What Is 1917 Montana Grizzlies football team

Overview

The 1917 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1917 college football season. Competing as an independent program, the team operated without conference affiliation and was led by head coach Jerry Kennedy in his second year at the helm.

The season reflected the challenges of wartime conditions during World War I, which affected college athletics across the nation. Despite limited resources and roster disruptions, the Grizzlies took the field for five documented games, finishing with a 2–3 record.

• Record: The team posted a 2–3 overall record, winning two and losing three games during the abbreviated season.
• Coach:Jerry Kennedy served as head coach, continuing his leadership from the previous season into 1917.
• Home Field: Games were played at Washington Field in Missoula, the university's primary athletic venue at the time.
• Opponents: The Grizzlies faced regional rivals including Gonzaga, Idaho, and the University of Washington.
• Wartime Impact:World War I influenced team operations, with many students enlisting and affecting roster stability.

Season Schedule and Results

The 1917 season featured a compact schedule of five games, typical for the era and reflective of the national climate during global conflict. Travel limitations and manpower shortages led many colleges to reduce their football commitments.

• September 29: Lost to Gonzaga Bulldogs 0–14 in a season-opening defeat in Spokane, Washington.
• October 6: Defeated Idaho 14–7 in a home game, marking their first win of the season.
• October 13: Beat Montana State 12–0 in the annual Brawl of the Wild rivalry game.
• October 27: Lost to Washington 0–20 in a road game against the Pacific Coast Conference team.
• November 10: Concluded the season with a 14–21 loss to Gonzaga in Missoula.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1917 season can be better understood by comparing it to adjacent years in the program’s history, highlighting performance trends and continuity.

The table shows a decline in win percentage during 1917 compared to the previous two seasons, though the team maintained consistency in scheduling regional opponents. The impact of World War I is evident in the reduced number of games and coaching disruptions seen in the following year.

Why It Matters

The 1917 Montana Grizzlies season is a historical marker of resilience during a time of national crisis, illustrating how collegiate sports adapted during wartime. Though modest in record, the season preserved athletic tradition amid uncertainty.

• Historical Record: The season is preserved in the University of Montana’s official football archives as part of its early legacy.
• Rivalry Continuity: The Brawl of the Wild game against Montana State continued uninterrupted despite wartime challenges.
• Player Development: Several athletes from this era later served in the military, linking sports to broader societal contributions.
• Coaching Legacy: Jerry Kennedy’s tenure laid groundwork for future program development before he departed after 1917.
• Wartime Context: The season exemplifies how college football persisted even during global conflict and national mobilization.
• Foundation for Growth: These early seasons helped establish Montana’s football identity, leading to future conference affiliations.

The 1917 campaign, though brief and under-documented, remains a testament to perseverance and the cultural role of college sports during difficult times. It underscores the Grizzlies’ enduring presence in intercollegiate athletics.