Montana Has Dominated Northern Colorado. Here’s the Complete History

This weekend marks the annual University of Montana Homecoming game. All the former Griz will migrate to Missoula for the football game and a chance to relive their glory-filled college days.

This year's game brings in the Northern Colorado Bears (2-3, 1-1). It''s extra special because UNC is Griz Football Head Coach Bobby Kennedy's alma mater.

Bobby Kennedy Returns to His Alma Mater's Backyard

Kennedy graduated from Northern Colorado with a political science degree in 1989. BK played quarterback at UNC for four seasons while the Bears were a Division II team. Unfortunately, there aren't stats recorded on UNC's website from the Division II days, but BK's Bears didn't make the Division II playoffs during his tenure.

Credit: Tommy Martino, University of Montana Athletics

His ties to Colorado run deeper than just his alma mater. Kennedy was born in Denver and grew up in Boulder, about an hour from Greeley.

Northern Colorado's History in the Big Sky

UNC joined the Big Sky Conference on their jump to the FCS in 2006. The Bears haven't won a conference title since joining the league. They haven't even finished above .500 in conference play in a single season and have finished dead last seven times.

The Grizzlies have dominated the Bears in the all-bear matchup. Montana is a robust 16-2 against UNC all-time. UNC won in 2016 (28-25) and in the first-ever meeting in 1976 (27-19). Both Bears wins came in Greeley. UNC is 0-9 in Missoula.

The Griz Have Shut Out UNC Three Straight Times

Montana rides an impressive streak into this weekend's game. The Griz have shut out UNC in three straight games and outscored the Bears 99-0.

The Griz picked off QB Kia'i Keone three times in 2024's 24-0 win in Greeley. In 2023, Montana's defense scored on two pick-sixes (Jaxon Lee and Braxton Hill INTs).

Jace Klucewich with one of the 3 INTs vs UNC. Credit: University of Montana Athletics

Here's the full list of all-time meetings: