One game at a time. Survive and advance. Our University of Montana Grizzlies proved last week that there is no quit in this team. After a rollercoaster regular season, the Griz got back on track after beating SEMO in the first round of the FCS Playoffs to prove to all the doubters that they belong.  

At one point early in the third quarter, Montana was trailing SEMO 24-3. However, a timely kickoff return for a touchdown by #19 Malik Flowers sparked a comeback for the ages. The Griz scored 31 straight points and won the game 34-24. The Montana defense refused to let off the gas and didn’t allow a single point for the rest of the game. The less-than-full crowd inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium was raucous and could be heard clear as a bell during the national broadcast on ESPN2. 

Bring on the Bison

Now Montana has all the momentum they need and they are going to definitely need it this week as they face a familiar foe. The Griz will head to Fargo to take on the No. 3 and defending national champion North Dakota State Bison. Kickoff from the Fargodome on Saturday is set for 1:30 p.m. and it will be one of Montana’s toughest tests yet. 

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The Bison are known for having a dominant power run game, but Montana has a nationally-ranked defense that focuses on stopping exactly that. Before giving over 400 yards on the ground to Montana State a few weeks ago, Montana was only allowing an average of 96 rush yards per game. This game is going to be won in the trenches and Montana can’t have a repeat performance like the one they had against the Bobcats if they want any chance of winning. 

Who Remembers 2015?

When Montana fans hear anything about NDSU, they immediately think of two games. First, they might remember when the Griz hosted the Bison to open the season in 2015 and earned one of the most prolific wins in school history on a last-second score. Second, fans might remember facing NDSU that same season in the FCS Playoffs in Fargo. As most know, the Bison got the last laugh and ended Montana’s season. That was the last time these two FCS perennial powerhouses faced off. The players this year might be different, but there is still bad blood from both fanbases. 

NDSU have won nine FCS Championships in the past 11 years. They won in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. If the Griz want to dethrone the champs, they have to play their absolute best for a full 60 minutes. If not, their season will be over. Take the fight to them. Don’t play scared. This team has gone through so many ups and downs this season, but that has also made them stronger. Let’s go into their house and shock the nation. Go Griz! 

How to Watch and Listen

The ESPN+ streaming service will be the only place to watch the game. No over the air, cable, or satellite broadcast will be available. The NCAA owns and manages all broadcast rights to playoff events, and partners with ESPN to distribute those games. 

"Voice of the Griz" Riley Corcoran and analyst Greg Sundberg will bring you the action live from Missoula right here on KGVO, the flagship station of the Grizzly Sports Radio Network. You can listen to the game on 98.3 FM, AM 1290, online at newstalkkgvo.com, or on the FREE KGVO App.

"Grizzly Gameday" starts two hours before kickoff each Saturday with the official pregame radio show featuring our own Denny Bedard and Scott Gurnsey, who then throw to Corcoran and Sundberg 30 minutes before kickoff. Bedard and Gurnsey will also host the official post-game show.

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