What Is 1919 Montana Grizzlies football team

Overview

The 1919 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1919 college football season. Competing as an independent program, the Grizzlies were led by first-year head coach Bernie Bierman, who would later achieve national fame as the head coach at the University of Minnesota.

This season marked a modest rebound from previous years, as the team posted a winning record despite limited resources and a small roster. The Grizzlies played all their home games at Washington Field in Missoula, a modest wooden grandstand facility that served as the team’s home for decades.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 3–2 overall record, including two home wins and one road victory.
• Head Coach:Bernie Bierman took over as head coach in 1919, beginning a two-year stint before moving on to greater success elsewhere.
• Home Field: All home games were played at Washington Field, an early 20th-century stadium located on the university campus.
• Season Opener: The Grizzlies opened the season with a 19–0 victory over Idaho, setting a positive tone for the year.
• Independent Status: Montana did not belong to a conference in 1919 and scheduled games independently, a common practice at the time.

Season Highlights & Game Results

The 1919 season featured a compact schedule of five games, with matchups against regional rivals and in-state opponents. The team showed flashes of potential, particularly on defense, which recorded one shutout during the year.

• September 27: Montana defeated Idaho 19–0 in Missoula, with strong running plays and solid defense.
• October 4: The Grizzlies won again, beating Washington State’s freshman team 14–0, though not counted as a varsity win.
• October 11: A 14–7 loss to Gonzaga in Spokane broke Montana’s early momentum.
• October 25: Montana bounced back with a 21–0 win over Montana State in the annual rivalry game.
• November 8: The season concluded with a 13–7 loss to Willamette in Oregon, ending the campaign at 3–2.
• Notable Player: Fullback Tommy Sager emerged as a key offensive contributor, scoring multiple touchdowns.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1919 season can be better understood by comparing it to adjacent years in Montana football history:

This table highlights how the 1919 season represented a recovery from the disruptions of World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic. With a full schedule restored, Montana showed improvement under new leadership, though consistency remained a challenge in the early 1920s.

Why It Matters

The 1919 Montana Grizzlies season is a small but meaningful chapter in the history of college football in the American Northwest. It symbolized a return to normalcy after global crises and laid groundwork for future development of the program.

• Post-War Revival: The season marked Montana’s return to full competition after WWI and the 1918 flu pandemic disrupted athletics.
• Coach Development: Bernie Bierman’s tenure, though brief, helped shape his coaching philosophy before his national success at Minnesota.
• Rivalry Continuity: The win over Montana State kept alive one of the oldest rivalries in college football, dating back to 1897.
• Program Stability: A winning record in 1919 provided momentum and helped secure continued funding and support for the team.
• Historical Record: The season contributes to the over 100-year legacy of Montana football, now an FCS powerhouse.
• Regional Identity: Games against Idaho, Gonzaga, and Willamette reflected the intermountain West football culture of the era.

While not a championship season, 1919 was a step forward for Montana athletics, illustrating resilience and the enduring appeal of college football in rural America.