Photo by: Garrett Becker
FIRST LOOK: Bobcats, Grizzlies Get Together for 119th Time on Saturday
11/19/2019 2:40:00 PM | Football
The Treasure State's ancient rivalry has rarely produced two better foes
Summary: Montana State faces its fourth straight opponent fresh off a big win Saturday when streaking Montana invades Bobcat Stadium. The Grizzlies own four straight wins and seven in their last eight, and enter weekend play battling for the Big Sky title. Montana rides an offense as explosive and dynamic as it is diverse. Senior quarterback Dalton Sneed throws for 280.6 yards per game, maintains a 19-to-8 TD-to-Int ratio, and also chips in 25 rushing yards a game. The workhorse in the run game is Marcus Knight, gaining 77.5 yards a game with 18 touchdowns. Nick Ostmo and Adam Eastwood also contribute. But the team's most dynamic playmakers flank Sneed on the UM perimeter. Receivers Samori Toure (1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns) and Samuel Akem (848 yards, five touchdowns) are two of the top weapons in the FCS. Linebacker Dalton Sneed, a tackling machine, leads the Grizzlies defense, while Robby Hauck adds 108 tackles. Defensive end Alex Gubner leads UM with four interceptions.
2019 Record: Montana stands 9-2 on the season, 6-1 in Big Sky play, and have won four straight. Three of those games came in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, resounding wins over Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Weber State.
2018 Record: The Grizzlies posted a 6-5 record, 4-4 in the Big Sky and tied for sixth. UM lost its final game a season ago.
Current Conference Standings: Montana State stands 5-2 in the league, and is tied with Eastern Washington for fourth place. Montana is 6-1 in the conference, one of three teams knotted at the top of the standings. Sacramento State beat the Grizzlies and Weber State was thundered in Missoula last week. Weber beat the Hornets.
Preseason Conference Prediction: Everyone saw the Cats and Griz right next to each other in the Big Sky standings last summer, but not quite as near the top as the teams stand now. The league's coaches picked the Grizzlies fourth and the Cats fifth, while media members flipped that script.
Rankings: Montana State is ranked 8th in the STATS FCS and FCS Coaches polls. Montana is 3rd in both.
MSU vs. Montana
Series: UM owns a 73-40-5 (does not include UM's vacated 2011 win) advantage, but the Cats have won three straight.
Jeff Choate vs. Montana: 3-0 (1-0/2-0)
Jeff Choate vs. Bobby Hauck: 1-0 (0-0/1-0)
Bobby Hauck vs. MSU: 5-3 (3-1/2-2)
Griz Leaders
Rushing: Marcus Knight 185-853-18, Nick Ostmo 75-294-2, Dalton Sneed 72-224-5
Passing: Dalton Sneed 208-311-8, .669, 2,525 yards, 19 TDs, 150.1 passing efficiency rating
Receiving: Samori Toure 63-1,052-10, Samuel Akem 59-848-5, Jerry Louie-McGee 49-424-3, Marcus Knight 26-239-1
Tackles: Dante Olson 133 (8.5 for loss), Robby Hauck 108 (4 for loss), Jace Lewis 104 (7.5 for loss)
Sacks: P. O'Connell 6.5, Jace Lewis 4, Dante Olson 2.5, Jesse Sims 2.5
Interceptions: Alex Gubner 4, Dareon Nash 2, Nash Fouch 2
About the University of Montana
One of the state's flagship institutions, the University of Montana occupies 56 acres beneath Missoula's Mt. Sentinel. The school was created by the Montana legislature on February 15, 1893, and first held classes on September 11, 1895. Buildings began springing up around UM's Oval in 1895, and the cornerstone of University Hall was laid in June 1898. Among the school's 11 full colleges is the internationally-recognized school of journalism. UM's School of Law is nationally respected, and among its programs is the Montana Innocence Project, which works tirelessly to exonerate persons wrongfully convicted in the state. The University's notable alums include rocker Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam, actors George Montgomery and Carroll O'Connor, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina (Obama administration), and Pulitzer Prize-winning author A.B. Guthrie, Jr., along with a host of professional athletes.
About Montana State University
Established in February, 1893, classes began at Montana's Land Grant school in the old Academy building on Main Street, near Holy Rosary Catholic Church, on April 17, 1893. Montana State's academic excellence is borne out in its students – in the past two years alone MSU has produced a Rhodes Scholar, Goldwater Scholars (MSU leads the nation in this category), Marshall Scholars, Udall Scholars, and Newman Civic Fellows. The school is among the top three percent of U.S. colleges and universities in research expenditures, and is one of only 69 four-year schools in the country with the Carnegie Foundation's designation of "very high research activity" along with "significant commitment to community engagement." Montana State offers nationally-recognized programs in engineering, architecture, accounting, immunology, and several others. The schools counts among its prominent alums immunologist Maurice Hilleman (whose work is credited with saving hundreds of thousands around the world), Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree Elouise Cobell (granted posthumously in 2016), Olympic silver medalist Lance Deal, cowboy poet Wally McRae, astronaut Loren Acton, basketball player and television host Craig Kilborn, writer and journalist Sarah Vowell, and NFL Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud.
What's in a Name?
The Agricultural College of Montana was founded as the state's ag school under the Morrill Act, which had been signed by President Lincoln in 1862. During its first 70 or so years it was known at different times as Montana State Agricultural College, Montana State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and Montana State College. The University in Missoula was founded just before the school in Bozeman, and convened for classes two years after the College (as it was often referred to colloquially). It was known as the State University of Montana and Montana State University, although references to the University of Montana also exist early in the 20th century. The official appearance of 'state' in the name of each school never seemed to faze the physically and intellectually resilient residents of the Treasure State throughout that time, although it creates confusion in opposing schools' media guides. This was all sorted out in the mid-1960s, when the school in Bozeman became Montana State University and the Missoula school officially took the University of Montana moniker.
What the Pundits Say
Paul Schwedelson, Bozeman Chronicle – "The Bobcats and Grizzlies have been on a collision course since the start of the season. The intensity ramping up to this game is always high, but this year both teams enter the matchup ranked in the top 10 and are eyeing a trip to the playoffs. For now, the postseason doesn't matter to these bitter rivals. MSU head coach Jeff Choate described it as a "forever game," meaning players' legacies can be cemented if the Bobcats secure a fourth straight rivalry win for the first time since the 70s. If last year was any indication, anything can happen when these teams square off."
Greg Rachac, Billings Gazette – "The Cat-Griz game is always intense, but it's even more meaningful this year as both teams are ranked in the top 10 with potential playoff seeding up for grabs. The Bobcats will put the No. 1 rushing offense in the Big Sky Conference up against the Grizzlies' No. 2-ranked rushing defense, but a bigger key might be how MSU's defense can affect quarterback Dalton Sneed, the man who makes Montana's offense tick.
Sam Herder, HERO Sports – "From a national perspective, the stakes for this game have reached a level not seen for several years. With both Montana State and Montana getting back into the national picture, there are playoff seeds on the line in this huge showdown. There will be eyes on this game from all across the country, as it should be for these two great programs and this great rivalry." (NOTE: Sam Herder will cover his first Cat-Griz game on Saturday)
Colton Pool, Bozeman Chronicle – "This is going to be an intense matchup between two longtime nemeses. Not only is this Montana State's rivalry game, but the outcome will go a long way toward playoff positioning. Their strength up front on both offense and defense will be critical for the Bobcats."
Colter Nuanez, Skyline Sports – "Every year, so much is made about the all-time record between Montana and Montana State. While the Grizzlies enter Saturday's showdown, the 119th rendition of the historic, fierce rivalry, with a 72-40-5 all-time advantage, that number hardly tells the story of the modern history of the rivalry. For many years, the 'Cats and the Griz did not play in the same division. But in 1963, which both teams serving as charter members of the Big Sky Conference, the playing field became more even. And the ebbs and flows began as the pendulum swung to extremes on both sides for the last four decades of the 20th century. Montana State won 17 of the first 23 Cat-Griz games of the Big Sky era, mounting six-game winning streaks twice and posting a three-game winning streak from 1983 until 1985 to cap off a run of dominance. The Grizzlies responded with a run that came to be known as "The Streak", a span of 16 straight rivalry wins from 1986 until 2001. But when Junior Adams scored on a slant pass from a freshman named Travis Lulay, it ushered in a new era of the rivalry. That touchdown helped Montana State snap the streak with a 10-7 win in Missoula. Since then, Montana and Montana State have been almost dead even with the Grizzlies winning nine rivalry games and Montana State claiming eight. MSU enters this year's game on its first three-game rivalry win streak since that run in the early 1980s. But the Grizzlies are riding high after blasting No. 3 Weber State in Missoula last week. Saturday's showdown marks the first time in the rivalry's history that both teams enter the game with eight wins under their belts already. It's just the second time that both teams are ranked in the Top 10 in the national polls. Jeff Choate can further solidify his place in Bobcat lore with a fourth straight win and a group of in-state products like Brayden Konkol, Derek Marks, Josh Hill, Mitch Brott, Logan Jones, Jered Padmos and Marcus Ferriter will certainly all contribute if MSU is to win again. Bobby Hauck has a chance to swing the momentum back to his side of the rivalry in his second stint as Montana's head coach as the Griz will likely return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, win or lose. Saturday's game is one of the biggest in the 21st century history of the rivalry and certain pits two of the best teams in the Big Sky against one another to finish the regular season for the first time in a long time. As Choate said in his Monday press conference, this is how it should be and this is what the Big Sky Conference is all about."
2019 Record: Montana stands 9-2 on the season, 6-1 in Big Sky play, and have won four straight. Three of those games came in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, resounding wins over Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Weber State.
2018 Record: The Grizzlies posted a 6-5 record, 4-4 in the Big Sky and tied for sixth. UM lost its final game a season ago.
Current Conference Standings: Montana State stands 5-2 in the league, and is tied with Eastern Washington for fourth place. Montana is 6-1 in the conference, one of three teams knotted at the top of the standings. Sacramento State beat the Grizzlies and Weber State was thundered in Missoula last week. Weber beat the Hornets.
Preseason Conference Prediction: Everyone saw the Cats and Griz right next to each other in the Big Sky standings last summer, but not quite as near the top as the teams stand now. The league's coaches picked the Grizzlies fourth and the Cats fifth, while media members flipped that script.
Rankings: Montana State is ranked 8th in the STATS FCS and FCS Coaches polls. Montana is 3rd in both.
MSU vs. Montana
Series: UM owns a 73-40-5 (does not include UM's vacated 2011 win) advantage, but the Cats have won three straight.
Jeff Choate vs. Montana: 3-0 (1-0/2-0)
Jeff Choate vs. Bobby Hauck: 1-0 (0-0/1-0)
Bobby Hauck vs. MSU: 5-3 (3-1/2-2)
Griz Leaders
Rushing: Marcus Knight 185-853-18, Nick Ostmo 75-294-2, Dalton Sneed 72-224-5
Passing: Dalton Sneed 208-311-8, .669, 2,525 yards, 19 TDs, 150.1 passing efficiency rating
Receiving: Samori Toure 63-1,052-10, Samuel Akem 59-848-5, Jerry Louie-McGee 49-424-3, Marcus Knight 26-239-1
Tackles: Dante Olson 133 (8.5 for loss), Robby Hauck 108 (4 for loss), Jace Lewis 104 (7.5 for loss)
Sacks: P. O'Connell 6.5, Jace Lewis 4, Dante Olson 2.5, Jesse Sims 2.5
Interceptions: Alex Gubner 4, Dareon Nash 2, Nash Fouch 2
About the University of Montana
One of the state's flagship institutions, the University of Montana occupies 56 acres beneath Missoula's Mt. Sentinel. The school was created by the Montana legislature on February 15, 1893, and first held classes on September 11, 1895. Buildings began springing up around UM's Oval in 1895, and the cornerstone of University Hall was laid in June 1898. Among the school's 11 full colleges is the internationally-recognized school of journalism. UM's School of Law is nationally respected, and among its programs is the Montana Innocence Project, which works tirelessly to exonerate persons wrongfully convicted in the state. The University's notable alums include rocker Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam, actors George Montgomery and Carroll O'Connor, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina (Obama administration), and Pulitzer Prize-winning author A.B. Guthrie, Jr., along with a host of professional athletes.
About Montana State University
Established in February, 1893, classes began at Montana's Land Grant school in the old Academy building on Main Street, near Holy Rosary Catholic Church, on April 17, 1893. Montana State's academic excellence is borne out in its students – in the past two years alone MSU has produced a Rhodes Scholar, Goldwater Scholars (MSU leads the nation in this category), Marshall Scholars, Udall Scholars, and Newman Civic Fellows. The school is among the top three percent of U.S. colleges and universities in research expenditures, and is one of only 69 four-year schools in the country with the Carnegie Foundation's designation of "very high research activity" along with "significant commitment to community engagement." Montana State offers nationally-recognized programs in engineering, architecture, accounting, immunology, and several others. The schools counts among its prominent alums immunologist Maurice Hilleman (whose work is credited with saving hundreds of thousands around the world), Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree Elouise Cobell (granted posthumously in 2016), Olympic silver medalist Lance Deal, cowboy poet Wally McRae, astronaut Loren Acton, basketball player and television host Craig Kilborn, writer and journalist Sarah Vowell, and NFL Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud.
What's in a Name?
The Agricultural College of Montana was founded as the state's ag school under the Morrill Act, which had been signed by President Lincoln in 1862. During its first 70 or so years it was known at different times as Montana State Agricultural College, Montana State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and Montana State College. The University in Missoula was founded just before the school in Bozeman, and convened for classes two years after the College (as it was often referred to colloquially). It was known as the State University of Montana and Montana State University, although references to the University of Montana also exist early in the 20th century. The official appearance of 'state' in the name of each school never seemed to faze the physically and intellectually resilient residents of the Treasure State throughout that time, although it creates confusion in opposing schools' media guides. This was all sorted out in the mid-1960s, when the school in Bozeman became Montana State University and the Missoula school officially took the University of Montana moniker.
What the Pundits Say
Paul Schwedelson, Bozeman Chronicle – "The Bobcats and Grizzlies have been on a collision course since the start of the season. The intensity ramping up to this game is always high, but this year both teams enter the matchup ranked in the top 10 and are eyeing a trip to the playoffs. For now, the postseason doesn't matter to these bitter rivals. MSU head coach Jeff Choate described it as a "forever game," meaning players' legacies can be cemented if the Bobcats secure a fourth straight rivalry win for the first time since the 70s. If last year was any indication, anything can happen when these teams square off."
Greg Rachac, Billings Gazette – "The Cat-Griz game is always intense, but it's even more meaningful this year as both teams are ranked in the top 10 with potential playoff seeding up for grabs. The Bobcats will put the No. 1 rushing offense in the Big Sky Conference up against the Grizzlies' No. 2-ranked rushing defense, but a bigger key might be how MSU's defense can affect quarterback Dalton Sneed, the man who makes Montana's offense tick.
Sam Herder, HERO Sports – "From a national perspective, the stakes for this game have reached a level not seen for several years. With both Montana State and Montana getting back into the national picture, there are playoff seeds on the line in this huge showdown. There will be eyes on this game from all across the country, as it should be for these two great programs and this great rivalry." (NOTE: Sam Herder will cover his first Cat-Griz game on Saturday)
Colton Pool, Bozeman Chronicle – "This is going to be an intense matchup between two longtime nemeses. Not only is this Montana State's rivalry game, but the outcome will go a long way toward playoff positioning. Their strength up front on both offense and defense will be critical for the Bobcats."
Colter Nuanez, Skyline Sports – "Every year, so much is made about the all-time record between Montana and Montana State. While the Grizzlies enter Saturday's showdown, the 119th rendition of the historic, fierce rivalry, with a 72-40-5 all-time advantage, that number hardly tells the story of the modern history of the rivalry. For many years, the 'Cats and the Griz did not play in the same division. But in 1963, which both teams serving as charter members of the Big Sky Conference, the playing field became more even. And the ebbs and flows began as the pendulum swung to extremes on both sides for the last four decades of the 20th century. Montana State won 17 of the first 23 Cat-Griz games of the Big Sky era, mounting six-game winning streaks twice and posting a three-game winning streak from 1983 until 1985 to cap off a run of dominance. The Grizzlies responded with a run that came to be known as "The Streak", a span of 16 straight rivalry wins from 1986 until 2001. But when Junior Adams scored on a slant pass from a freshman named Travis Lulay, it ushered in a new era of the rivalry. That touchdown helped Montana State snap the streak with a 10-7 win in Missoula. Since then, Montana and Montana State have been almost dead even with the Grizzlies winning nine rivalry games and Montana State claiming eight. MSU enters this year's game on its first three-game rivalry win streak since that run in the early 1980s. But the Grizzlies are riding high after blasting No. 3 Weber State in Missoula last week. Saturday's showdown marks the first time in the rivalry's history that both teams enter the game with eight wins under their belts already. It's just the second time that both teams are ranked in the Top 10 in the national polls. Jeff Choate can further solidify his place in Bobcat lore with a fourth straight win and a group of in-state products like Brayden Konkol, Derek Marks, Josh Hill, Mitch Brott, Logan Jones, Jered Padmos and Marcus Ferriter will certainly all contribute if MSU is to win again. Bobby Hauck has a chance to swing the momentum back to his side of the rivalry in his second stint as Montana's head coach as the Griz will likely return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, win or lose. Saturday's game is one of the biggest in the 21st century history of the rivalry and certain pits two of the best teams in the Big Sky against one another to finish the regular season for the first time in a long time. As Choate said in his Monday press conference, this is how it should be and this is what the Big Sky Conference is all about."
Players Mentioned
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