What Is 1971 Montana Grizzlies football team

Overview

The 1971 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1971 NCAA College Division football season. Competing in the Big Sky Conference, the team was led by head coach Jack Swarthout in his ninth year at the helm and finished the season with a 6–5 overall record.

The Grizzlies showed resilience throughout the season, securing a share of the Big Sky title and earning a spot in the Camellia Bowl. Despite falling short in the postseason, the 1971 campaign marked a significant chapter in Montana football history.

• Head coach Jack Swarthout guided the team to a 6–5 record in his ninth season, maintaining consistent competitiveness in the Big Sky.
• The Grizzlies finished 3–3 in Big Sky Conference play, tying for second place with Northern Arizona and behind champion Cal State Northridge.
• They earned a postseason berth in the Camellia Bowl on December 18, 1971, held in Sacramento, California, a rare achievement for the program at the time.
• Montana lost the Camellia Bowl 28–21 to Cal Poly, a game that featured a tightly contested second half and strong defensive stands.
• The 1971 season was notable for quarterback Steve O’Malley, who led the offense with over 1,300 passing yards and nine touchdown throws.

How It Works

The 1971 Montana Grizzlies operated under the NCAA College Division structure, which preceded Division I-AA (now FCS). Their season schedule combined conference matchups and non-conference games to determine bowl eligibility and conference standings.

• Season Structure: The Grizzlies played a 11-game schedule, including six regular-season games and a postseason bowl appearance, following standard NCAA guidelines for the era.
• Big Sky Conference: Founded in 1963, the conference included six teams in 1971; Montana’s 3–3 record placed them in a three-way tie for second.
• Bowl Eligibility: Unlike today’s FBS, postseason play was limited; the Camellia Bowl was one of few opportunities for College Division teams to extend their season.
• Game Strategy: Montana relied on a balanced attack, averaging 21.5 points per game and utilizing both the run and pass under offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson.
• Home Field: The team played home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, a natural grass stadium with a capacity of approximately 12,000 at the time.
• Recruiting Base: The program focused on in-state talent and junior college transfers, typical for mid-tier programs in the early 1970s.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1971 season is best understood by comparing Montana’s performance to conference rivals and national peers in the College Division.

Montana’s performance mirrored that of Northern Arizona and Idaho State in conference play, but Cal Poly’s undefeated league record and strong defense set them apart. The Camellia Bowl appearance highlighted Montana’s status as a rising mid-tier program, though they fell short against a more experienced Cal Poly squad.

Why It Matters

The 1971 season laid groundwork for future success in Montana football, contributing to the program’s evolving identity and competitive standards in the Big Sky Conference.

• The Camellia Bowl appearance marked one of the earliest postseason berths for the Grizzlies, foreshadowing future FCS championship runs in the 1990s and 2000s.
• Jack Swarthout’s leadership helped stabilize the program, leading to seven winning seasons in nine years before his retirement in 1975.
• The season highlighted the importance of balanced offensive production, with Montana averaging 156 rushing and 139 passing yards per game.
• It demonstrated the growing competitiveness of the Big Sky Conference, which would eventually become a dominant FCS league.
• Player development in 1971 contributed to future NFL signees, including defensive end Bill Schmidt, who played for the New Orleans Saints.
• The season’s moderate success helped boost local fan engagement and attendance, setting the stage for stadium expansions in the 1980s.

Though not a championship year, the 1971 Montana Grizzlies season was a pivotal step in building a foundation for long-term program success and regional football pride.