What Is 1935 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1935 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1935 college football season, finishing with a 3–3–1 record under head coach Doug Fessenden, who was in his third year leading the program.

Key Facts

The 1935 Montana Grizzlies finished the season with a 3–3–1 overall record
Doug Fessenden was the head coach, serving his third season in 1935
The team played as an independent with no conference affiliation
Home games were held at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, Montana
The Grizzlies scored 91 total points while allowing 85 across seven games

Overview

The 1935 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1935 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Doug Fessenden, who was in his third year at the helm. The Grizzlies played their home games at Dornblaser Field, a modest on-campus stadium in Missoula.

This season marked a period of transition for the program, as Montana continued to build consistency in intercollegiate football. The 1935 campaign saw a balanced performance, with the team scoring slightly more points than it allowed. Despite not participating in a formal conference, the Grizzlies faced a mix of regional and in-state opponents.

Record: The Grizzlies finished the 1935 season with a 3–3–1 overall record, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent performance across seven games.
Head Coach:Doug Fessenden entered his third season as head coach, having taken over the program in 1933 and gradually shaping its direction.
Scoring: Montana scored 91 points during the season while allowing 85 points, indicating a closely contested set of matchups.
Home Field: The team played home games at Dornblaser Field, a small wooden stadium that served as the Grizzlies' home until the 1960s.
Opponents: The schedule included schools such as Montana State, Gonzaga, and Whitman College, all common regional rivals at the time.

How It Works

College football in 1935 operated under different structural norms compared to today, especially for smaller programs like Montana. Without formal conference alignment, scheduling was decentralized and often regionally focused. Teams arranged games independently, relying on proximity and historical rivalries.

Independent Status:The 1935 Grizzlies had no conference affiliation, which meant they scheduled opponents independently and were not bound by league rules or postseason eligibility.
Game Format: Games followed standard 11-player, 60-minute rules, with four 15-minute quarters and scoring based on touchdowns, field goals, and safeties.
Season Length: The team played seven games in the 1935 season, a typical number for smaller programs during the era.
Recruiting: Rosters were largely composed of in-state and regional players, as national scouting and scholarships were not yet widespread.
Coaching Structure: Doug Fessenden managed all aspects of the program with minimal staff support, common for schools of Montana’s size at the time.
Game Day Experience: Attendance averaged fewer than 5,000 fans, and broadcasts were limited to local radio or print coverage.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1935 Grizzlies can be better understood by comparing their season to nearby programs and historical benchmarks from the same era.

Team	Year	Record	Points For	Points Against
Montana Grizzlies	1935	3–3–1	91	85
Montana State Bobcats	1935	3–5–0	75	97
Gonzaga Bulldogs	1935	4–5–0	102	103
Idaho Vandals	1935	4–5–0	98	112
Washington State Cougars	1935	5–5–0	138	104

This comparison shows that Montana’s performance in 1935 was slightly above average among regional peers. While not dominant, the Grizzlies outperformed Montana State in both win percentage and point differential. Their scoring output and defense were relatively balanced, placing them in the middle tier of Northwest football programs that year.

Why It Matters

The 1935 season contributes to the broader narrative of Montana’s football development, illustrating the challenges and achievements of early 20th-century college football in the American West. Though not a championship year, it reflects the steady growth of the program under consistent leadership.

Historical Record: The 1935 season is preserved in official NCAA archives and university records, contributing to Montana’s long-term athletic history.
Rivalry Development: Games against Montana State helped solidify what would become one of the region’s fiercest rivalries, known today as the Brawl of the Wild.
Program Building: Doug Fessenden’s tenure laid foundational coaching standards that influenced future staff and player development.
Regional Identity: Independent scheduling emphasized local and regional matchups, reinforcing community ties and fan loyalty.
Evolution of the Sport: The 1935 season highlights how college football has evolved in terms of structure, media coverage, and athletic investment.
Legacy: Early seasons like 1935 are referenced in Montana’s official media guides and historical retrospectives.

While overshadowed by more successful campaigns, the 1935 Montana Grizzlies remain a piece of the university’s athletic heritage, illustrating the perseverance and regional significance of collegiate sports in the interwar period.