As the winningest coach in Big Sky history, few teams have a winning record against Montana head coach Bobby Hauck. In his 13 years in the league, only North Dakota holds a winning record, managing a single victory over the Grizzlies in 2018.
This week, No. 4 Montana returns to the site of that loss in Grand Forks for the first meeting since then, facing off against the No. 20/23 Fighting Hawks. Although UND is no longer in the Big Sky, this matchup carries the weight of a rivalry with postseason implications. The game kicks off on Saturday night at 5 p.m. (MT) at the Alerus Center, marking UND’s home opener and their only “night game” this season.
Both teams are eager for a win. Montana, at 1-0, seeks redemption, while North Dakota looks to rebound after losing 21-3 against Iowa State. The Fighting Hawks, led by head coach Bubba Schweigert, were picked fifth in the preseason Missouri Valley Football Conference poll and have a challenging schedule ahead.
Montana’s last meeting with UND ended in a 41-14 defeat, with turnovers playing a crucial role. This week, the Grizzlies aim to make a statement against another Missouri Valley contender, featuring several All-MVFC preseason picks on UND’s roster, including standout Bo Belquist.
WATCH: The game will be featured on the MTN Network, broadcast statewide and available on DIRECTV, FUBO TV, and ESPN+. Alex Heinert and Ryan Kasowski will cover play-by-play and analysis, respectively.
LISTEN: “Voice of the Griz,” Riley Corcoran, will provide commentary through the Grizzly Sports Radio Network, with pregame coverage starting two hours before kickoff.
THE SERIES: This matchup marks the first between Montana and North Dakota since UND left the Big Sky in 2018. Historically, the Grizzlies lead the series 15-9-1, but the last encounter saw UND secure a significant victory.
ABOUT THAT LAST MEETING: In the 2018 matchup, Montana struggled with turnovers, allowing UND to take a commanding lead early on and ultimately suffer a tough defeat.
GRIZ TRACKS
SPECIAL TEAMS: Ty Morrison, in his debut for Montana, made a strong impression, earning Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week honors with a punting average of 45.3 yards.
SATURDAY’S STARS:
- Eli Gillman shone with 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
- Hayden Harris led the defense with 2.5 sacks.
- Vai Kaho, a transfer, also had a standout performance, contributing significantly.
FRESH FACES: Several newcomers made their impact, including safety Chrishawn Gordon and defensive end Andres Lehrmann.
STREAKS ALIVE
Montana’s victory kept numerous streaks intact, including a 13-game winning streak at home and 10 consecutive season-opening wins.
GRIZ IN THE POLLS: Montana dropped to fourth in the FCS rankings this week, while North Dakota moved up to 20th and 23rd.
THE TURNOVER BATTLE: Montana balanced its turnover differential against Missouri State, a crucial stat for success, as the team plans to maintain this trend moving forward.
FAMILIAR FACE: Joe Pawlak, Montana’s new offensive line coach, returns to Grand Forks, where he previously served as a coach for the Fighting Hawks.
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