Griz hosting a “really, really, quality opponent” in Monmouth

MISSOULA — The Montana Grizzlies made a big impression under the lights of Autzen Stadium and in the national spotlight of a #Pac12AfterDark game last week, holding the potent #15 Oregon offense to just 35 points.

Now the Grizzlies (2-1) return home on week four, and return to FCS play hosting the team’s final nonconference game of the year against Monmouth, a perennial contender in the Big South Conference.

While the Hawks might not fly as high as the Ducks on the national level, Monmouth comes to Missoula sitting at 2-1 on the season, and looking to make a big impression of their own as they seek a return to the FCS playoffs, where they advanced to the first round in 2017 before falling at Northern Iowa.

Now, two teams with playoff aspirations who are both earning top-25 votes collide in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, and UM head coach Bobby Hauck knows how vital the home-field advantage will be for his squad.

“They’ll be a great challenge,” said Hauck. “This is a huge game for us. We need our crowd here and be ready to go and try to be disruptive because this is a really, really, quality opponent who was in the playoffs two years ago. So, we’ve got our hands full with these guys.”

How huge is this game for the Grizzlies? With every game against an FCS opponent crucial when it comes to playoff seeding, Saturday’s matchup could be make-or-break for the Griz on the postseason, with league play around the corner.

That fact is compounded with a traditionally strong Monmouth team coming to Missoula, entering the week with a 19-5 record against FCS opponents since 2017 — the last time they advanced to the playoffs.

“These intersectional games are big when you’ve got a playoff system. So, for us, this is a huge game in that regard,” Hauck added.

WHERE TO WATCH: The Montana/Monmouth game will be broadcast statewide on your local FOX Montana station, and on SWX in the Billings market. Fox Montana is available over the airwaves, on Charter Cable, and on the DISH Network in Western Montana. Due to a contractual dispute, the game is not available on DirecTV. The game is available on the Altitude Sports Network via select regional cable companies in parts of Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Check local listings to see if the game is available in your area.

Fans around the country, and around the globe can find a web stream of the game at GoGriz.com/watch($).

LISTEN: “Voice of the Griz” Riley Corcoran and Greg Sundberg will bring you the action Washington-Grizzly Stadium over the airwaves on the Montana Grizzly Radio Network and its 13 affiliates across the state. Fans can also listen worldwide via the internet at GoGriz.com/listen and via TuneIn.com and the TuneIn App.