Montana Football Vaults Into Top-10 Ahead of Showdown in Moscow
The first complete performance of the year from the Montana Grizzlies football team came on Saturday at UC-Davis in the scorching sun.
Montana defeated the then-ranked #18 (Media Poll) UC-Davis Aggies 31-23 thanks to a robust offensive performance, a well-adjusted defensive effort and an all-around tremendous showing by the special teams.
"Against Davis last week, that was a good win over a good team," said Head Coach Bobby Hauck at this week's press conference. "Though we played well on offense, played well on defense and just had an absolutely dominant special teams performance."
Montana Grizzlies in the Polls
The top 20 road win was enough to elevate the Griz all the way up to #10 (up from #13) in the Coaches Poll. It's the highest ranking in either the Coaches or Media Polls.
Coaches held the Griz' road win in high regard, but the media didn't see it the same way. In the STATS Perform FCS Top 25, Montana inched forward to #16 (up from #17). The Griz have a massive chance to silence all the doubters when they travel to Moscow this Saturday for a late-night showdown against the #3 Idaho Vandals (5-1, 3-0).
Idaho's offense will give any defense issues. Arguably, Idaho possesses the best weapons in the Big Sky Conference. Running back Anthony Woods leads the conference with 662 yards (7 yards per carry). Wide Receivers Hayden Hatten and Jermaine Jackson are both in the top 11 in yards per game.
It will be a true test, but good luck staying awake. Kick-off is 8:30 pm on ESPN2. If you get sleepy, turn on the radio broadcast on KGVO and online at newstalkkgvo.com.
FCS Coaches Poll (Media Poll in parenthesis, if different)
- South Dakota State
- Montana State
- Idaho
- Furman (5)
- Sac State (4)
- Incarnate Word (7)
- North Dakota State (6)
- Delaware
- North Carolina Central (14)
- Montana (16)
- Holy Cross (12)
- William & Mary (11)
- Southern Illinois
- Western Carolina (9)
- North Dakota (15)
- Florida A&M (18)
- South Dakota (10)
- Harvard (19)
- UT Martin (17)
- Chattanooga (25)
- Youngstown State (23)
- Rhode Island (Unranked)
- Weber State (22)
- New Hampshire (Unranked)
- Central Arkansas (20)
- Eastern Washington is unranked in the Coaches Poll, #21 in the Media Poll
- Albany is unranked in the Coaches Poll, #24 in the Media Poll
Aaron Fontes Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week
Lastly, congratulations to Griz Wide Out Aaron Fontes for being named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week. Fontes hauled in 5 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns, including one cirucs-like, diving grab.
Every Montana/Montana State Player in the NFL For 2023
Gallery Credit: Will Gordon