What Is 2020 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 2020 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 2–3 record under head coach Bobby Hauck. The season was shortened and moved to the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Facts

The 2020 season was played in spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Head coach Bobby Hauck led the team in his second season of his second stint
The Grizzlies finished with a 2–3 overall record
All games were played in the Big Sky Conference due to pandemic adjustments
Montana played five games instead of the usual 11–12 due to the shortened season

Overview

The 2020 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the originally scheduled fall season was postponed to spring 2021, disrupting the traditional college football calendar.

Under the leadership of head coach Bobby Hauck, in his second year of his second stint with the program, the team navigated a condensed and restructured schedule. The Grizzlies competed exclusively within the Big Sky Conference, facing a limited slate of opponents.

Season Timing: The 2020 season officially took place from February to April 2021, a major shift from the typical September–December schedule due to pandemic-related delays.
Head Coach: Bobby Hauck, who previously coached Montana from 2003 to 2009, returned in 2018 and led the 2020 team with a focus on rebuilding the program.
Overall Record: The Grizzlies finished the shortened season with a 2–3 record, reflecting the challenges of limited preparation and disrupted routines.
Home Games: All home games were played at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana, though with reduced or no fan attendance due to public health restrictions.
Conference Play: The Big Sky Conference suspended fall sports in 2020 and authorized a five-game spring schedule, which all participating teams followed.

How It Works

The structure of the 2020 college football season was fundamentally altered by public health mandates and conference decisions. The Big Sky Conference opted for a spring schedule to prioritize athlete safety and logistical feasibility.

Season Format:The 2020 FCS season was moved to spring 2021, with teams playing a truncated five-game conference-only schedule to minimize travel and exposure risks.
Eligibility Rules:The NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to all fall-sport athletes in 2020, meaning players on the 2020 roster did not burn a year of eligibility.
Player Safety:Regular testing and strict protocols were enforced, including mask-wearing, social distancing, and limited team gatherings to reduce virus transmission.
Postseason Cancellation:The NCAA canceled the 2020 FCS playoffs, meaning no national champion was crowned for that academic year.
Travel Restrictions:Teams only played within their conference footprint; Montana faced Idaho, Idaho State, Eastern Washington, Portland State, and Northern Arizona.
Recruiting Impact:On-campus recruiting was suspended, forcing coaching staff to rely on virtual evaluations and delayed in-person visits.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2020 Montana Grizzlies season compares to a typical year in terms of structure, outcomes, and operations:

Category	2020 Season	Typical Season (e.g., 2019)
Season Timing	February–April 2021	September–November
Number of Games	5 games	11–12 games
Postseason	No FCS playoffs	Eligible for FCS playoffs
Attendance	Limited or no fans	Full stadiums (~25,000 avg)
Eligibility Impact	No eligibility used	One year of eligibility used

The table highlights the unprecedented nature of the 2020 season. While Montana maintained competitive play, the absence of a full schedule and postseason diminished opportunities for national recognition. The team’s 2–3 record included wins over Portland State and Northern Arizona, with losses to Idaho, Idaho State, and Eastern Washington. Despite the challenges, the season allowed players to compete and coaches to evaluate talent under difficult circumstances.

Why It Matters

The 2020 season was a pivotal moment in college athletics, demonstrating adaptability and resilience in the face of a global crisis. For Montana, it served as a bridge between rebuilding phases and provided continuity for the program.

Player Development:The spring season allowed younger players to gain experience, which benefited future rosters in 2021 and beyond.
Program Stability:Continuing to play maintained team cohesion and kept recruits engaged despite recruiting limitations.
Health Precedent:The safety protocols set a template for managing sports during public health emergencies.
Financial Impact:Loss of ticket revenue strained athletic department budgets, affecting operations across non-revenue sports.
Competitive Equity:The canceled playoffs raised concerns about fairness, especially for teams with strong records.
Historical Context:The 2020 season is officially recognized in records but marked with an asterisk due to its non-traditional format.

Ultimately, the 2020 Montana Grizzlies season reflects broader challenges faced by college sports. While the win-loss record was modest, the team’s ability to adapt underscored the enduring spirit of collegiate athletics.