What Is 1987 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season, finishing with a 7-4 record under head coach Don Read. They advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs but were eliminated in the first round.

Key Facts

The 1987 Montana Grizzlies finished the season with a 7-4 overall record
Head coach Don Read led the team during its transition toward future national prominence
The Grizzlies played their home games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula
They qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, losing in the first round
Quarterback Dave Dickenson was not yet on the team; he joined in the 1990s

Overview

The 1987 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Competing in the Big Sky Conference, the team showed marked improvement under head coach Don Read, laying groundwork for future success in the early 1990s.

The Grizzlies posted a solid 7-4 overall record and earned a spot in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, marking a pivotal step in the program’s rise to national prominence. While they did not win a national title that year, the 1987 season was a turning point in building a competitive culture.

7-4 record: The team finished the season with seven wins and four losses, a strong performance for the era and a sign of growing consistency.
Don Read as head coach: In his second season, Read began instilling discipline and structure that would later lead to a national championship in 1995.
Playoff appearance: The Grizzlies qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, though they lost their first-round matchup.
Home games in Missoula: Played at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, which opened in 1986 and quickly became a tough venue for visiting teams.

Big Sky Conference:

Season Performance and Structure

The 1987 season followed a structured NCAA Division I-AA schedule, blending non-conference matchups with critical conference games that determined playoff eligibility. The Grizzlies demonstrated resilience, particularly in close games, and began to develop a strong offensive identity.

Offensive strategy: The team relied on a balanced attack, mixing a developing passing game with a physical running game suited to Montana’s style.
Defensive improvements: Allowed an average of 20.3 points per game, showing marked improvement from previous seasons under defensive coordinator Mike Barsi.
Key players: While future star quarterback Dave Dickenson was still in high school, the 1987 roster featured several emerging talents who contributed to later success.
Non-conference games: Opened the season against teams like Western Illinois and UC Davis, providing early-season tests that shaped team development.
Conference record: Finished with a 4-3 mark in Big Sky play, placing them in the upper half of the conference standings.
Playoff berth: Earned a postseason bid due to strong performances against ranked opponents and a winning overall record.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 1987 season compares to other key years in Montana football history:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Playoff Result	Head Coach
1987	7-4	4-3	First Round Exit	Don Read
1995	11-3	6-2	National Champions	Don Read
1986	5-6	3-4	No Playoff	Don Read
1988	7-4	5-3	No Playoff	Don Read
2001	13-2	8-0	National Runners-Up	Joe Glenn

The table illustrates how the 1987 season was a bridge between mediocrity and dominance. While not as successful as 1995 or 2001, it marked the beginning of sustained competitiveness under Read’s leadership. The team’s playoff appearance signaled that Montana was becoming a force in Division I-AA football.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season is significant not for championships won, but for momentum built. It represented a shift from rebuilding to contending, setting the stage for Montana’s golden era in the 1990s and 2000s.

Foundation for success: The 7-4 record and playoff berth proved the program could compete, boosting recruiting and fan support.
Coaching continuity: Don Read remained head coach through 1995, allowing long-term development of systems and player development.
Stadium impact: Playing in the newly opened Washington-Grizzly Stadium gave Montana a modern home-field advantage.
Recruiting boost: Success on the field helped attract higher-caliber athletes, including future All-Americans.
Program identity: The team began establishing a reputation for toughness, discipline, and resilience under Read’s leadership.
Historical context: The 1987 season is now seen as the start of a new era, preceding Montana’s two national titles in 1995 and 2001.

While overshadowed by later triumphs, the 1987 Montana Grizzlies played a crucial role in transforming the program into a national power. Their season laid the groundwork for decades of success and remains a milestone in the team’s history.