Montana vs Montana State: 125th Brawl of the Wild a first in FCS playoffs
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The fourth-oldest rivalry in the FCS will experience a first on Saturday.
Montana and Montana State have been playing each other since 1897, and the 125th Brawl of the Wild will be the first edition in the FCS playoffs. And the stakes are a trip to the national championship game.
When the Ole Miss vs. Tulane first round College Football Playoff game gets out of hand (the Rebels beat the Green Wave 45-10 earlier this year), switch over to ABC to catch possibly the biggest sporting event in Montana history with a sold-out, frenzied crowd in Bozeman.
No. 2 Montana State beat No. 3 Montana, 31-28, in the regular-season finale on Nov. 22. Now, they meet in the FCS semifinals.
The Bobcats (12-2) are looking to make back-to-back FCS title games after finishing runner-up last year. The Grizzlies (13-1) last made the title game in 2023. The winner gets to face winner of Villanova vs. Illinois State.
The schools are on opposite sides of the Continental Divide and play for The Great Divide Trophy, which weights 306 pounds. Since 1993, it’s been the last game of the regular season, usually deciding the Big Sky Conference title. The schools have combined for 41 conference titles and five national titles.
Montana has the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in running back Eli Gillman (1,434 rushing yards, 20 TDs).
Montana State has the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in defensive back Caden Dowler (90 tackles, six INT).
Brawl of the Wild Montana vs Montana State TV channel, time
- Time/Date: 4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Dec. 20
- TV: ABC
- Where: Bozeman, Montana
Brock Osweiler will call game for ABC
Brock Osweiler, the former Denver Broncos QB and Montana high school star, will be in the booth for ABC calling the Brawl of the Wild.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brawl of the Wild 2.0 Montana vs Montana State rematch in FCS playoffs
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