Montana Grizzlies football playoff appearances in a row (17), Big Sky Conference titles in a row (12), and overall playoff appearances (19). Their success made them the most successful program in all of college football in the 2000s (119 wins) and third most successful team in FCS in the 1990s (93 wins). The University of Montana's first football season was in 1897, where they won a single game against future rival Montana State. The team played only schools from Montana until it helped found the Northwest Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NWIAA) in 1902. In addition to Montana, this original Northwest Conference included Washington, Washington
1979 Montana Grizzlies football team 1979 Montana Grizzlies football team The 1979 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season. A charter member of the Big Sky Conference, the Grizzlies were led by fourth-year head coach Gene Carlson and played their home games at Dornblaser Field, an off-campus venue in Missoula. Montana won three games and Carlson was let go at the end of the season; his annual salary was $24,000. Washington State# L 34-14 at Northern Arizona L 26-13 Weber State W 23-16 Boise State L 37-35 Idaho State W 28-24 at Idaho L 20-17