What Is 2009 Montana Grizzlies football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 10-3 record and winning the Big Sky Conference title. They advanced to the FCS semifinals before losing to Villanova.

Key Facts

The 2009 Montana Grizzlies finished the season with a 10-3 overall record and a 7-1 conference record.
They won the Big Sky Conference championship, securing their 10th title in program history.
Quarterback Chris Niczky started most games after senior Jordan Johnson was injured.
The Grizzlies defeated UC Davis 41-27 in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.
They lost 23-21 to Villanova in the FCS semifinals on December 18, 2009, in Philadelphia.

Overview

The 2009 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Coached by fourth-year head coach Bobby Hauck, the team competed in the Big Sky Conference and finished with a strong 10-3 overall record, including a 7-1 mark in conference play.

The Grizzlies claimed their 10th Big Sky Conference title, marking a successful rebound after falling short of the playoffs in 2008. Their season culminated in a run to the FCS semifinals, where they narrowly lost to Villanova, ending their national championship hopes.

10-3 record: The Grizzlies finished the 2009 season with 10 wins and 3 losses, their best performance since 2004, showcasing a dominant offense and resilient defense.
Big Sky Champions: Montana secured the conference title with a 7-1 conference record, edging out rivals like Eastern Washington and Montana State for the top spot.
Chris Niczky as starter: After Jordan Johnson suffered a season-ending injury, redshirt freshman Chris Niczky stepped in and led the team through the playoffs with steady quarterback play.
FCS semifinal appearance: Montana advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2004, defeating New Hampshire and UC Davis before falling to Villanova.
Washington-Grizzly Stadium: The team played home games at their 25,217-seat stadium in Missoula, where they maintained a strong 6-1 home record during the season.

How It Works

The 2009 season was defined by Montana's ability to adapt to injuries and maintain consistency in the Big Sky Conference, one of the most competitive FCS leagues. Their success relied on a balanced offensive attack and a disciplined defensive scheme under head coach Bobby Hauck.

Big Sky Conference: A 10-team NCAA FCS league in which Montana has historically dominated, winning 10 titles since 1995. The conference determines playoff eligibility through automatic bids and at-large selections.
FCS Playoffs: A 20-team postseason tournament that determines the national champion. Montana entered as a seeded team, earning a first-round bye due to their strong regular season.
Quarterback rotation: Jordan Johnson started the first five games before a shoulder injury sidelined him; Chris Niczky took over and completed 61% of his passes for 1,321 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Defensive strength: The Grizzlies' defense allowed only 18.5 points per game, ranking among the top 10 in the FCS, led by linebacker Kroy Biermann and safety Jim Deters.
Home-field advantage: Washington-Grizzly Stadium is renowned for its loud, passionate fans, contributing to Montana's 34-6 home record under Bobby Hauck from 2003 to 2009.
National rankings: The team spent much of the season ranked in the top 10 of the FCS polls, peaking at No. 4 in the final regular-season poll before the playoffs.

Comparison at a Glance

Montana's 2009 season compared favorably to recent campaigns, especially in terms of playoff success and conference dominance.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Playoff Result	Final Ranking
2009	10-3	7-1	Semifinals	#3 FCS
2008	6-5	5-3	No playoffs	Unranked
2007	10-4	7-1	Championship game	#2 FCS
2006	9-4	6-2	Quarterfinals	#6 FCS
2005	8-4	6-2	Second round	#8 FCS

The 2009 team marked a return to national prominence after missing the playoffs in 2008. While they fell short of the title game, their semifinal appearance signaled a resurgence under Hauck, who would eventually leave for UNLV after the season.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was pivotal for the Grizzlies program, restoring credibility after a down year and highlighting the depth of Montana's football culture. It also served as Bobby Hauck's final season before departing for the NFL and later UNLV, making it a transitional chapter in program history.

Program resilience: Overcoming a key quarterback injury demonstrated the team's depth and coaching adaptability, traits essential for sustained FCS success.
Recruiting boost: A deep playoff run enhanced Montana's national profile, aiding future recruiting efforts in competitive western states.
Fan engagement: High attendance and playoff excitement reinforced the importance of football to the university and Missoula community.
Coaching legacy: Bobby Hauck's 2003–2009 tenure included seven playoff appearances, and 2009 reaffirmed his impact despite his impending departure.
Player development: Several players, including Niczky and Deters, gained valuable experience that contributed to future team success in subsequent seasons.
Historical context: The 2009 run kept Montana among the winningest FCS programs, adding to their legacy of 14 conference titles and seven national championship appearances.

The 2009 Montana Grizzlies season remains a notable entry in the program's storied history, blending competitive excellence with emotional narrative and setting the stage for future leadership changes.