What Is 1913 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1913 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1913 college football season, finishing with a 3–2 record under head coach George Dahlberg, who was in his first year leading the program.

Key Facts

The 1913 Montana Grizzlies football team had a final record of 3 wins and 2 losses
George Dahlberg served as head coach during his first season in 1913
The team played as an independent with no conference affiliation
Home games were held at Washington Park in Missoula, Montana
Notable victories included wins over Idaho (26–0) and Gonzaga (13–0)

Overview

The 1913 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1913 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by first-year head coach George Dahlberg and achieved a 3–2 overall record.

The Grizzlies played their home games at Washington Park in Missoula, a venue that hosted early iterations of the program before the construction of larger stadiums. Though detailed statistics from the season are limited, several game outcomes and opponent records are documented in university archives.

Head coach George Dahlberg began his tenure in 1913, marking the start of a brief coaching stint that helped shape the early direction of the program.
The team finished the season with a 3–2 win-loss record, demonstrating moderate success against regional opponents.
They played as an independent, meaning they were not affiliated with any formal athletic conference during the 1913 season.
Home games were held at Washington Park, a historic field located in downtown Missoula that served as the Grizzlies’ home until the 1920s.
Notable victories included a dominant 26–0 win over Idaho and a shutout of Gonzaga, 13–0, highlighting the team’s defensive strength.

Season Performance

The 1913 season featured a compact schedule of five games, all against regional opponents, reflecting the limited travel and communication infrastructure of the era. Games were typically played on weekends in October and November, with local newspapers providing play-by-play summaries.

September 27, 1913: The Grizzlies opened the season with a win over Missoula County High School, winning 26–0 in a dominant display of early-season form.
October 11, 1913: Montana defeated Gonzaga University 13–0, showcasing a disciplined offensive attack and a strong defensive line.
October 18, 1913: The team faced the University of Idaho and secured a decisive 26–0 victory, marking one of their most significant wins of the season.
October 25, 1913: Montana suffered a close 7–0 loss to the University of Washington, a more established program at the time, in a road game played in Seattle.
November 1, 1913: The Grizzlies concluded the season with a 13–7 win over Montana State, preserving a winning record in the final matchup of the year.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparative table of the 1913 Montana Grizzlies' season results alongside key program milestones from adjacent years.

Season	Record (W-L)	Head Coach	Home Venue	Key Opponent Result
1911	2–2	Walter V. Koenig	Washington Park	Lost to Idaho, 0–12
1912	2–3	Walter V. Koenig	Washington Park	Lost to Washington, 0–7
1913	3–2	George Dahlberg	Washington Park	Beat Idaho, 26–0
1914	2–3	George Dahlberg	Washington Park	Lost to Gonzaga, 0–6
1915	3–2	Perry Havens	Washington Park	Beat Idaho, 14–0

The 1913 season stands out as one of the better performances between 1911 and 1915, matching the 1915 team’s record. The win over Idaho was particularly significant, as Idaho was a consistent rival even in the early years of the program. This victory helped establish a foundation for future competitiveness in the rivalry.

Why It Matters

The 1913 season represents a turning point in the early development of the Montana football program, reflecting incremental progress under new leadership. While not a championship season, its 3–2 record marked improvement over the previous two years and set a precedent for future success.

The season demonstrated the value of consistent coaching, as George Dahlberg’s leadership brought immediate results in his first year.
Victories over regional rivals like Idaho and Gonzaga helped build the Grizzlies’ reputation in the Pacific Northwest.
Playing at Washington Park created a strong community connection, drawing local fans and school supporters.
The season contributed to the growing tradition of Montana–Montana State rivalry games, which remain central to the program today.
Early records like this one are preserved in the University of Montana Archives, supporting historical research and alumni engagement.
The 1913 team laid groundwork for future conference affiliations and the eventual rise of the Grizzlies as an FCS powerhouse.

Though overshadowed by later championship teams, the 1913 Montana Grizzlies remain an important chapter in the evolution of collegiate football in the American West. Their modest success reflected the broader growth of college athletics during the early 20th century.