With its statement win over then-No. 3 Weber State, the Montana football program has vaulted into the top three of the latest FCS polls, which were released Monday.
The Grizzlies dominated the Wildcats, 35-16, with wide receiver Samori Toure and linebacker Jace Lewis both earning Big Sky Conference player of the week recognition. The Griz (9-2 overall, 6-1 conference) are now ranked third in both the STATS FCS and coaches' poll. North Dakota State and James Madison occupy the top two spots in both sets of rankings.
With the loss, Weber State (8-3, 6-1) fell to sixth in the STATS poll and seventh in the coaches, just ahead of Montana State, which climbed to No. 8 in both polls from its No. 10 ranking last week. The Bobcats (8-3, 5-2) won 27-17 at UC Davis. Tristan Bailey was named the Big Sky's special teams player of the week.
Sacramento State is ranked fourth and is the only other Big Sky Conference team in the top 25, though Eastern Washington and UC Davis received votes.
The complete rankings can be viewed by clicking here.
The FCS regular season concludes Saturday with Montana State hosting Montana in the 119th Brawl of the Wild at noon Saturday. Weber State hosts Idaho State, Sacramento State hosts UC Davis and Eastern Washington hosts Portland State in other league games with potential playoff implications. The FCS playoff bracket will be revealed Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on ESPNU.
