What Is 1912 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1912 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1912 college football season, finishing with a 2–3 record under head coach Roy McLaren. They played as an independent team with no conference affiliation.

Key Facts

The 1912 Montana Grizzlies finished the season with a 2–3 overall record
Roy McLaren was the head coach during the 1912 season
The team played as an independent with no conference affiliation
Home games were played in Missoula, Montana, on campus grounds
The 1912 season marked the program’s 11th year of intercollegiate football

Overview

The 1912 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1912 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was in its 11th season of organized football and was led by head coach Roy McLaren, who was in his first year at the helm.

The Grizzlies played a short schedule by modern standards, facing regional opponents without the structure of a formal conference. Despite limited resources and travel constraints common in early 20th-century college football, the team contributed to the foundation of Montana’s athletic tradition.

Record: The 1912 Montana Grizzlies finished the season with a 2–3 overall record, marking a modest performance in a transitional year for the program.
Head Coach: Roy McLaren served as head coach in 1912, beginning a brief tenure that included just one season at the University of Montana.
Season Duration: The team played five documented games between October and November 1912, typical of the abbreviated schedules of that era.
Home Field: Games were hosted on campus in Missoula, Montana, where early Grizzly teams played on rudimentary fields without permanent grandstands.
Opponents: The 1912 schedule included regional teams such as Idaho, Gonzaga, and Montana State, reflecting the geographic constraints of early college football.

Season Performance

The 1912 season showcased the evolving nature of college football in the American Northwest. With no formal conference alignment, Montana scheduled games independently, relying on rivalries and proximity to build its slate.

October 5, 1912: The Grizzlies opened the season with a loss to Idaho, falling 0–12 in a game that highlighted early struggles on offense.
October 12: Montana bounced back with a 13–6 victory over Gonzaga, demonstrating improved offensive execution and defensive resilience.
October 19: A 0–6 loss to Washington State underscored the challenge of competing against stronger Pacific Coast programs.
October 26: The Grizzlies secured their second win, defeating Montana State 14–0 in a rivalry game that drew strong local interest.
November 2: The season concluded with a 0–13 loss to Whitman College, ending the campaign on a down note.
Scoring: Montana scored 27 points total across the season while allowing 43, reflecting a defense that struggled against stronger opponents.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1912 season to later years reveals the evolution of the Montana football program in terms of structure, competition, and resources.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Conference	Home Stadium
1912	2–3	Roy McLaren	Independent	On-campus field, Missoula
1920	3–2–1	D.G. Douglass	Independent	Missoula
1950	5–5	Ted Shipkey	Independent	Dornblaser Field
1995	11–3	Don Read	Big Sky	Washington-Grizzly Stadium
2011	11–3	Robin Pflugrad	Big Sky	Washington-Grizzly Stadium

The table illustrates how Montana football evolved from a regional independent program in 1912 to a national FCS contender by the late 20th century. While early teams like the 1912 Grizzlies laid the groundwork, later decades brought conference affiliation, improved facilities, and greater national visibility.

Why It Matters

The 1912 season is a small but significant chapter in the history of Montana athletics, reflecting the humble beginnings of a program that would later achieve national prominence. Understanding early seasons helps contextualize the growth of college sports in the western United States.

Historical Foundation: The 1912 team contributed to the establishment of football traditions that continue at the University of Montana today.
Coaching Legacy: Roy McLaren’s single season is part of the broader narrative of coaching turnover in early college football programs.
Regional Rivalries: Games against Montana State and Gonzaga in 1912 helped lay the groundwork for long-standing regional rivalries.
Amateur Era: The season reflects the amateur nature of college sports before widespread scholarships and media coverage.
Program Growth: From a 2–3 record in 1912, Montana eventually reached the FCS National Championship game multiple times.
Archival Value: Records from 1912 are preserved in university archives, offering insight into early 20th-century collegiate athletics.

Though the 1912 Montana Grizzlies did not achieve national recognition, their season remains a testament to the enduring spirit of college football and the slow, steady development of athletic programs in the American West.