How Every Big Sky Team Stacks Up Against Montana Football

With the addition of Southern Utah University and Utah Tech University, let’s take a look at the records of every team in the Big Sky Conference against the Montana Grizzlies football team.

Cal Poly played its first game against the Grizzlies in 1969, getting shut out 0–14. Their first conference matchup came in 2013, where they lost a thriller in overtime, 14–21. The Grizzlies have dominated the series overall, holding a 20–5 record against the Cal Poly Mustangs.

UC Davis first played the Grizzlies in 1926, losing 0–21, and then didn’t face them again for nearly 70 years. When they joined the Big Sky in 2013, they were defeated 7–42. In this limited series, the Griz hold the advantage with a 9–2 record.

Eastern Washington played its first game against the Grizzlies in 1938, losing 0–27. Their first conference matchup came in 1987, another loss, 0–22. The Grizzlies have maintained a strong edge in this rivalry, posting a 31–18–1 record against the Eagles.

Rivalry Spotlight: Montana State 

Montana State and the iconic rivalry dates back to 1897, where the Grizzlies lost their first matchup 6–18. Then, in their first Big Sky matchup, Montana took revenge with an 18–3 win. In the “Brawl of the Wild,” the Grizzlies remain in control with a 75–45–5 record against the Bobcats.

Portland State played its first game against the Grizzlies in 1965, losing 7–33. When they joined the Big Sky in 1996, they again fell 17–35. The Grizzlies hold a strong lead in the series with a 36–13 record against the Vikings.

Weber State played its first game against the Grizzlies in 1962, losing 6–25. They joined the Big Sky a year later and won that matchup 19–13. However, the series has been dominated by Montana, which holds a 42–18 overall record.

Northern Colorado is one of the few teams to win its first matchup, defeating the Grizzlies 27–19 in 1976. They joined the Big Sky in 2006 but lost their first conference game 21–56. Overall, the Grizzlies have controlled the series with a dominant 17–2 record.

The Idaho Vandals played their first game against the Grizzlies back in 1903, winning 28–0. As one of the original members of the Big Sky, they left in 1995 and rejoined in 2018, losing their first game back 27–46. The all-time series record favors Idaho at 56–32–2.

Idaho State played its first game against the Grizzlies in 1921, losing 0–25. Their first conference matchup came in 1963, where they won a close game 14–13. However, the Grizzlies have dominated the series overall with a 50–14 record.

Northern Arizona was another team to win its first meeting, defeating Montana 34–8 in 1966. They joined the Big Sky in 1970 but were shut out 0–20 in that first conference matchup. Overall, the Grizzlies lead the series 39–15 against the Lumberjacks.

Although Sacramento State has departed, let’s look at the record they leave behind against the Grizzlies. Their first matchup came in 1993, where they were beaten 7–54. When they joined the Big Sky in 1996, they again lost 17–35. The final series record stands at 22–4 in favor of Montana.

New Additions: Southern Utah and Utah Tech

Finally, we have the two newest additions. Southern Utah University first faced the Grizzlies in 1996 and lost 13–44. As they join the conference this upcoming season, they will look to snap a four-game losing streak against Montana, who currently holds an 8–2 series lead.

Utah Tech University also joins the conference, having lost its first matchup against the Grizzlies 13–31 in 2021. With only a short history between the two, Utah Tech will look to earn its first win, as Montana currently leads the series 2–0.

And that covers every team in the Big Sky Conference, along with Sacramento State as they depart. With the 2026 schedule already released, teams like Southern Utah, Utah Tech, UC Davis, Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona, Idaho, Eastern Washington, Portland State, Idaho State, and Montana State will all look to improve their records against the all-mighty Grizzlies.