Messages

It's the quality and ability of the 2 lines, not the weight. I think the Griz d-line is very talented, and very deep at tackle in particular.

I can't imagine the Valpo o-line will be able to handle UM's front 4 and front 7, but who knows. Looks like Valpo has some skill players, on both sides of the ball. Griz have starting safety and linebacker out. Otherwise, seem to be fairly healthy. It should be a nice hard fought game. Good luck to Valpo. Hope their team and fans enjoy the experience. I bet they do.

Smoke is better in Missoula today. AQI is 87, Moderate. Let's hope it continues at that relatively low rate.

Regarding Polson area, my aunt and uncle founded the Ranch supper/night club on the river in Polson in 1948 and owned/ran it for decades. I am on my deck at Finley Pt right now. My uncle was just back and recuperating from the war then.

The smoke has been bad in Missoula for the past 5 or so days, after a brief reprieve. The smoke conditions were worse at the time of the NDSU game. The chances of the game getting impacted are almost zero. I suppose individual players or coaches with respiratory issues may have to be careful. The smoke is unpleasant, and the views of the beautiful surrounding area are impacted. The beer remains cold. All will be fine, or even good.

From Egriz.com:



Smoke is bad in Missoula today and getting worse. The count was 165 at noon, and has been trending up since 9am (and before). At 150, high school games are cancelled or relocated, according to the school website. The university doesn't adhere to those rules.

The peak has been around 2/3 the past 3 days.

Polson is not correct. UM always draws well for the first home game, which is usually the first game of the season, no matter who the opponent is. Don't recall any regular season attendance even close to 15,000 since the stadium was expanded in 2003. Playoff games over Thanksgiving weekend, when students are gone, are sometimes below 20,000 by a few thousand.

This game will draw very well. Griz fans are excited for this season and this team. Weather will be good. Smoke is okay now, so fingers crossed.

Here are the opening home game stats from 2015 going back to the stadium expansion in 2003. Note there was a later stadium expansion too. Opening game is almost always a sell out. So are the other games. Think official capacity is only about 25,500, but it can get to about 26,500, depending on extra seating and extra tickets being sold in the boxes.

North Dakota St -Date: Aug 29, 2015 • Site: Missoula, Mont.  •  Attendance: 26472

Central Washington - Date: Sep 06, 2014 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 24697

Appalachian St - Date: Aug 31, 2013 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 26293

South Dakota - Date: Sep 01, 2012 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 25126

Cal - Poly - Date: Sep 10, 2011 (2d weekend) • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 25855

Western State - Date: Sep 04, 2010 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 25663 

Western State - Date: Sep 05, 2009 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 25698 

Southern Utah - Date: Sep 13, 2008 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 25056 

2008 - Stadium size expanded

Southern Utah - Date: Sep 01, 2007 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 23599 

South Dakota St -Date: Sep 09, 2006 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 23438

Fort Lewis - Date: Sep 03, 2005 • Site: Missoula, MT  •  Attendance: 23432 

Maine (0-1) - Date: Sep 04, 2004 • Site: Missoula, MT  • Attendance: 23228

North Dakota State - Date: Sept. 6 2003 (2d weekend) • Site: Missoula MT  •   Attendance: 23102 

2003 - Stadium size expanded

Some info.

Fires are burning, but smoke subsided about 4 days ago. Keeping fingers crossed. The closest fire is Lolo Peak fire. Google it.

Weather should be nice and warm, 80's or higher.

Press Box bar/restaurant is the closest hot spot, just north of stadium over the river. Big gathering spot before and after game. Food.

Other bars. Mo Club (great burgers, including on game morning), Stocks (Stockmans), and Red's. All downtown. Most people will be very friendly in the bars.

Very good breakfast places downtown, especially if you're traveling with women, are Catalyst and the Shack. Speaking of women, there is a great farmer's market downtown on Sat. morning, just north of the river under Higgins avenue/bridge.

Missoula has a lot of good restaurants.

If you have your Valpo gear on, every Griz tailgate will welcome you, be friendly and give you drink (and food if they have it). Just walk up and say hi. The tailgating is very good for a school/program of this size.

The stadium gets fairly empty at halftime, when people go back out to the tailgates. Some don't return until well into the third quarter.

You will love the stadium atmosphere. The seating starts about 8 yards from the sideline, and first row is high enough to look over heads of players. You will enjoy Missoula. Griz fans and townspeople go out of their way to make visitors feel very welcome.

UM fans will be excited to see the Griz play. UM collapsed at the end of last season, going 1-4 and losing 2 games to not so great teams--after starting season 5-1 with a great win at Northern Iowa. New qb. Transfer from Kentucky who grew up in Chattanooga. Lots of younger talent and fairly good athleticism and size.

Good luck to your team. They will never forget the experience. Your guys may draw a few boos coming onto the field (may also get some cheers), but if your guys avoid taunting the crowd, the crowd will generally respect your team, and some will likely give them a few cheers as they exit after the game.

Regarding how loud Griz stadium is, see below. Couldn't post the link. Lots of other quotes in the article too. Google "Montana football stadium noise".


"In an interview Tony Romo, according to FCS Football Fans Facebook, said After a victory over the Seahawks in Seattle when he was asked if he had ever experienced more noise in a stadium. His response was "Missoula Montana is way louder".  "Todd Harris & Charles Arbuckle, ESPN announcers said it's the loudest too."