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The College of Montana soccer staff opens up the postseason on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula towards 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 towards both No. 6 Mercer or No. 11 South Dakota on Dec. 13. The Grizzlies have made the FCS playoffs 29 occasions in program historical past and now 13 occasions below head coach Bobby Hauck over two stints.
Right here’s what you must learn about Montana’s matchup with South Dakota State, together with recreation time and TV data.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, midday
The place: Missoula, Montana
TV/Streaming: 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 successful 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 Large 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 have been each amongst 30 finalists for the Walter Payton Award, the equal of the Heisman Trophy for the FCS stage.
The Grizzlies are the highest scoring offense out of the Large 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 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-Large Sky first staff are tight finish Even Shafer, offensive deal with 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 deal with Quentin Christensen, tight finish Greyton Gannon, defensive deal with Kobe Clayborne and punter Max Pelham, in line 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).
