What Is 1962 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1962 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the 1962 NCAA College Division football season, finishing with a 4–5 overall record under head coach Phil Sarboe.

Key Facts

The 1962 Montana Grizzlies had a 4–5 overall record.
They played in the NCAA College Division, the precursor to Division II.
Head coach Phil Sarboe led the team during his fifth season.
The Grizzlies played home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula.
They were part of the Big Sky Conference, though it did not sponsor football until 1963.

Overview

The 1962 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1962 NCAA College Division football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Phil Sarboe, who was in his fifth year at the helm. The Grizzlies played their home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, Montana, a venue known for its high elevation and challenging conditions for visiting teams.

This season marked a transitional period for Montana football, as the Big Sky Conference would begin sponsoring football the following year in 1963. The 1962 campaign reflected both the growing pains and potential of a program building toward greater conference alignment and national recognition. Despite a losing record, the season contributed to the long-term development of Montana's football legacy.

Record: The team finished with a 4–5 overall record, showing moderate improvement from previous seasons under Sarboe’s leadership.
Head Coach:Phil Sarboe served as head coach from 1958 to 1967, compiling a 38–54–3 record over a decade.
Home Field:Dornblaser Field was the Grizzlies’ home stadium, located near the Clark Fork River with a capacity of around 13,000.
Conference Status: Montana competed as an independent in 1962, as the Big Sky Conference did not sponsor football until 1963.
Season Outcome: The Grizzlies won key games against in-state rivals but struggled against stronger regional opponents.

Season Structure and Competition

The 1962 season followed a standard fall football schedule, with games played from September through November. As an independent team, Montana scheduled opponents from various conferences and divisions, facing a mix of regional and national competition. The team’s performance reflected the challenges of mid-tier college football during this era, balancing limited resources with growing athletic ambitions.

Scheduling: The Grizzlies played a 9-game schedule, facing teams from Idaho, Washington, and California.
Offensive Output: Montana scored 114 total points across the season, averaging about 12.7 points per game.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 159 points, averaging 17.7 points per game against.
Key Victory: A notable 21–7 win over Idaho State highlighted the team’s ability to dominate weaker opponents.
Losses: The Grizzlies lost to Whitworth (7–14) and Western Washington (13–20), both strong regional programs.
Rivalry Game: The annual “Brawl of the Wild” against Montana State was not played in 1962 due to scheduling conflicts.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1962 Montana Grizzlies with other regional teams from the same season:

Team	Overall Record	Points For	Points Against	Head Coach
Montana Grizzlies	4–5	114	159	Phil Sarboe
Montana State Bobcats	3–6	107	138	Jim Sweeney
Idaho State Bengals	3–7	98	134	Jim Macy
Whitworth Pirates	6–2–1	155	88	Jack Myers
Western Washington Vikings	6–3	134	97	Dean Warden

The table shows that while Montana’s record was slightly better than some rivals, their point differential indicated room for improvement. Whitworth and Western Washington outperformed Montana in both wins and defensive efficiency, highlighting the competitive gap in the region. Despite this, Montana’s program was on a trajectory of steady growth, culminating in future success in the Big Sky Conference.

Why It Matters

The 1962 season is a small but meaningful chapter in the history of Montana Grizzlies football, reflecting the program’s evolution during the early 1960s. While not a championship season, it laid groundwork for future competitiveness as the university prepared to join formal conference play.

Historical Context: The season occurred just before Montana joined the Big Sky Conference in 1963, marking a shift toward structured competition.
Program Development: Each season under Sarboe helped refine recruiting, coaching, and athletic administration practices.
Player Development: Several players from the 1962 team went on to become key contributors in subsequent seasons.
Community Support: Games at Dornblaser Field continued to build local fan engagement in Missoula.
Legacy: The 1962 team is part of the foundation that led to Montana’s later FCS national championships in 1995 and 2001.
Historical Record: The season is documented in university archives, preserving Montana’s athletic heritage.

Understanding the 1962 season helps contextualize the long-term rise of Montana football, showing how incremental progress contributed to future success on the national stage.