What Is 2017 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Bob Stitt and advancing to the FCS playoffs, where they lost in the first round.

Key Facts

The 2017 Montana Grizzlies finished the regular season with a 6–5 overall record
They went 4–4 in Big Sky Conference play, qualifying for the FCS playoffs
Head coach Bob Stitt was fired after the season, ending his four-year tenure
The team lost 38–10 to North Dakota State in the first round of the FCS playoffs
Montana played home games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana

Overview

The 2017 Montana Grizzlies football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as members of the Big Sky Conference. Led by fourth-year head coach Bob Stitt, the team aimed to rebound from a 7–4 season in 2016 and return to playoff prominence after years of postseason appearances.

Despite inconsistent performances, the Grizzlies secured a 6–5 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play, earning an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs. Their season concluded with a first-round loss to the eventual national champions, North Dakota State.

Record: The team finished the season with a 6–5 overall record and a 4–4 Big Sky Conference record, marking a slight decline from previous years.
Head coach:Bob Stitt served as head coach for his fourth and final season, finishing with a 27–20 record before being dismissed after the year.
Home stadium: The Grizzlies played home games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana, a venue known for its loud and passionate fan base.
Playoff appearance: Montana earned an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs, their 19th overall appearance, but lost 38–10 to North Dakota State on December 2, 2017.
Key player: Quarterback Dalton Sneed started most games, throwing for 2,134 yards and 17 touchdowns despite battling injuries throughout the season.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2017 campaign was marked by offensive struggles and defensive inconsistencies, especially in high-pressure conference matchups. While the Grizzlies showed flashes of competitiveness, they failed to secure crucial wins against top-tier Big Sky opponents.

Early season: Montana opened with a 37–34 win over Western Illinois on September 2, 2017, but followed with a 37–35 loss to North Dakota.
Midseason slump: The team dropped three of four games in October, including a 42–21 loss to Eastern Washington, a top FCS contender.
Defensive performance: The defense allowed an average of 31.5 points per game, their highest since 2011, contributing to their playoff exit.
Offensive stats: The Grizzlies averaged 387.6 yards per game, led by running back JJ Marsh, who rushed for 723 yards.
Final game: Their season ended with a 38–10 defeat to North Dakota State, who went on to win the 2017 FCS National Championship.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2017 Montana Grizzlies compared to recent seasons and conference peers:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Playoff Result	Head Coach
2017	6–5	4–4	First Round Exit	Bob Stitt
2016	7–4	5–3	No bid	Bob Stitt
2015	7–4	6–2	Quarterfinals	Bob Stitt
2014	7–4	5–3	First Round Exit	Mick Delaney
2013	8–4	7–1	Quarterfinals	Mick Delaney

The 2017 season marked a downward trend for the program under Stitt, who was fired shortly after the playoff loss. While Montana remained competitive, they failed to match the success of earlier years, particularly in the postseason. The team’s inability to close out close games and defensive lapses were recurring issues.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a turning point for Montana football, signaling the end of the Bob Stitt era and prompting a program reset. The results underscored the need for structural and coaching changes to restore the team’s FCS dominance.

Coaching change:Bob Stitt was fired in December 2017, ending a four-year tenure that included no conference titles or semifinal appearances.
Program legacy: Montana has a storied FCS history, with two national titles (1995, 2001) and over 20 playoff appearances, making sustained success expected.
Recruiting impact: The 2017 season’s underperformance affected recruiting momentum, leading to a restructured approach under new leadership.
Stadium advantage:Washington-Grizzly Stadium regularly draws over 20,000 fans, giving Montana one of the best home-field advantages in FCS.
Conference competitiveness: The Big Sky was among the strongest FCS conferences in 2017, with four teams reaching the playoffs, raising the bar for Montana.
Future outlook: The 2017 season’s challenges paved the way for Bryan Harsin’s eventual hiring as offensive coordinator, influencing future program direction.

Ultimately, the 2017 Montana Grizzlies season served as a catalyst for change, highlighting both the program’s enduring expectations and the challenges of maintaining elite status in modern FCS football.