What Is 2018 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7-5 record and losing in the first round of the FCS playoffs to Eastern Washington. Head coach Bobby Hauck led the team in his second season back after returning in 2018.

Key Facts

The 2018 Montana Grizzlies finished the season with a 7-5 overall record
They went 5-3 in Big Sky Conference play, placing fifth in the conference
Head coach Bobby Hauck returned for his second stint leading the program in 2018
The team played home games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, MT
They lost 45-42 to Eastern Washington in the first round of the FCS playoffs

Overview

The 2018 Montana Grizzlies football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as members of the Big Sky Conference. Under head coach Bobby Hauck, who returned to the program in 2018 after previously leading the Grizzlies from 2003 to 2009, the team aimed to reestablish itself as a national contender.

The Grizzlies played their home games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana, one of the most renowned FCS venues due to its consistent sellout crowds and high-altitude environment. The 2018 season marked continued progress in Hauck’s rebuilding effort after a transition year in 2017.

Record: The team finished the season with a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in Big Sky Conference play, securing fifth place in the league standings.
Playoff Appearance: Montana qualified for the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2015 but lost in the first round 45-42 to Eastern Washington on December 1, 2018.
Stadium: Washington-Grizzly Stadium hosted all home games, drawing an average of over 25,000 fans per game, maintaining its reputation as one of the toughest road environments in FCS.
Head Coach: Bobby Hauck returned to Montana in 2018 after a nine-year absence, having previously led the Grizzlies to seven straight playoff appearances from 2003 to 2009.
Key Player: Quarterback Dalton Sneed started most games, throwing for 2,034 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the team’s offensive efforts despite injury challenges.

How It Works

The 2018 season structure followed the standard NCAA FCS model, combining a regular season with conference play and a national playoff system for eligible teams. Montana competed in the Big Sky Conference, one of the strongest FCS leagues, which uses conference performance to determine playoff qualification.

Regular Season: The Grizzlies played a 12-game schedule, including eight conference matchups and four non-conference games against teams such as Albany and North Dakota.
Conference Play: The Big Sky Conference used a round-robin format where each team played eight league games, and the top teams earned playoff berths based on win-loss records.
Playoff Qualification: Montana earned an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs with a 7-5 record, despite not winning the conference, due to strength of schedule and national ranking.
Coaching Leadership: Bobby Hauck’s return brought stability, with a focus on defensive discipline and physical play, leading the team to a top-10 national ranking in rushing defense.
Player Development: The program emphasized recruiting regional talent and developing quarterbacks, with Sneed and backup Samori Toure contributing significantly on offense.
Game Strategy: Montana relied on a balanced offensive attack and a strong ground game, averaging 199 rushing yards per game, one of the best in the Big Sky.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2018 season is best understood in the context of recent Montana football history and peer FCS programs.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Playoff Result	Head Coach
2018	7-5	5-3	First Round	Bobby Hauck
2017	4-7	3-5	Did not qualify	Bobby Hauck (1st year)
2016	4-7	3-5	Did not qualify	Bob Stitt
2015	7-5	5-3	First Round	Bob Stitt
2014	8-4	7-1	Quarterfinals	Mick Delaney

The 2018 season showed clear improvement over the 2016 and 2017 campaigns, matching the 7-5 record of 2015. However, it fell short of the success seen in 2014, when Montana reached the national semifinals. The team’s return to the playoffs signaled progress under Hauck’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a pivotal step in restoring Montana’s football prominence after a period of decline. It demonstrated the program’s resilience and the impact of experienced coaching returning to familiar ground.

Program Momentum: Returning to the playoffs after a three-year absence boosted recruiting and fan engagement across the state.
Coaching Stability: Bobby Hauck’s second tenure provided continuity, with the team improving each year under his leadership.
Conference Competitiveness: The Big Sky remained one of the toughest FCS leagues, and Montana’s performance kept them in the national conversation.
Player Development: The season highlighted Montana’s ability to develop quarterbacks and running backs, contributing to future NFL prospects.
Community Support: Consistent sellouts at Washington-Grizzly Stadium reinforced the deep connection between the team and the Missoula community.
Future Outlook: The 2018 season laid the foundation for deeper playoff runs in subsequent years, including a national semifinal appearance in 2023.

Overall, the 2018 Montana Grizzlies football team represented a turning point in the program’s modern era, balancing competitive performance with long-term rebuilding goals.