at Finley Stadium.
They tried - and failed. James Madison and Montana both struggled to handle the sloppy turf Friday night in the Dukes' 31-21 Division I-AA national title victory.
A facelift that cost $17,200 proved to be the worst makeover this side of Joan Rivers. The field looked like a golf range by halftime, with numerous divots and bare spots. Throughout the contest, pieces of sod the size of tortillas kept coming loose. Players could be observed flipping divots aside, and struggling to gain their footing.
On several plays, runners slipped to the turf without even being tackled.
The natural grass field was resodded in mid-November, with 1,675 yards of premium quick-stand turf put in place from end zone to end zone. Then the field was painted to look good to the TV audience watching on ESPN2.
But the cosmetic effect could only last so long.
"That's probably the worst field I've ever played on in my life, grade school through college," said JMU quarterback Justin Rascati. "I was really surprised how bad it was for this type of game."
Whether the poor shape of the field effectively changed the outcome was open to debate.
Montana coach Bobby Hauck said it didn't make a difference, but Griz quarterback Craig Ochs said it gave an edge to JMU and its running game.
"It was difficult," Ochs said. "I think it favors a downhill running game. Much of our offense is cutting. And as a quarterback, trying to set up in that stuff is difficult. But we're not making excuses. They had to play on the same field. That wasn't the difference in the game."
The sorry condition of the field has been a sore spot for Chattanooga, and is bound to be a critical issue next year when the city's contract to host the championship comes up for renewal. The NCAA has already announced it will accept bids from other cities to host the title game.
An NCAA official said this week that it would be "prudent" for Chattanooga to consider installing an artificial surface at Finley. Friday's debacle will only strengthen that feeling.
Iron Curtain
A key question coming into the game was whether the Grizzlies could protect Ochs from one of the best statistical pass rushes in the nation. JMU had 55 sacks coming into Friday night, shattering the previous school record of 34.
As it turned out, the Dukes sacked Ochs only once, and that came on the Grizzlies' final possession. The Colorado transfer passed for a career-high 371 yards and three touchdowns.
"We just couldn't get to that guy," said JMU coach Mickey Matthews, referring to Ochs. "He's so big, strong and athletic. It was frustrating. I thought their quarterback played a tremendous game."
Strong start
The James Madison Dukes had outscored their opposition 92-3 in the first quarter heading into the title game.
So of course Montana drove for a touchdown on its first drive, getting hopes high among the Grizzly faithful.
"We felt comfortable," said Jefferson Heidelberger, who caught Ochs' 3-yard scoring pass to cap a 71-yard march. "That was obviously a pretty good drive, we got some key first downs, kept the chains moving.
"It's always nice to top off your first one, especially against a team that's been so good in the first quarter. We just weren't able to maintain that the rest of the half."
The Dukes didn't catch the Grizzlies in total yardage until after Ochs' final pass was intercepted with 6:14 left. They drove 72 yards to eat up the rest of the clock, and ended up with a 446-415 advantage in yards.
Of course, 371 of Montana's yards came courtesy of Ochs' arm.
"That first drive was great, and after that we couldn't sustain anything," said the senior quarterback, who ended the year with 33 TD passes. "We never could establish the running game. The passing game was good, but we strive for balance as a unit, and just weren't able to do that tonight."
Studded tires
ESPN2, which broadcast the game, talked to a James Madison trainer who said the Dukes were using three-quarter inch spikes on their cleats to navigate choppy Davenport Field.
The NCAA limit is half-inch spikes.
"I didn't see their shoes," Hauck said, when the report was mentioned. "That's kind of the officials' job. I really don't know what else to say."