How to watch No. 2 Montana vs. Southern Utah season opener
No. 2 Montana opens the 2026 season Saturday at 7 p.m. against Southern Utah at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, with Scripps Sports carrying the Big Sky conference opener on Montana CBS affiliates. The Southern Utah-Montana matchup marks Bobby Kennedy's first game as Grizzlies head coach and welcomes the Thunderbirds back to the league.
Key Takeaways
- No. 2 Montana hosts Southern Utah at 7 p.m. Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula.
- Scripps Sports broadcasts the Big Sky opener on local CBS affiliates across Montana.
- Southern Utah returns to the Big Sky after four seasons away; the teams last met in 2021.
- The game marks Bobby Kennedy's debut as Montana head coach under sky-high preseason expectations.
- SUU, coached by DeLane Fitzgerald, won seven games in each of the past two seasons.
When and where is the Southern Utah vs. Montana game?
The wait is nearly over for college football fans in Missoula. Montana kicks off its 2026 campaign Saturday evening at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m., according to MontanaSports.com.
Southern Utah returns to the Big Sky Conference, so this is a league game on opening weekend. The Thunderbirds and Grizzlies last met in 2021, Southern Utah's final year in the conference before its hiatus. Montana won that thriller 20-19 on a blocked field goal in what MontanaSports described as a bizarre contest.
How can you watch Montana vs. Southern Utah on TV?
Scripps Sports will carry the broadcast, MontanaSports.com reports. The Billings Gazette's 2026 Montana viewing guide covers how to watch, stream, and listen to Grizzlies football across television and digital platforms throughout the season.
For more streaming and TV alerts, confirm local listings before kickoff. MontanaSports.com identifies Scripps Sports as the broadcaster for this Southern Utah matchup on opening night.
Why does this Southern Utah-Montana opener matter?
For Montana, the night begins a new era under Bobby Kennedy. He told MontanaSports.com that success will be determined by how the team comes together, bonds, and looks out for one another, adding that coaching these players is an honor.
Quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat said the Grizzlies want to show everything Kennedy instills on the field, joking it is an opportunity to make the new coach look good on Saturday. Kennedy said he is comfortable with his staff and players despite the pressures of a first game in the role.
What should fans know about each team?
Montana enters ranked No. 2 nationally with a loaded offense, questions on defense, and several new staff faces. Kennedy praised Southern Utah's ground game, citing their inside and outside zone runs, quarterback runs, and play-action threats over the top.
UM linebacker Peyton Wing called SUU a good running team whose quarterback and running backs are tough to defend, with a strong offensive line. Under DeLane Fitzgerald, Southern Utah has been a fringe playoff team with seven wins in each of the past two seasons, including six straight victories to close 2025.
Skyline Sports reported that Fitzgerald and SUU defensive coordinator Shay McClure discussed the challenges of facing No. 2 Montana in Missoula on Saturday night as the Thunderbirds test themselves against one of the nation's top programs.