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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 sport in opposition to both No. 6 Mercer or No. 11 South Dakota on Dec. 13. The Grizzlies have made the FCS playoffs 29 instances in program historical past and now 13 instances underneath head coach Bobby Hauck over two stints.
Right here’s what it is advisable to learn about Montana’s matchup with South Dakota State, together with sport time and TV info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, midday
The place: Missoula, Montana
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Betting Odds (Sports activities Wager MT): Montana -2.5
Saturday marks the third matchup between Montana and South Dakota State within the final three years, with the Jackrabbits successful the nationwide championship 23-3 over the Griz in 2023 and a second-round tilt final yr 35-18.
Montana dropped its first sport 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 total 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, according to UM Sports Information.
Quarterback Keali’I Ah Yat and receiver Michael Wortham had 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 underneath heart 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 sport 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 extra time on Sept. 6 — however dropped 4 of its final 5 video games.
The Jackrabbits earned 4 first-team All-Missouri Valley Soccer Convention picks, together with offensive sort out Quentin Christensen, tight finish Greyton Gannon, defensive sort out Kobe Clayborne and punter Max Pelham, in keeping with SDSU Sports activities Data.
South Dakota State was sixth within the MVFC in scoring offense (28.54 ppg) and fifth in yards per sport (376.8), whereas it was third in each scoring protection (19.77 ppg allowed) and whole protection (301.4).
