The College of Montana soccer staff opens up the postseason on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula in opposition to acquainted foe South Dakota State.
The Grizzlies (11-1) are the No. 3 staff within the FCS and acquired an opening-round bye, whereas the Jackrabbits (No. 14, 9-4) defeated New Hampshire 41-3 final week within the first spherical.
The winner between Montana and South Dakota State advances to a quarterfinal recreation in opposition to both No. 6 Mercer or No. 11 South Dakota on Dec. 13.
Right here’s what you want to find out about Montana’s matchup with South Dakota State, together with recreation time and TV info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, midday
The place: Missoula, Montana
TV Channel: ESPN+
Betting Odds (Sports activities Guess MT): Montana -2.5
Saturday marks the third matchup between Montana and South Dakota State within the final three years, with the Jackrabbits profitable the nationwide championship 23-3 over the Griz in 2023 and a second-round tilt final 12 months 35-18.
Montana dropped its first recreation of 2025 within the regular-season finale 31-28 to rival Montana State on Nov. 22.
Tailback Eli Gillman was named the Massive Sky Convention’s Offensive MVP as he rushed for 1,261 yards and 17 touchdowns, each tops within the league. The No. 8 general rusher within the FCS, the junior is the primary Grizzly to earn Offensive MVP since John Edwards in 2002 and the primary non-quarterback to win the award, in accordance with UM Sports activities Info.
Quarterback Keali’I Ah Yat and receiver Michael Wortham have been each amongst 30 finalists for the Walter Payton Award, the equal of the Heisman Trophy for the FCS degree.
The Grizzlies are the highest scoring offense out of the Massive Sky and No. 4 within the nation with Ah Yat below middle as he threw for over 3,100 yards and 25 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Wortham is third within the FCS in all-purpose yards per recreation at over 156 and can also be third within the nation in mixed kick and punt return yards with 781. At wideout, Wortham put up 822 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns.
Becoming a member of Gillman, Ah Yat, and Wortham on the All-Massive Sky first staff are tight finish Even Shafer, offensive sort out Cannon Panfiloff, defensive finish Hunter Peck, linebacker Peyton Wing and particular groups ace Tanner Huff.
South Dakota State, the FCS nationwide champion in 2022 and 2023, began the season 7-0 — together with a 30-24 victory over now-No. 2 Montana State in double additional time on Sept. 6 — however dropped 4 of its final 5 video games.
The Jackrabbits earned 4 first-team All-Missouri Valley Soccer Convention choices, together with offensive sort out Quentin Christensen, tight finish Greyton Gannon, defensive sort out Kobe Clayborne and punter Max Pelham, in accordance with SDSU Sports activities Info.
South Dakota State was sixth within the MVFC in scoring offense (28.54 ppg) and fifth in yards per recreation (376.8), whereas it was third in each scoring protection (19.77 ppg allowed) and complete protection (301.4).