Honestly, if you live anywhere near Missoula, you already know. The air felt a little thinner, and the mornings felt a lot colder after that December afternoon in Bozeman. When people search for the university montana football score, they aren't just looking for digits on a screen. They’re looking for an explanation.
How does a team go 13-1, looking like an absolute juggernaut, only to hit a brick wall in the FCS semifinals?
The final score was 48-23. Montana State.
It wasn't just a loss; it was a "Brawl of the Wild" that moved from the regular season to the biggest stage possible. For the first time in history, these two programs met in the playoffs. And for Griz fans, it was a nightmare in broad daylight.
The Decisive Playoff Blowout
Let’s look at the actual damage. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around at Bobcat Stadium on December 20, 2025, the game was essentially over. The Griz kept it close-ish at halftime, trailing 20-16. You could feel the hope. You've seen this movie before where Bobby Hauck’s squad finds a gear in the third quarter and just grinds people down.
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Not this time.
The Bobcats exploded. Montana State’s Adam Jones ran for 131 yards and two scores. Justin Lamson was surgical. By the time the clock hit zero, the Griz had surrendered 48 points—the most they’d given up all season.
It was a jarring end to what had been a magical run. Keali’i Ah Yat, who had been a revelation all year under center, finished the season with over 4,000 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. But in that final game, the pressure was just too much. The pocket collapsed, the run game couldn't get the same traction it had against South Dakota the week prior, and the defense simply ran out of gas.
Breaking Down the 2025 Season Numbers
Before that final collapse, the Griz were beating teams like they owed them money. Look at the mid-season stretch. They hung 63 points on Indiana State. They dropped 41 on a very good Idaho team.
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If you're looking for the university montana football score from the quarterfinal, that was a much happier memory: a 52-22 drubbing of South Dakota.
- September 27 vs. Idaho: W 41-30 (The Little Brown Stein stays home).
- November 15 at Portland State: W 63-17 (Total dominance).
- November 22 vs. Montana State: L 31-28 (The first sign of trouble).
- December 13 vs. South Dakota: W 52-22 (The peak of the season).
Eli Gillman was the soul of that offense. 1,540 rushing yards. He was a human highlight reel, consistently turning three-yard losses into six-yard gains. Then you had Michael Wortham, the Swiss Army knife who racked up 1,224 receiving yards while also being a threat to throw or run on any given play.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rivalry
People from outside Montana think the "Brawl of the Wild" is just another local derby. It isn't. When the university montana football score comes out in favor of the Cats twice in one season, it changes the mood of the entire state for months.
The narrative after the 48-23 semifinal loss was that the Griz were "frauds." That’s garbage. You don't go 13-2 by accident. You don't beat the defending champs or put up 50 points in a quarterfinal by being lucky.
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The reality? The Griz hit a matchup nightmare. Montana State’s offensive line was arguably the best in the country at the FCS level last year. They wore Montana down. By the third quarter in Bozeman, you could see the Griz linebackers were a step slow. It happens. Football is a game of attrition, and Montana State just had more left in the tank that day.
Looking Ahead to 2026
So, what now? The sting is still there, but the roster for 2026 is already taking shape.
Keali’i Ah Yat is returning. That’s the big one. Having a quarterback who has already thrown for 4,000 yards in a season gives you a massive head start. Bobby Hauck isn't going anywhere either. He’s the winningest coach in Big Sky history for a reason, and if anything, a blowout loss to the Bobcats usually results in a very "intense" spring camp.
Expect the defense to be the focal point of the offseason. You can't give up 48 points in a trophy game and expect to sleep well at night.
Actionable Next Steps for Griz Fans
- Check the 2026 Schedule: The Griz open against Utah Tech on August 29. It’s a chance to wash the taste of the MSU loss out of their mouths.
- Watch the Transfer Portal: With the way the game works now, keep an eye on defensive line depth. That was the missing piece in the semifinals.
- Secure Season Tickets: Washington-Grizzly Stadium is still the toughest place to play in the FCS. The home opener against Butler on September 5 will be electric.
The 2025 season was a masterpiece with a final chapter that someone accidentally spilled ink all over. But in Missoula, the expectation is never just to compete—it's to win it all. The road back to Frisco starts with fixing the mistakes made in Bozeman.