Overview
- Kickoff is Saturday at 2 p.m. MT at Bobcat Stadium, with national TV coverage on ABC and streaming via the ESPN app.
- Tickets sold out quickly and secondary-market prices soared, signaling a packed house for the 125th meeting of the rivals.
- The matchup is the programs’ first-ever postseason meeting, with the winner advancing to the Jan. 5 FCS championship in Nashville.
- Montana State is 39-2 at home under coach Brent Vigen and 3-0 in home semifinals, while Montana enters its 12th semifinal at 8-3 all-time in the round.
- Player form shapes the rematch: MSU’s Adam Jones is coming off 160 yards and three TDs vs. SFA, while UM’s Keali‘i Ah Yat and Eli Gillman have powered the Grizzlies’ playoff surge, and alumni groups have organized 50 watch parties nationwide.