Griz set to tackle Furman in playoffs tonight

by By Montana Sports Information
| December 8, 2023 7:00 AM

The Montana Grizzlies return to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs for the 15th time in program history this week after a 49-19 win over Delaware on a snowy Saturday night in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Now the stakes get higher as the No. 2 Grizzlies (11-1) get set to host the No. 7 Furman Paladins (10-2) in a rematch of the 2001 National Championship game under the national spotlight with ESPN2 set to broadcast the game at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Montana faithful tore down the goal posts in celebration of Montana's second national championship after beating Furman 13-6 in the 2001 1-AA (now FCS) title game at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.

The Griz’s only loss is against Northern Arizona en route to a conference title. One of Furman’s two losses is to SEC member South Carolina.

IMPLICATIONS: It's win or go home season and with home field advantage the Griz are looking to continue their winning ways.

A win over Furman sends Montana on to the semifinal round of the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and just the second time since 2009.

Waiting in the bracket is the winner of the South Dakota/North Dakota State game. If Montana advances, the winner of that game will travel to Missoula for the semi on either Friday, Dec. 15, or Saturday, Dec. 16.

This year's FCS title game is set for noon Sunday, Jan. 7, in Frisco, Texas.

WATCH: In addition to being broadcast on ESPN2, Montana’s quarterfinal game against Furman will be streaming without blackout on ESPN+.

LISTEN: It's business as usual in the playoffs for Montana's radio crew. "Voice of the Griz" Riley Corcoran is in his eighth season behind the mic at Montana and is once again set to bring you all the Grizzly action over the airwaves on the Grizzly Sports Radio Network and15 affiliate stations around the state.

Griz fans outside the radio footprint can stream all of Montana's broadcasts on their mobile device LIVE and FREE of charge with the Varsity Network App, powered by Learfield and Sidearm Sports.