Despite the minor disappointment after the weekend’s stunning 9:55 loss to the Bobcats in the Brawl of the Wild, football fans are still behind the Grizzlies as they head into the playoffs.
The Grizzlies take on the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at 8 p.m. Saturday
This is the first time the two teams will face off and the game will be played at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Fans lined up at the box office at the Adams Center on the University of Montana campus on Monday to pick up their tickets for the upcoming game.
Most fans were positive about this Saturday.
They said they are excited to see a playoff game under the lights at home in Missoula.
The University of Montana students we spoke to were even more optimistic.
Sophomore Camden Gubser loves watching Montana Football for the camaraderie of the team.
“It’s just amazing to be able to be a Griz fan,” he said. “There’s no environment I’ve been in as far as football is concerned where a brotherhood and a family mean as much to the team as the Griz do.”
Gubser is confident in the Griz offense and says it’s been great all year.
He says this Saturday’s game will boil down to the Griz’s ability to defend the Redhawks’ offense.
“They have a really good running back,” he remarked. “I think it just comes down to how good our front seven can be on defense. If we can go up against their running back, I think we’re going to have that game in the bag for sure.”
Sophomore Will Thomas was at the Brawl of the Wild in Bozeman last weekend and despite the loss he is confident in the Grizzlies’ abilities.
“I have no doubt that we have something to prove after last week’s tough game and I think the team will put on a show for us,” he said.
While Thomas expects a Griz win this weekend, he’s nervous for the rest of the playoff road in Montana.
“I think it will be a challenge. Assuming we win this week, we’ll head to the state of North Dakota and play along the way. I think every game is a challenge from here,” said Thomas.
Senior Brooke Deruwe is just looking forward to seeing her team play at least one more game at home before she graduates.
“I’m just happy to be back in Wa-Griz with everyone. This is my last game as a student,” she says. “It was my favorite season so I’m looking forward to Saturday.”
While it may be cold – and the team may be coming off a loss – Griz fans will definitely be there cheering them on Saturday.