The history of portland state football vs montana grizzlies football is basically a story of Big Sky heavyweights colliding in ways that defy logic. If you’ve followed these two programs, you know the vibe. On one side, you have the Griz—a perennial powerhouse with a fan base that treats Saturday in Missoula like a religious holiday. On the other, the Portland State Vikings, a team that often plays with a "chip-on-the-shoulder" energy, occasionally pulling off upsets that leave the rest of the conference scratching their heads.
Honestly, the 2025 meeting was a prime example of how quickly things can spiral in this series.
What happened at Providence Park?
For the first time in seven years, Portland State returned to Providence Park in November 2025 to host the #2 ranked Grizzlies. The atmosphere was electric. Over 9,000 fans showed up, making it the largest home crowd the Vikings had seen in nearly a decade.
The game started like a storybook for PSU. Pierce Walker recovered a squib kick on the opening play, and within 40 seconds, Tyrese Smith scrambled into the end zone. The Vikings were up 7-0. You could feel the "upset alert" sirens starting to hum.
But then, reality set in.
Montana didn’t just respond; they dismantled the Vikings. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Griz had piled up 63 points. The final score of 63-17 looks like a blowout—and it was—but the box score tells a weirdly different story. At halftime, Portland State actually had more total yards than Montana (262 to 154). The difference? Turnovers.
Montana’s defense is a different breed. They picked off five passes in that game, the most in any single FCS game that season. When you give Bobby Hauck’s squad that many short fields, you’re basically asking for a 40-point loss. Peyton Wing, a former Viking who transferred to Montana, even got in on the action with a 34-yard interception return to set up a score. Talk about a "revenge game" narrative coming to life.
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Breaking down the coaching clash
You can't talk about portland state football vs montana grizzlies football without looking at the guys on the sidelines. Bruce Barnum at PSU is a legend in his own right—known for "BarnyBall" and a personality that is as authentic as it gets. But he’s had a tough run against the Griz, sitting at 2-7 after the latest loss.
On the other side, Bobby Hauck is rewriting the history books. With that 2025 victory over PSU, he became the all-time winningest coach in Big Sky history for both overall and conference wins.
Hauck has a specific philosophy: structured, detailed, and aggressive. He leans on guys like Eli Gillman, who tore through the Vikings' defense for a 60-yard touchdown run in 2025. Gillman finished that season as the Big Sky’s top rusher, and watching him hit a gap is like watching a sprinter at the Olympics—once he’s through the first level, he’s gone.
The grit of the Vikings
Despite the lopsided scores recently, Portland State remains a dangerous out. They play arguably the hardest schedule in the nation year after year. In 2024 and 2025, the Massey Ratings ranked their Strength of Schedule as #1 in the FCS.
Think about that for a second. While some teams are scheduling "cupcake" games to pad their win-loss record, PSU is out there playing ranked FBS teams and the top five FCS teams in the country. It hardens them.
Tyrese Smith, the Vikings' freshman QB in 2025, showed why there’s hope in Portland. Even when the game was out of reach, he ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run. He finished with over 100 yards on the ground. That’s the PSU DNA—they might be down, but they’re going to make you work until the final whistle.
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Historical context and weird stats
If you look at the all-time series, Montana leads 36-13. The Griz have won the last six meetings, but it hasn’t always been this way.
- 2018: PSU went into Missoula and shocked the Griz 22-20.
- 2015: The Vikings dominated Montana 35-16 in Portland.
- The "Mouse Davis" Era: PSU's offensive identity is still rooted in the legacy of Mouse Davis, who was honored during the 2025 matchup.
One stat that most people miss: Portland State has actually played more games against Montana than any other Big Sky opponent. We’re talking 49 meetings as of late 2025. It’s a rivalry of familiarity. They know each other’s schemes, they recruit the same kids in the Pacific Northwest, and there’s a genuine respect—and maybe a little bit of loathing—between the two fan bases.
Why people get this matchup wrong
The common misconception is that Portland State is just a "win" on Montana’s schedule. That’s a lazy take.
If you watch the tape of the 2024 game in Missoula, it was a 28-17 battle. It was a one-score game for a significant chunk of the second half. PSU out-rushed the Griz in that game, 213 to 199. The Vikings have a way of dragging Montana into a dogfight, even if they don't always have the depth to finish it.
The Grizzlies thrive on special teams and turnovers. In 2025, Montana led the Big Sky in interceptions. If you play them clean, you have a chance. If you start throwing "ducks" into the secondary, you’re going to give up 60 points. It’s that simple.
Looking toward the next kickoff
For Portland State to turn the tide, they have to fix the defensive leak. In 2025, they were allowing over 40 points per game. You can’t beat a team like Montana when your defense is giving up nearly 300 yards on the ground.
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Montana, meanwhile, is in a "national championship or bust" mode. Their consistency under Hauck is staggering. They don’t just win; they exert will. Guys like Keali'i Ah Yat at quarterback have brought a level of passing efficiency that makes their run game even more lethal.
What to watch for in future games
If you're heading to a game or watching on ESPN+, keep an eye on these specific dynamics:
- The Turnover Margin: This is the #1 predictor of success in this series. If PSU is even or +1, the game is usually a nail-biter.
- The First Quarter Momentum: PSU tends to start fast (like that opening TD in 2025). Montana tends to be a second-half "avalanche" team.
- Transfer Impact: Watch for the "local" guys. Players moving between these two schools via the portal has added a new layer of drama to the rosters.
The portland state football vs montana grizzlies football matchup represents the best of the Big Sky. It's about a big-city program trying to find its footing against a mountain-town juggernaut. It’s a contrast in styles, resources, and atmospheres.
For the Vikings, the goal is clear: translate those flashes of offensive brilliance into four quarters of disciplined football. For the Grizzlies, it’s about maintaining the standard.
The best way to stay ahead of the next matchup is to track the recruiting trails in Oregon and Washington, as these two often battle for the same three-star athletes who end up deciding the game three years later. Keep an eye on the injury reports leading up to November—Big Sky football is a war of attrition, and depth is usually where Montana finds its late-season edge.