Montana State Bobcats football
Encyclopedia
The Montana State Bobcats football program competes in the Big Sky Conference
of the NCAA
's Division I Football Championship Subdivision for Montana State University. The program began in 1897 and has won three national championships (1956, 1976, and 1984
). They are the only college football program in the nation to win national championships on three different levels of competition, NAIA
, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS).
The first championship came in Montana State's last season in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
, which moved to NAIA in 1952 for a half century. The Bobcats were members of the RMAC from 1917 to 1956, after being an independent from 1897 to 1916. MSC rejoined the NCAA (College Division) in 1957, and had one of its most successful runs as an independent from 1957 to 1962 with six straight winning seasons, including an 8-2 mark in 1957 and 8-1 in 1958. In 1963, Montana State became a charter member of the Big Sky Conference
, where it has won two national championships.
Montana State has won 19 conference titles, including 14 in the Big Sky Conference and five in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Bobcats have won conference titles in eight of the past nine decades and have won multiple conference titles in seven of the last eight decades. They have qualified for the NCAA playoffs six times, once as a Division II member and six times as a Division I-AA/FCS member. MSU has been in the post-season eleven times, most recently in 2011
. Through the 2010 season, the Bobcats are 8-5-2 in postseason play.
The Bobcats play their home games at Bobcat Stadium, located at the south end of campus in Bozeman
. Bobcat Stadium added 5,200 more seats to the south end zone in the summer of 2011 giving the stadium an official capacity of 17,777 up from 12,500 previously. Among other upgrades are an 18' x 37' LED video board, two scoreboards and sound system. In 2008 MSU replaced its natural grass playing surface with FieldTurf. Montana State is currently raising funds for lighting in hopes of extending the hours it can practice and play games.
Their primary rival is Montana
, whom they meet in the annual Brawl of the Wild
, to be held for the 112th time in 2012 in Missoula. Montana currently holds The Great Divide Trophy after a 36-10 win in Bozeman in 2011. The Bobcats are the reigning Big Sky Conference champions.
title at the Aluminum Bowl
in Little Rock, Arkansas
, playing to a scoreless tie with the Pumas of St. Joseph's College from Rensselaer, Indiana
. The game was aired on CBS television and radio. It was played on a rain-soaked field that thwarted MSU's offense, which had run for an average of 323.1 yards rushing and 31.2 points per game. The championship was the first for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the 1956 team is a member of the RMAC Hall of Fame. The 1956 Bobcats of head coach Tony Storti were the fourth, and last, Montana State football team to go undefeated. They finished at 9-0-1.
in 1964, Montana State won the NCAA Western Regional College Division Championship, which existed from 1964 to 1972, with a 28-7 win over Sacramento State in the Camellia Bowl
. The NCAA Western Regional was one of four regionals that led up to the selection of the NCAA College Division champion by poll. Upon the establishment of Division II in 1973, a full playoff system was introduced to determine the national champion. MSU is one of just two Big Sky Conference schools, along with Boise State
, to win a Camellia Bowl game. The Bobcats finished the 1964 season at 7-4.
at the Pioneer Bowl
in Wichita Falls, Texas
, beating the Akron Zips
24-13 with head coach Sonny Holland at the helm. MSU led 17-0 in the third quarter before Akron cut the lead to 17-13. Running back Tom Kostrba scored from seven yards out in the fourth quarter to seal the win. The Bobcats advanced to the championship game with a 17-16 quarterfinal win over the New Hampshire
in Bozeman and a 10-3 semifinal win in the Grantland Rice Bowl
over North Dakota State
, after trailing 3-0 at halftime in Fargo
. Kostrba ran for 100 yards in both playoff games and Don Ueland ran for 94 in the championship game. They finished the 1976 season with a 12-1 record, with their lone loss coming at Fresno State
.
19-6 in the 1984 Division I-AA title game in Charleston, South Carolina
, for their third national championship. Montana State, behind head coach Dave Arnold
, beat Arkansas State
31-14, after falling behind 14-0, in the quarterfinals and Rhode Island 32-20, after trailing 20-12 entering the fourth quarter, in the semifinals. MSU took the lead on a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Joe Roberts, Jr. Quarterback Kelly Bradley threw for over 300 yards in each playoff game and had eight touchdown passes in the postseason. Tight end Joe Bignell hauled in 10 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the championship game. After a 2-2 start, the 1984 team finished 12-2 following a 1-10 season in 1983.
is the game between MSU and their primary rival; the University of Montana Grizzlies
. Both teams play for The Great Divide Trophy. As of 2011, Montana leads the series 69-36-5.
The series has three distinct periods. From 1897 to 1916 the teams didn't belong to a conference and at times would play twice per year. Early seasons had seven games or less with one season seeing the Grizzlies play just one game. Four of the five ties in the series came during this era. Montana won 12 games to Montana State's 7.
In 1917 Montana State joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
and in 1924 Montana joined the Pacific Coast Conference
, the predecessor of today's Pac-12. The RMAC included several teams that would become Mountain West
members. When MSU joined the RMAC included Colorado
, Colorado State
, Utah
, Utah State
, and Brigham Young. When UM joined the PCC included Stanford
, California
, UCLA
, USC, Oregon
, Oregon State
, Washington
, Washington State
, and Idaho
. The Bobcats remained in the RMAC through 1956, while the Grizzlies remained in the PCC through 1949 and joined the Skyline (aka Mountain States) Conference from 1951-1961. MSU was independent from 1957-1962 and UM was independent in 1950 and 1962. During this period UM enjoyed a 30-8-1 edge in Cat-Griz games.
Both schools entered the Big Sky Conference as charter members in 1963 with Montana holding a 42-15-2 series lead. From 1963 to 1985 Montana State enjoyed its most successful period of the Cat-Griz rivalry. MSU won 17 games to just six for UM. Following that Montana started "The Streak" when it won 16 straight games from 1986 to 2001. MSU ended the drought by winning three of four, while UM holds a 6-4 edge after "The Streak" with Montana winning the most recent game 36-10 in Bozeman. The Big Sky era shows Montana with a 28-21 lead.
Montana has won 22 of the last 26 meetings. Since MSU won its first national championship in 1956, the series shows UM with a 30-26 edge.
Dennis Erickson
Quarterback from 1966 to 1968, head coach
in college
and professional
football from 1982
to 2011
.
, this was Jan Stenerud
. Stenerud starred on the varsity team with a then-record 59-yard field goal and 82 points scored as a senior. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs
in the third round of the AFL
's 1966 draft
and scored 11 points in Kansas City's 23-7 Super Bowl IV
win. He would later go on to play for the Green Bay Packers
and Minnesota Vikings
earning four trips to the Pro Bowl. He was inducted in 1991 and is the only pure kicker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
of the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division I Football Championship Subdivision for Montana State University. The program began in 1897 and has won three national championships (1956, 1976, and 1984
1984 Montana State Bobcats football team
The 1984 Montana State Bobcats football team represented the Montana State University – Bozeman in the 1984 college football season. The team was led by Dave Arnold in his second season as a head coach. The Bobcats played their home games at Bobcat Stadium....
). They are the only college football program in the nation to win national championships on three different levels of competition, NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS).
The first championship came in Montana State's last season in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico...
, which moved to NAIA in 1952 for a half century. The Bobcats were members of the RMAC from 1917 to 1956, after being an independent from 1897 to 1916. MSC rejoined the NCAA (College Division) in 1957, and had one of its most successful runs as an independent from 1957 to 1962 with six straight winning seasons, including an 8-2 mark in 1957 and 8-1 in 1958. In 1963, Montana State became a charter member of the Big Sky Conference
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
, where it has won two national championships.
Montana State has won 19 conference titles, including 14 in the Big Sky Conference and five in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Bobcats have won conference titles in eight of the past nine decades and have won multiple conference titles in seven of the last eight decades. They have qualified for the NCAA playoffs six times, once as a Division II member and six times as a Division I-AA/FCS member. MSU has been in the post-season eleven times, most recently in 2011
2011 Montana State Bobcats football team
The 2011 Montana State Bobcats football team represents Montana State University – Bozeman in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bobcats are led by fifth-year head coach Rob Ash and play their home games at Bobcat Stadium, a recently expanded outdoor facility on the south end of...
. Through the 2010 season, the Bobcats are 8-5-2 in postseason play.
The Bobcats play their home games at Bobcat Stadium, located at the south end of campus in Bozeman
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
. Bobcat Stadium added 5,200 more seats to the south end zone in the summer of 2011 giving the stadium an official capacity of 17,777 up from 12,500 previously. Among other upgrades are an 18' x 37' LED video board, two scoreboards and sound system. In 2008 MSU replaced its natural grass playing surface with FieldTurf. Montana State is currently raising funds for lighting in hopes of extending the hours it can practice and play games.
Their primary rival is Montana
Montana Grizzlies football
The Montana Grizzlies football program represents the University of Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. The Grizzlies have competed in the Big Sky Conference, where it is a founding member, since 1963...
, whom they meet in the annual Brawl of the Wild
Brawl of the Wild
The Brawl of the Wild is an annual college football rivalry game between the Montana State University Bobcats and the University of Montana Grizzlies. The rivalry began on November 26, 1897 when the two teams played in Bozeman, Montana, home of Montana State, with Montana prevailing by the score of...
, to be held for the 112th time in 2012 in Missoula. Montana currently holds The Great Divide Trophy after a 36-10 win in Bozeman in 2011. The Bobcats are the reigning Big Sky Conference champions.
Conference Affiliations
- 1897-1916: IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
- 1917-1956: Rocky Mountain Athletic ConferenceRocky Mountain Athletic ConferenceThe Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico...
- 1957-1962: IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
- 1963–present: Big Sky ConferenceBig Sky ConferenceThe Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
Conference championships
| cellpadding="0.5" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:50%;"> | |||
| Season | Conference | Overall Record | Conference Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Rocky Mountain Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico... |
3–5–1 | 1–0–1 |
| 1946 | 5–3–2 | 2–0–1 | |
| 1947 | 4–5 | 1–0 | |
| 1954 | 8–1 | 6–0 | |
| 1956 | 9–0–1 | 5–0 | |
| 1964 | Big Sky Big Sky Conference The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,... |
7–4 | 3–0 |
| 1966 | 8–3 | 4–0 | |
| 1967 | 7–3 | 4–0 | |
| 1968 | 6–4 | 3–1 | |
| 1972 | 8–3 | 5–1 | |
| 1976 | 12–1 | 6–0 | |
| 1979 | 6–4 | 6–1 | |
| 1982 | 6–5 | 5–2 | |
| 1984 | 12–2 | 6–1 | |
| 2002 | 7–6 | 5–2 | |
| 2003 | 7–6 | 5–2 | |
| 2005 | 7–4 | 5–2 | |
| 2010 | 9–3 | 7–1 | |
| 2011 2011 Montana State Bobcats football team The 2011 Montana State Bobcats football team represents Montana State University – Bozeman in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bobcats are led by fifth-year head coach Rob Ash and play their home games at Bobcat Stadium, a recently expanded outdoor facility on the south end of... |
9–2 | 7–1 | |
| Total Conference Titles | 19 |
All-time Bowl Results
| Date | Bowl | W/L | Opponent | PF | PA | Notes |
| January 1, 1947 | Harbor Bowl Harbor Bowl The Harbor Bowl was a college football bowl game played at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, California. The game was held from 1947 through 1949.-Game results:... |
T | New Mexico | 13 | 13 | |
| December 22, 1956 | Aluminum Bowl Aluminum Bowl The Aluminum Bowl was a one-time postseason college football bowl game held in 1956 as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship game. It featured the Montana State University-Bozeman and St. Joseph's College... |
T | St. Joesph's | 0 | 0 | NAIA final |
| December 12, 1964 | Camellia Bowl Camellia Bowl - 1948, Lafayette, Louisiana :The Camellia Bowl was a post-season major college football bowl game played at McNaspy Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 30, 1948 between Hardin-Simmons University and the University of Wichita .... |
W | Sacramento State | 28 | 7 | College Division quarterfinal |
| December 10, 1966 | Camellia Bowl Camellia Bowl - 1948, Lafayette, Louisiana :The Camellia Bowl was a post-season major college football bowl game played at McNaspy Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 30, 1948 between Hardin-Simmons University and the University of Wichita .... |
L | San Diego State San Diego State Aztecs football The San Diego State football team represents the San Diego State Aztecs in college football. The Aztecs, a Division I FBS team and a member of the Mountain West Conference, play their home games at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The field is natural grass and has a maximum capacity of... |
7 | 28 | College Division quarterfinal |
| December 4, 1976 | Grantland Rice Bowl Grantland Rice Bowl The Grantland Rice Bowl was an annual college football bowl game, one of four regional NCAA college division championships from 1964 to 1972. It was the Mideast Regional championship, played in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, from 1964 to 1968... |
W | @ North Dakota State North Dakota State Bison football The North Dakota State Bison football program represents North Dakota State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level and competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. From 2004 to 2007, the Bison were members of the Great West Football... |
10 | 3 | Div. II semifinal |
| December 11, 1976 | Pioneer Bowl Pioneer Bowl The Pioneer Bowl is a bowl game between football teams from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 2007 and is one of two bowl games between historically black colleges and universities... |
W | Akron Akron Zips football The University of Akron Zips are a college football program representing the University of Akron that competes in NCAA Division I FBS Mid-American Conference football... |
24 | 13 | Div. II final NCAA Division II national football championship The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion.... |
| Total | 5 bowl games | 3-1-2 | 82 | 64 |
- On November 27, 1976, Montana State defeated New HampshireNew Hampshire WildcatsThe New Hampshire Wildcats, or Cats, are the athletic teams of the University of New Hampshire. The wildcat is the school's official mascot, the colors are UNH Blue and white...
17-16 in Bozeman in a Division II quarterfinal.
FCS Playoff results
Division I FCS playoff results (known as "Division I-AA" from 1978 to 2005)| Season | Teams | Round | Score | Head Coach | |||
| 1984 1984 Montana State Bobcats football team The 1984 Montana State Bobcats football team represented the Montana State University – Bozeman in the 1984 college football season. The team was led by Dave Arnold in his second season as a head coach. The Bobcats played their home games at Bobcat Stadium.... |
12 | First Round | bye | Dave Arnold Dave Arnold (American football) -External links:*... (3–0) |
|||
| Quarterfinal | @ Montana State | 31 | 14 | ||||
| Semifinal | @ Montana State | 32 | 20 | ||||
| Final | Montana State | 19 | 6 | ||||
| 2002 | 16 | First Round | @ | 21 | Montana State | 14 | Mike Kramer Mike Kramer Michael David Kramer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Idaho State University of the Big Sky Conference. Kramer was previously the head coach at two other schools in the conference: Eastern Washington University and Montana State... (1–3) |
| 2003 | 16 | First Round | @ | 35 | Montana State | 14 | |
| 2006 | 16 | First Round | @ Montana State | 31 | 13 | ||
| Quarterfinal | @ Appalachian State 2006 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team The 2006 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University in the college football season of 2006–2007. The team was coached by Jerry Moore and the Mountaineers played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.The football team competes in... |
38 | Montana State | 17 | |||
| 2010 | 20 | Second Round | North Dakota State North Dakota State Bison football The North Dakota State Bison football program represents North Dakota State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level and competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. From 2004 to 2007, the Bison were members of the Great West Football... |
42 | @ Montana State | 17 | Rob Ash Rob Ash Robert W. "Rob" Ash is an college football coach, currently the head coach at Montana State University, and the current president of the American Football Coaches Association.... (0–1) |
| 2011 | 20 | Second Round | @ Montana State 2011 Montana State Bobcats football team The 2011 Montana State Bobcats football team represents Montana State University – Bozeman in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bobcats are led by fifth-year head coach Rob Ash and play their home games at Bobcat Stadium, a recently expanded outdoor facility on the south end of... |
New Hampshire New Hampshire Wildcats The New Hampshire Wildcats, or Cats, are the athletic teams of the University of New Hampshire. The wildcat is the school's official mascot, the colors are UNH Blue and white... |
|||
| 6th appearance | Overall record | 4-4 | |||||
1956
In 1956, the Bobcats won a share of the NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
title at the Aluminum Bowl
Aluminum Bowl
The Aluminum Bowl was a one-time postseason college football bowl game held in 1956 as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship game. It featured the Montana State University-Bozeman and St. Joseph's College...
in Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, playing to a scoreless tie with the Pumas of St. Joseph's College from Rensselaer, Indiana
Rensselaer, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,294 people, 2,158 households, and 1,404 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,824.8 people per square mile . There were 2,296 housing units at an average density of 791.4 per square mile...
. The game was aired on CBS television and radio. It was played on a rain-soaked field that thwarted MSU's offense, which had run for an average of 323.1 yards rushing and 31.2 points per game. The championship was the first for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the 1956 team is a member of the RMAC Hall of Fame. The 1956 Bobcats of head coach Tony Storti were the fourth, and last, Montana State football team to go undefeated. They finished at 9-0-1.
1964
Behind head coach Jim SweeneyJim Sweeney (coach)
Jim Sweeney is a former American football coach. He served as the head coach at Montana State University , Washington State University , and California State University, Fresno . Sweeney's 143 wins as the head coach at Fresno State are the most in the history of the program...
in 1964, Montana State won the NCAA Western Regional College Division Championship, which existed from 1964 to 1972, with a 28-7 win over Sacramento State in the Camellia Bowl
Camellia Bowl
- 1948, Lafayette, Louisiana :The Camellia Bowl was a post-season major college football bowl game played at McNaspy Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 30, 1948 between Hardin-Simmons University and the University of Wichita ....
. The NCAA Western Regional was one of four regionals that led up to the selection of the NCAA College Division champion by poll. Upon the establishment of Division II in 1973, a full playoff system was introduced to determine the national champion. MSU is one of just two Big Sky Conference schools, along with Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
, to win a Camellia Bowl game. The Bobcats finished the 1964 season at 7-4.
1976
Montana State won the 1976 NCAA Division II championshipNCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
at the Pioneer Bowl
Pioneer Bowl
The Pioneer Bowl is a bowl game between football teams from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 2007 and is one of two bowl games between historically black colleges and universities...
in Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States, United States. Wichita Falls is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay and Wichita counties. According to the U.S. Census estimate of 2010,...
, beating the Akron Zips
Akron Zips football
The University of Akron Zips are a college football program representing the University of Akron that competes in NCAA Division I FBS Mid-American Conference football...
24-13 with head coach Sonny Holland at the helm. MSU led 17-0 in the third quarter before Akron cut the lead to 17-13. Running back Tom Kostrba scored from seven yards out in the fourth quarter to seal the win. The Bobcats advanced to the championship game with a 17-16 quarterfinal win over the New Hampshire
New Hampshire Wildcats
The New Hampshire Wildcats, or Cats, are the athletic teams of the University of New Hampshire. The wildcat is the school's official mascot, the colors are UNH Blue and white...
in Bozeman and a 10-3 semifinal win in the Grantland Rice Bowl
Grantland Rice Bowl
The Grantland Rice Bowl was an annual college football bowl game, one of four regional NCAA college division championships from 1964 to 1972. It was the Mideast Regional championship, played in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, from 1964 to 1968...
over North Dakota State
North Dakota State Bison football
The North Dakota State Bison football program represents North Dakota State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level and competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. From 2004 to 2007, the Bison were members of the Great West Football...
, after trailing 3-0 at halftime in Fargo
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
. Kostrba ran for 100 yards in both playoff games and Don Ueland ran for 94 in the championship game. They finished the 1976 season with a 12-1 record, with their lone loss coming at Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
.
1984
Eight years later, the Bobcats defeated Louisiana TechLouisiana Tech Bulldogs football
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football program represents Louisiana Tech University in Western Athletic Conference. The team currently competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Since the Bulldogs first season in 1901, Louisiana Tech has compiled an all-time record of 554 wins, 422...
19-6 in the 1984 Division I-AA title game in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, for their third national championship. Montana State, behind head coach Dave Arnold
Dave Arnold (American football)
-External links:*...
, beat Arkansas State
Arkansas State Red Wolves football
The Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition. The team was originally founded in 1911, and, since 2001, Arkansas State has competed as a member of the...
31-14, after falling behind 14-0, in the quarterfinals and Rhode Island 32-20, after trailing 20-12 entering the fourth quarter, in the semifinals. MSU took the lead on a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Joe Roberts, Jr. Quarterback Kelly Bradley threw for over 300 yards in each playoff game and had eight touchdown passes in the postseason. Tight end Joe Bignell hauled in 10 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the championship game. After a 2-2 start, the 1984 team finished 12-2 following a 1-10 season in 1983.
| Year | Coach | Record | Score | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Tony Storti Tony Storti Anthony Wayne "Tony" Storti was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator in the United States.-Biography:... |
9-0-1 | 0-0 | St. Joesph's |
| 1976 | Sonny Holland | 12-1 | 24-13 | Akron Zips Akron Zips football The University of Akron Zips are a college football program representing the University of Akron that competes in NCAA Division I FBS Mid-American Conference football... |
| 1984 1984 Montana State Bobcats football team The 1984 Montana State Bobcats football team represented the Montana State University – Bozeman in the 1984 college football season. The team was led by Dave Arnold in his second season as a head coach. The Bobcats played their home games at Bobcat Stadium.... |
Dave Arnold Dave Arnold (American football) -External links:*... |
12-2 | 19-6 | Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football program represents Louisiana Tech University in Western Athletic Conference. The team currently competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Since the Bulldogs first season in 1901, Louisiana Tech has compiled an all-time record of 554 wins, 422... |
Head coaching records
| Seasons | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1897 | Mr. Lisle | 1 | 1-3-0 | .250 |
| 1898 | George Ahem | 1 | 0-2-0 | .000 |
| 1899 | W.J. Adams | 1 | 3-0-0 | 1.000 |
| 1900 | E.C. Woodruff | 1 | 2-1-0 | .666 |
| 1901-05 | A.G. Harbaugh | 2 | 3-3-1 | .500 |
| 1902-03 | J.E. Flynn | 2 | 5-0-2 | .857 |
| 1904 | Fred Ervin | 1 | 2-1-0 | .666 |
| 1908-10 | John H. McIntosh | 3 | 3-10-5 | .305 |
| 1911-12 | E.A. Dockstader | 2 | 0-4-1 | .100 |
| 1913 | Eugene F. Bunker | 1 | 2-2-0 | .500 |
| 1914-17 | Fred Bennionr | 4 | 11-7-5 | .586 |
| 1919 | Walter D. Powell | 1 | 1-3-1 | .300 |
| 1920-21 | D.V. Graves | 2 | 6-5-1 | .541 |
| 1922-27 | G. Ottiger "Ott" Romney | 6 | 28-20-21 | .580 |
| 1928-41 | Schubert R. Dyche | 12 | 37-53-7 | .417 |
| 1936-37 | Jack Croft | 2 | 6-9-1 | .406 |
| 1946-49 | Clyde Carpenter | 4 | 13-20-2 | .400 |
| 1950-51 | John H. Mason | 2 | 1-15-0 | .062 |
| 1954-55 | Walter "Wally" Lemm | 2 | 8-9-1 | .472 |
| 1952-57 | Tony Storti | 4 | 23-11-1 | .671 |
| 1958-62 | Herb Agocs | 5 | 30-13-2 | .688 |
| 1963-67 | Jim Sweeney Jim Sweeney (coach) Jim Sweeney is a former American football coach. He served as the head coach at Montana State University , Washington State University , and California State University, Fresno . Sweeney's 143 wins as the head coach at Fresno State are the most in the history of the program... |
5 | 31-20-0 | .607 |
| 1968-70 | Tom Parac | 3 | 9-20-0 | .310 |
| 1971-77 | Sonny Holland | 7 | 47-27-1 | .633 |
| 1978-81 | Sonny Lubick Sonny Lubick Louis "Sonny" Lubick is a former head football coach at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. In his fourth decade as collegiate football coach, the 2007 season marked Lubick's 15th and final year at the helm of a Colorado State program that he built from virtually the ground up... |
4 | 21-19-0 | .525 |
| 1982 | Doug Graber | 1 | 6-5-0 | .545 |
| 1983-86 | Dave Arnold Dave Arnold (American football) -External links:*... |
4 | 18-29-0 | .382 |
| 1987-91 | Earle Solomonson Earle Solomonson -External links:*... |
5 | 15-40-0 | .272 |
| 1992-99 | Cliff Hysell | 8 | 42-46-0 | .477 |
| 2000-06 | Mike Kramer Mike Kramer Michael David Kramer is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Idaho State University of the Big Sky Conference. Kramer was previously the head coach at two other schools in the conference: Eastern Washington University and Montana State... |
7 | 40-43-0 | .481 |
| 2007-present | Rob Ash Rob Ash Robert W. "Rob" Ash is an college football coach, currently the head coach at Montana State University, and the current president of the American Football Coaches Association.... |
4 | 38-18-0 | .678 |
| 1897-2010 | 31 coaches | 107 | 452-458-33 | .497 |
Montana
The Brawl of the WildBrawl of the Wild
The Brawl of the Wild is an annual college football rivalry game between the Montana State University Bobcats and the University of Montana Grizzlies. The rivalry began on November 26, 1897 when the two teams played in Bozeman, Montana, home of Montana State, with Montana prevailing by the score of...
is the game between MSU and their primary rival; the University of Montana Grizzlies
Montana Grizzlies football
The Montana Grizzlies football program represents the University of Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. The Grizzlies have competed in the Big Sky Conference, where it is a founding member, since 1963...
. Both teams play for The Great Divide Trophy. As of 2011, Montana leads the series 69-36-5.
The series has three distinct periods. From 1897 to 1916 the teams didn't belong to a conference and at times would play twice per year. Early seasons had seven games or less with one season seeing the Grizzlies play just one game. Four of the five ties in the series came during this era. Montana won 12 games to Montana State's 7.
In 1917 Montana State joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico...
and in 1924 Montana joined the Pacific Coast Conference
Pacific Coast Conference
The Pacific Coast Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States which existed from 1915 to 1959. Though the Pacific-12 Conference claims the PCC's history as part of its own, the older league had a completely different charter and was disbanded in 1959 due to a major crisis...
, the predecessor of today's Pac-12. The RMAC included several teams that would become Mountain West
Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
members. When MSU joined the RMAC included Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
, Colorado State
Colorado State Rams football
The Colorado State Rams football program, established in 1893, represents Colorado State University and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mountain West Conference under head coach Steve Fairchild...
, Utah
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
, Utah State
Utah State Aggies football
The Utah State Aggies are a college football team that competes in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I, representing Utah State University. The Utah State college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Romney Stadium since 1968...
, and Brigham Young. When UM joined the PCC included Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
, California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
, UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
, USC, Oregon
Oregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
, Oregon State
Oregon State Beavers football
The Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I-A college football. The team first fielded an organized football team in 1893 and is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The head coach is Mike Riley, with Danny Langsdorf as the offensive...
, Washington
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
, Washington State
Washington State Cougars football
The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
, and Idaho
Idaho Vandals football
The Idaho Vandals are a college football team that represents the University of Idaho. The Vandals currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I...
. The Bobcats remained in the RMAC through 1956, while the Grizzlies remained in the PCC through 1949 and joined the Skyline (aka Mountain States) Conference from 1951-1961. MSU was independent from 1957-1962 and UM was independent in 1950 and 1962. During this period UM enjoyed a 30-8-1 edge in Cat-Griz games.
Both schools entered the Big Sky Conference as charter members in 1963 with Montana holding a 42-15-2 series lead. From 1963 to 1985 Montana State enjoyed its most successful period of the Cat-Griz rivalry. MSU won 17 games to just six for UM. Following that Montana started "The Streak" when it won 16 straight games from 1986 to 2001. MSU ended the drought by winning three of four, while UM holds a 6-4 edge after "The Streak" with Montana winning the most recent game 36-10 in Bozeman. The Big Sky era shows Montana with a 28-21 lead.
Montana has won 22 of the last 26 meetings. Since MSU won its first national championship in 1956, the series shows UM with a 30-26 edge.
Dennis EricksonDennis EricksonDennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
Quarterback from 1966 to 1968, head coachHead coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
in college
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
and professional
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
football from 1982
1982 Idaho Vandals football team
The 1982 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by first-year head coach Dennis Erickson, were members of the Big Sky Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in...
to 2011
2011 Arizona State Sun Devils football team
The 2011 Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team is coached by fifth year head coach Dennis Erickson and plays their home games in Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.-Schedule:...
.
Jan Stenerud
One Montana State Bobcat has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
, this was Jan Stenerud
Jan Stenerud
Jan Stenerud is a former professional football player for the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs , and the NFL's Chiefs , Green Bay Packers , and Minnesota Vikings .-Background:...
. Stenerud starred on the varsity team with a then-record 59-yard field goal and 82 points scored as a senior. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
in the third round of the AFL
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
's 1966 draft
1966 American Football League Draft
-Round One:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:-Round eleven:-Round twelve:-See also:* 1966 NFL Draft*...
and scored 11 points in Kansas City's 23-7 Super Bowl IV
Super Bowl IV
Super Bowl IV was the fourth AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, and the second one to officially bear the name "Super Bowl"...
win. He would later go on to play for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
and Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
earning four trips to the Pro Bowl. He was inducted in 1991 and is the only pure kicker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.