Grizzlies and Jackrabbits Brace for a Snowy Playoff Showdown
So, picture this: Missoula gets blanketed by a heavy round of snow on Thursday night, and suddenly Washington–Grizzly Stadium turns into one giant shovel-worthy project. With nearly 26,000 seats, plus all the walkways, parking lots, and the field itself, the University of Montana had no choice but to send staff and volunteers straight into snow-clearing mode on Friday. The goal was simple—get everything safe, accessible, and as snow-free as possible before the Montana Grizzlies take on South Dakota State in Saturday’s high-stakes FCS playoff matchup.
UM’s Director of Strategic Communications, Dave Kuntz, explained that the stairs and main corridors were being prioritized. Fans were also being urged to walk carefully, because the turnaround from snowfall to stadium arrival time would be tight. And just in case more snow rolled in overnight, the university planned ahead: crews were set to arrive at 4 a.m. to clear parking lots first, then move into the stadium, with the aim of having any new snow off the field by 9:30 a.m. Even if the game transforms into a full-on snowglobe, UM is prepared. Field plows and shovel crews stand ready to uncover the lines so players, coaches, and officials can see what they’re doing.
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But beyond the weather story, the game itself carries a lot of weight. Montana enters the matchup as the No. 3 team in the FCS, hosting 14-seed South Dakota State—a team whose ranking absolutely does not tell the whole story. SDSU went through a roller-coaster season, largely due to quarterback Chase Mason missing over a month with injury. The Jackrabbits lost four straight during his absence, dropping from top-five status all the way to playoff uncertainty. But when Mason returned in the first round last week, he completed 80% of his passes, threw three touchdowns, and led a dominant 41–3 win over New Hampshire. In other words, SDSU is back to looking like the powerhouse everyone expected.
For Montana, this matchup hits deeper than rankings. SDSU beat the Griz in the 2023 national championship and knocked them out again in the 2024 playoffs. Now, with the third meeting in three years set in Missoula, the Griz finally have a chance at redemption on their home turf. Seniors know this could be their last game, and players have been clear—the message this week is simple: it’s do or die.
Montana enters the postseason with 18 all-conference selections and a refreshed roster after a much-needed bye week. Standouts like quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat, star returner and receiver Michael Wortham, and Big Sky Offensive MVP Eli Gillman bring serious firepower into this matchup.
Kickoff is set for noon at Washington–Grizzly Stadium. The winner moves on to face either Mercer or South Dakota, and if Montana advances, they automatically host the quarterfinal. Saturday’s showdown isn’t just a playoff game—it’s a battle layered with history, pressure, and maybe even a fresh coat of snow.
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