Grizzlies Fall Out of Top 25 Poll for First Time in 14 Years

For the first time in 195 straight weeks, the Montana Grizzlies have dropped out of the Championship Subdivision Top 25 poll just released Monday morning.

After their second straight league loss on Saturday night in Cheney 32-26 to Eastern Washington, the Griz now stand at 0-2 in Big Sky Conference play, and are 2-3 overall. The Griz have wins over South Dakota and Liberty, with losses to Appalachian State, Northern Arizona and eastern Washington.

Montana head coach Mick Delaney was not surprised by the poll, saying any team losing their first two conference games should not be in the top 25. Delaney says turning the ball over twice inside the 20 yard line makes winning on the road nearly impossible, despite gaining over 400 yards on the ground against Eastern Washington. He says all the Griz can do is work to eliminate their mistakes, and try to win the rest of their games.

The Montana State Bobcats are ranked number 4 in the poll, followed by Eastern Washington at number 7, Cal Poly at number 12, and Northern Arizona at number 16.

The North Dakota State Bison are the number one ranked team.

Up next for the Griz, a Saturday road game at Northern Colorado.

Montana head coach Mick Delaney