What Is 2019 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 2019 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7–5 record and 5–3 in Big Sky Conference play under head coach Bobby Hauck.

Key Facts

Finished the 2019 season with a 7–5 overall record
Posted a 5–3 conference record in the Big Sky Conference
Head coach Bobby Hauck returned for his second stint in 2018
Played home games at Washington–Grizzly Stadium in Missoula
Lost in the first round of the FCS playoffs to Eastern Washington

Overview

The 2019 Montana Grizzlies football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as members of the Big Sky Conference. Led by head coach Bobby Hauck, who returned to the program in 2018, the team aimed to rebuild its national prominence after several non-winning seasons.

The Grizzlies showed significant improvement in 2019, posting a winning record and earning a playoff berth. Their season reflected a balanced offensive attack and a resilient defense, particularly in conference matchups.

Record: The team finished with a 7–5 overall record and a 5–3 mark in Big Sky Conference play, marking a second consecutive winning season under Hauck.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Washington–Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana, a venue known for its loud and passionate fan base.
Head coach: Bobby Hauck, in his second year of his second stint, led the program with a focus on defensive intensity and physical play.
Playoff appearance: Earned a spot in the FCS playoffs but lost 50–44 in the first round to Eastern Washington on December 7, 2019.
Quarterback performance: Quarterback Matthew McKay started most games, throwing for 1,786 yards and 13 touchdowns despite missing time due to injury.

How It Works

The structure of an NCAA FCS football season determines how teams like the 2019 Montana Grizzlies prepare, compete, and qualify for postseason play. Each phase of the season follows strict conference and national guidelines.

Regular Season: The 2019 Grizzlies played a 12-game regular season schedule, including eight conference games and four non-conference matchups.
Conference Play: As members of the Big Sky Conference, the Grizzlies faced each league opponent once, with scheduling exceptions due to uneven team counts.
Playoff Eligibility: FCS teams qualify for the 24-team playoff bracket based on win-loss record, strength of schedule, and committee selection.
Roster Composition: The team fielded approximately 105 players, including scholarship athletes and walk-ons across offense, defense, and special teams units.
Game Strategy: Montana emphasized a run-heavy offense and aggressive defense, finishing the season averaging 32.1 points per game.
Coaching Staff: The staff included defensive coordinator Tyson Thompson and offensive coordinator Brent Pease, both instrumental in game planning.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Montana Grizzlies compared to key conference rivals in overall and conference records, playoff results, and offensive output.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Playoff Result	Points Per Game
Montana	7–5	5–3	Lost in first round	32.1
Eastern Washington	11–3	7–1	Won FCS Championship	40.7
Montana State	6–5	5–3	Did not qualify	28.6
Sacramento State	9–4	7–1	Lost in quarterfinals	35.2
North Dakota State	14–1	8–0	Won FCS Championship	38.4

The Grizzlies ranked mid-tier in the conference in both wins and scoring. While they matched Montana State in conference record, their playoff loss highlighted a gap in consistency compared to elite FCS programs like Eastern Washington and North Dakota State, who dominated both statistically and in postseason results.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a pivotal step in the Grizzlies’ rebuilding process under Bobby Hauck, reinforcing momentum for future competitiveness in the FCS. It demonstrated progress in player development, fan engagement, and program stability.

Program momentum: The winning record for the second straight year signaled a return to Montana’s tradition of strong football performance.
Recruiting boost: Success on the field helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent classes, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
Stadium attendance: Washington–Grizzly Stadium averaged over 22,000 fans per game, reflecting strong community support.
Player development: Several players, including linebacker Dante Olsen, earned All-American honors and later pursued NFL opportunities.
Conference competitiveness: The season reinforced the Big Sky as one of the deepest FCS conferences, with multiple playoff teams.
Long-term impact: The 2019 campaign laid the foundation for future playoff runs, including deeper advancement in 2021 and 2023.

Overall, the 2019 Montana Grizzlies season was a critical chapter in the program’s resurgence, combining competitive results with long-term strategic growth.