What Is 1932 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1932 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the 1932 college football season, finishing with a 3–3–1 record under head coach Gus Johnson.

Key Facts

The 1932 Montana Grizzlies football team had a final record of 3 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie (3–3–1)
Gus Johnson was the head coach during the 1932 season, leading the team for the third consecutive year
The Grizzlies played their home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, Montana
They competed as an independent team, not affiliated with a conference
One of their notable games was a 7–7 tie against Montana State in the annual Brawl of the Wild rivalry

Overview

The 1932 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1932 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Gus Johnson, who was in his third year at the helm.

The Grizzlies finished the season with a balanced 3–3–1 record, showing moderate improvement from previous years. Playing their home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, the team faced a mix of regional opponents and maintained a strong presence in the Rocky Mountain football scene.

Season Record: The Grizzlies ended the 1932 season with 3 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie (3–3–1), reflecting a competitive but inconsistent performance across matchups.
Head Coach:Gus Johnson served as head coach for the third straight year, continuing efforts to build a more disciplined and aggressive team culture.
Home Field: All home games were played at Dornblaser Field, a modest venue in Missoula that hosted Montana football for decades.
Non-Conference Play: As an independent program, the team did not belong to a formal conference, allowing scheduling flexibility but limiting postseason opportunities.
Rivalry Game: The season included the annual Brawl of the Wild against Montana State, which ended in a 7–7 tie, preserving the rivalry’s intensity.

Season Performance

The 1932 campaign showcased both resilience and inconsistency, with the Grizzlies demonstrating flashes of offensive potential and defensive grit. Despite limited resources compared to larger programs, the team remained competitive in most contests.

Early Season: Opened with a win over Idaho State (13–6), setting a positive tone for the campaign under favorable home conditions.
Mid-Season Challenge: Suffered a 14–0 loss to Gonzaga, a strong regional opponent that exposed weaknesses in the Grizzlies' defensive line.
Rivalry Stalemate: The 7–7 tie with Montana State was a hard-fought battle, notable for its physicality and lack of scoring breakthroughs.
Season Finale: Concluded with a 20–7 victory over Western State, providing a morale boost heading into the offseason.
Scoring Output: The team scored 84 total points across seven games, averaging about 12 points per game, a modest figure for the era.
Defensive Effort: Allowed 77 points overall, indicating a relatively balanced but not dominant defensive performance.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1932 Montana Grizzlies' season against key benchmarks from adjacent years:

Season	Record (W-L-T)	Head Coach	Home Field	Points For	Points Against
1930	3–4–0	Gus Johnson	Dornblaser Field	74	85
1931	2–4–1	Gus Johnson	Dornblaser Field	58	86
1932	3–3–1	Gus Johnson	Dornblaser Field	84	77
1933	3–4–1	Gus Johnson	Dornblaser Field	79	82
1934	4–4–0	Gus Johnson	Dornblaser Field	98	85

The 1932 season marked a slight improvement over 1931, with better offensive production and fewer points allowed. While not a dominant year, it represented a stabilization under Johnson’s leadership and laid groundwork for modest gains in subsequent seasons.

Why It Matters

The 1932 season is a small but meaningful chapter in the long history of Montana Grizzlies football, reflecting the challenges and perseverance of early 20th-century college programs. These teams helped shape the identity of the university’s athletic tradition.

Institutional Legacy: The 1932 team contributes to the over 100-year history of Grizzlies football, a program now known for its FCS success.
Coaching Tenure: Gus Johnson’s continued leadership in 1932 demonstrated early efforts to professionalize the football program despite limited budgets.
Rivalry Continuity: The tie against Montana State kept the Brawl of the Wild competitive, reinforcing one of college football’s oldest rivalries.
Historical Context: Played during the Great Depression, the season highlights how college sports provided community morale in tough economic times.
Evolution of the Program: The modest improvements in 1932 foreshadowed future growth, eventually leading to national prominence in later decades.
Archival Value: Game records and photos from 1932 are preserved in UM archives, offering researchers insight into early collegiate athletics.

Though overshadowed by more successful seasons, the 1932 Montana Grizzlies remain a testament to the enduring spirit of collegiate competition and regional pride.