What Is 1964 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1964 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the 1964 NCAA College Division football season, finishing with a 4-5 overall record under head coach Phil Sarboe. They competed in the Big Sky Conference, posting a 2-3 conference record.

Key Facts

The 1964 Montana Grizzlies football team had a 4-5 overall record
They played in the Big Sky Conference and went 2-3 in conference games
Head coach Phil Sarboe led the team during his seventh season
Home games were played at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, Montana
The team scored 126 points total, averaging 14.0 points per game

Overview

The 1964 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1964 NCAA College Division football season. Competing as a member of the Big Sky Conference, the Grizzlies played under head coach Phil Sarboe, who was in his seventh year at the helm.

The team struggled to achieve consistency, finishing with a 4-5 overall record and a 2-3 mark in conference play. Despite not securing a postseason berth, the season provided key development for the program amid growing regional competition.

Season Record: The Grizzlies finished the 1964 season with a 4-5 overall win-loss record, reflecting a below-.500 performance across nine games.
Conference Play: In Big Sky Conference competition, Montana went 2-3, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
Head Coach: Phil Sarboe served as head coach for his seventh consecutive season, leading the team from 1958 to 1964 before stepping down.
Home Field: The team played home games at Dornblaser Field, a multi-purpose stadium located on the University of Montana campus in Missoula.
Scoring Output: Montana scored a total of 126 points during the season, averaging 14.0 points per game, while allowing more than 18 points per game defensively.

How It Works

The 1964 season followed standard NCAA College Division (now Division II) football rules and scheduling practices, with Montana playing a nine-game regular season schedule. The structure emphasized regional matchups and conference standings.

Season Format: The NCAA College Division governed teams like Montana, separating them from larger University Division programs. Games followed standard 11-player, 60-minute rules.
Big Sky Conference: Founded in 1963, the Big Sky was still new in 1964, and Montana was one of its founding members, helping shape its early competitive landscape.
Game Schedule: The Grizzlies played five home games and four away games, facing opponents from Idaho, Washington, and other regional colleges.
Scoring System: Points were awarded as standard: 6 for a touchdown, 1 for an extra point, 2 for a two-point conversion, and 3 for a field goal.
Player Eligibility: Athletes were required to meet NCAA academic and amateurism standards, with four years of eligibility allowed over five years.
Coaching Staff: Phil Sarboe led a small staff typical of the era, relying on position coaches and limited recruiting budgets compared to modern programs.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1964 Montana Grizzlies compare to other Big Sky teams from the same season:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Points Scored
Montana	4-5	2-3	Phil Sarboe	126
Montana State	5-4-1	3-2	Jim Sweeney	186
Idaho State	3-7	1-4	Jim Greene	102
Idaho	5-5	3-2	Forrest Twogood	148
Eastern Washington	3-7	1-4	Doug Scovil	118

The table shows that Montana’s performance was slightly below the conference median. While not the worst in the standings, they trailed rivals like Montana State and Idaho in both wins and scoring. The era emphasized regional rivalries and limited travel, shaping scheduling and team development.

Why It Matters

The 1964 season is a snapshot of Montana’s football program during a transitional period in college athletics. As a founding Big Sky member, the Grizzlies helped establish the conference’s competitive framework.

Historical Context: The 1964 season occurred just one year after the Big Sky Conference was officially formed, marking early development of organized play.
Program Legacy: Phil Sarboe’s tenure ended after this season, paving the way for new leadership and eventual improvements in the 1970s.
Regional Identity: Games against Idaho, Montana State, and Eastern Washington reinforced long-standing regional rivalries still relevant today.
Player Development: The season provided experience for future leaders, contributing to the foundation of stronger teams in later years.
Game Evolution: Comparing 1964 stats to modern play shows how offensive strategies and training have evolved over decades.
Archival Value: Records from this season are preserved in university archives, offering insights into the history of college football in the Northwest.

The 1964 Montana Grizzlies may not have achieved postseason glory, but they played a role in shaping the trajectory of a program that would later become a dominant force in FCS football.