If you were looking for a fairytale ending in Bozeman, the final griz football game score from the FCS Semifinals probably felt more like a gut punch.
It was December 20, 2025. The air was cold, the stakes were impossibly high, and for the first time in history, the "Brawl of the Wild" moved to the postseason. People have been talking about a playoff matchup between Montana and Montana State for decades. We finally got it. But for Griz fans, the 48-23 outcome wasn't exactly what they had in mind when the bus pulled into Bobcat Stadium.
Breaking Down the Numbers: How the Griz Football Game Score Got Away
Look, the 125th meeting between these two programs was supposed to be a toss-up. Montana came in as the #3 seed with a 13-1 record, having just absolutely demolished South Dakota State (50-29) and South Dakota (52-22) in the earlier rounds. They were scoring points like they were going out of style.
Then they hit the Bobcat wall.
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The Scoring Flow
- First Quarter: Things actually started somewhat tight, but the Bobcats struck early.
- The Middle Rounds: By halftime, you could feel the momentum shifting. Montana State’s run game was relentless.
- The Final Blow: A 48-23 final score reflects a second half where the Griz just couldn't find an answer for the ground-and-pound strategy of their rivals.
Honestly, it’s wild how much one game can change the narrative of an entire season. Before that Saturday in December, the Grizzlies were riding an 11-0 regular-season heater before a narrow three-point loss to the Bobcats in November. They looked like the team of destiny.
The Players Who Defined the 2025 Campaign
You can't talk about the griz football game score without talking about Keali'i Ah Yat. The sophomore quarterback had a breakout year, basically cementing himself as the next great signal-caller in Missoula. In the win over Central Washington early in the season, he was dropping 76-yard bombs to Michael Wortham.
And then there’s Eli Gillman.
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He’s basically a human highlight reel. Against Cal Poly, when the Griz were trailing 9-0 at the half (yeah, that really happened), Gillman took over. He finished that game with 165 total yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. He was the engine that kept the Griz offense moving when things got stagnant.
Key Stats from the Semifinal Loss
- Total Points Allowed: 48 (The most the Griz defense gave up all year).
- Rushing Defense: Montana State’s Adam Jones ran for 131 yards and two scores.
- Turnover Margin: The Bobcats were +17 in their final 11 games, and that discipline showed in the playoffs.
Why the Griz Football Game Score Matters for 2026
If you’re a Griz fan, you’re probably still stinging from that 23-48 loss. I get it. Losing twice to your arch-rival in the same season—once for the Big Sky title and once for a trip to the National Championship—is a tough pill to swallow.
But perspective is everything. Bobby Hauck’s squad finished 13-2. They spent the majority of the season ranked in the top 5. They beat ranked Idaho and North Dakota teams back-to-back in September. They essentially owned the Missouri Valley Football Conference in the "Challenge Series," going 3-0 against those teams.
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The reality is that Montana is still a powerhouse. The 2025 season wasn't a failure; it was a "nearly there" moment that sets the stage for a massive 2026.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you want to keep up with how the program is rebuilding for next year, here is what you actually need to do:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: Coach Hauck added 28 transfers last year. Expect another aggressive recruiting cycle to patch up the defensive line before the August 29 kickoff.
- Mark the Calendar: The 2026 season opener isn't officially set in stone for the Griz yet, but the Bobcats already have Utah Tech on the schedule. Keep an eye on the Big Sky conference releases in February.
- Review the Tape: If you missed the playoff run, the highlights of the South Dakota State game are still on the Big Sky Conference YouTube channel. It's a reminder of what this team looks like when they are firing on all cylinders.
The 48-23 score in Bozeman is a historical footnote now, but the foundation built by Ah Yat and Gillman suggests the Griz aren't going anywhere.