What Is 1918 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1918 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1918 college football season, finishing with a 2–2 record under head coach A. R. Kennedy. Due to World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic, the season was shortened and only a few games were played.

Key Facts

The 1918 Montana Grizzlies finished with a 2–2 overall record
Head coach A. R. Kennedy led the team during the abbreviated season
Only four games were played due to World War I and the Spanish flu
The team played as an independent with no conference affiliation
Montana defeated Gonzaga and Idaho but lost to Camp Lewis and Washington

Overview

The 1918 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during a highly disrupted college football season. With World War I ongoing and the global Spanish flu pandemic spreading, many college teams canceled or shortened their seasons, and Montana was no exception.

The Grizzlies managed to play only four games, finishing with a 2–2 record. Despite the limited schedule, the team maintained competitive performances against regional opponents, showcasing resilience amid national turmoil.

Season record: The team finished with a 2–2 overall record, winning two and losing two of their scheduled games.
Head coach:A. R. Kennedy served as head coach, leading the program through one of its most challenging seasons.
Game cancellations: Multiple games were canceled due to World War I mobilization and public health concerns related to the Spanish flu.
Home games: Montana played its home games at Washington Park in Missoula, a modest field used for both football and baseball.
Opponents faced: The Grizzlies played Gonzaga, Idaho, Camp Lewis (military team), and the University of Washington.

Season Results and Opponents

The 1918 season was defined by its irregular structure and limited competition. Travel restrictions, student enlistments, and health concerns drastically reduced the number of available teams willing to play.

September 28, 1918: Montana defeated Gonzaga 19–0 in Spokane, marking a strong start despite pandemic fears.
October 5, 1918: The Grizzlies lost to Camp Lewis Blue Devils 12–0, a military team composed of U.S. Army personnel.
October 19, 1918: Montana beat the University of Idaho 13–0 in Missoula, preserving their winning streak against in-state rivals.
November 2, 1918: The team lost to the University of Washington 14–0 in Seattle, just days before the Armistice ended World War I.
Game forfeits: Several scheduled games were abandoned or forfeited due to quarantine orders and travel bans.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1918 Montana Grizzlies with other regional teams during the same season:

Team	Record	Head Coach	Key Opponents	Season Status
Montana Grizzlies	2–2	A. R. Kennedy	Gonzaga, Washington, Idaho	Shortened
Washington Huskies	1–2	Lorin Ranney	Montana, Oregon, Whitman	Shortened
Idaho Vandals	1–2	James P. Robertson	Montana, Washington State	Reduced
Gonzaga Bulldogs	1–2	William 'Father' Hannon	Montana, Washington	Interrupted
Camp Lewis	3–1	Unknown	Montana, Washington	Military team

The table highlights how regional teams faced similar disruptions, with most playing fewer than five games. Montana’s 2–2 record was respectable given the circumstances, and their victory over Idaho remained a point of pride for the program.

Why It Matters

The 1918 season is a historical footnote that reflects broader societal challenges during wartime and pandemic. It underscores how athletics were deeply affected by global events beyond the playing field.

Historical context: The season illustrates how World War I and the Spanish flu disrupted American college sports.
Team resilience: Despite low roster numbers and health risks, the Grizzlies completed four games, showing dedication.
Military influence: Games against teams like Camp Lewis reflected the integration of military units into college sports.
Program continuity: The fact that Montana fielded a team at all helped maintain football tradition during a crisis.
Pre-NCAA era: College football was still unregulated and decentralized, allowing independent scheduling.
Legacy: The 1918 season is remembered as one of the most unusual in Montana football history.

Today, the 1918 season serves as a reminder of how external forces can reshape sports, and it remains a symbol of perseverance for the Montana football program.