MISSOULA - When Shawn Lebsock and Shann Schillinger arrived at the University of Montana five years ago, they were following in some big footsteps.

But neither Grizzly had an inkling of the success that was in store.

Lebsock, a linebacker from Billings Skyview, and Schillinger, a safety from Baker, became part of a class that has gone 28-1 in Big Sky Conference games since 2006.

"Obviously, I knew Montana had always been successful, but that's pretty impressive," Schillinger said. "You always plan to win, but I don't know if people realize how hard it is to win even one game.

"We've been pretty fortunate."

If the second-ranked and undefeated Grizzlies can beat winless Idaho State on Saturday, they will clinch at least a share of their 12th consecutive league crown.

Clearly, Lebsock has a head for the game. As the son of Billings Skyview coach Ron Lebsock and a former star with the Falcons, he should.

Lebsock is just one in a line of immediate family members to play for the Grizzlies, starting with his dad, who was a center from 1974 to '77.

Shawn's older brother Matt played from 2003-06, while his younger brother Nick, who has since left the program because of injury, suited up in 2007 and 2008.

"It's been great," Shawn said. "Growing up we always had the Griz games on. It was a big deal to be recruited and go here. Playing with my brothers has definitely been a great experience.

"It's great to play in your home state and to have a great fan base and a great following. It seems like Griz fans are everywhere."

Ron Lebsock has watched his son mature into a sound football player.

Shawn Lebsock, who won a State AA championship with his dad at Skyview in 2004, leads the Grizzlies with 56 tackles. His 246 career stops rank near the top 20 in Griz history.

"He's always had a real good motor,"Ron Lebsock said. "He's always been one to develop it, too. He takes a lot of pride in his effort in the weight room and working on his position and technique. The other thing is he's always been a great student of the game."

Schillinger also comes from Grizzly stock. His father, Jim, played running back at Montana in 1969-70.

Jim Schillinger now serves as an assistant coach to his brother, Don, at Baker High School, where they schooled Shann in the game.

"I was fortunate enough to have a dad and an uncle as coaches," Shann Schillinger said. "Football is something I always loved. From kindergarten up. Mom would drop me off at practice, and I'd go home with dad. I was always around it. I fell in love with the game."

Shann was a multifaceted talent with the Spartans, helping them to three State B championships in four seasons.

But Don Schillinger, one of the winningest high school coaches in the state, figured his nephew would play offense at Montana.

"Playing safety in college, it's a totally different role than what he did for us," Don Schillinger said. "I thought maybe when he went to Missoula his best position would be receiver. He was pretty fast. And he was quick and had good hands. But he became a defensive back, and it's been good."

Schillinger had 108 tackles in a breakout year last season playing alongside Colt Anderson. He's off to a comparable start this season, having registered 39 tackles through eight games.

Montana coach Bobby Hauck is well aware of the leadership Lebsock and Schillinger bring. So are their teammates, who voted the duo and receiver Marc Mariani captains before the season began.

"First of all, they're two of the best guys you'll ever meet," Hauck said. "They're great leaders on the football team, and those leadership skills come from their background. They grew up around football, they understand how teams work, and they bring the other guys along with them."

Montana's defense has had its share of struggles through the first half of the season.

Though the Grizzlies rank second in the Big Sky in total defense at 368.5 yards allowed per game, they're giving up 280 of those through the air.

But the Grizzlies harassed Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins last Saturday, picking off four passes in a 31-10 victory.

"We've had a couple games where we haven't quite been the Griz defense we're used to," Lebsock said. "Last year it was similar. Early in the year we were doing some uncharacteristic things, but we picked it up and became a good defense. We became a better team.

"It's not like our defense is playing bad right now Defense is playing bad, it's just a combination of good offenses and a couple mistakes here and there. Don't see why we can't follow lead of last year's team and make a good run again."