(Editor's note: University of Montana athletics release)
MISSOULA -- The Montana Grizzlies have completed the 2022 football schedule with the addition of the Northwestern State Demons, who will visit Missoula for a one-off game on Sept. 3 to open the season.
Located in Natchitoches, La., Northwestern State is a longtime member of the Southland Conference, with four conference championships to its name.
Montana holds a 3-0 all-time record against the Demons, who visited Missoula in the first round of the Division I-AA/FCS playoffs in 2001, 2002 and 2004 seasons.
In 2001, the Grizzlies overcame a 13-0 halftime deficit to win 28-19 on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Ciche Pitcher en-route to the program's second national championship later that season.
The Griz and Demons faced each other again a year later, with Montana running out to a 45-14 home win that featured a pick-six from Herbert Fernandez and a 68-yard punt return for a score from Jefferson Heidelberger.
Montana last faced Northwestern State in 2004 during Bobby Hauck's first tenure as the Grizzlies' head coach. The Griz jumped all over the Demons, building a 42-0 lead in the third quarter before sealing the 56-7 win, thanks in part to 171 yards rushing from Lex Hilliard.
The addition of Northwestern State completes Montana's 2022 schedule, giving the Grizzlies six guaranteed home games on the 11-game slate.
UM will open the season with a pair of home games against Northwestern State and South Dakota before traveling to Indiana State to complete the out-of-conference schedule.
The Griz then open Big Sky play in Moscow, Idaho, on Sept. 24 before entering the bye week. Montana then caps the season with Eastern Washington at home, Cal Poly and Weber State on the road, Northern Colorado and UC Davis at home, away at Sacramento State, and the annual Brawl of the Wild against Montana State at home on Nov. 19.
Montana is 12-3 all-time against teams from the Southland Conference, most recently defeating Southeastern Louisiana in the second round of the 2019 FCS Playoffs, 73-28.
The Demons are coached by former NSU quarterback Brad Laird, now in his second season at his alma mater after taking over in 2018. His offense set a slew of school records en-route to a 5-6 overall record that year.
Northwestern State finished the 2019 season eighth in the Southland Conference standings with a 3-9 record (3-6 conference), with wins over Incarnate Word, Lamar and Sam Houston State.
Montana has now completed its 2021 and 2022 schedules and has one open date remaining on the 2023 schedule, with three out-of-conference games set for 2024 and 2025.
Future Grizzly Football Schedules
2021 Football Schedule
Sept. 4 @ Washington
Sept. 11 Western Illinois
Sept. 18 Bye
Sept. 25 Dixie State
Oct. 2 Northern Arizona
Oct. 9 @ Idaho State
Oct. 16 Weber State
Oct. 23 @ UC Davis
Oct. 30 @ Southern Utah
Nov. 6 Portland State
Nov. 13 Idaho
Nov. 20 @ Montana State
2022 Football Schedule
Sept. 3 Northwestern State
Sept. 10 South Dakota
Sept. 17 @ Indiana State
Sept. 24 @ Idaho
Oct. 1 Bye
Oct. 8 Eastern Washington
Oct. 15 @ Cal Poly
Oct. 22 @ Weber State
Oct. 29 Northern Colorado
Nov. 5 UC Davis
Nov. 12 @ Sacramento State
Nov. 19 Montana State
2023 Football Schedule
Sept. 2 Butler
Sept. 9 @ Dixie State
Sept. 16 Open
Sept. 23 @ Portland State
Sept. 30 Open
Oct. 7 Idaho
Oct. 14 @ Northern Colorado
Oct. 21 Idaho State
Oct. 28 Southern Utah
Nov. 4 @ Northern Arizona
Nov. 11 Sacramento State
Nov. 18 @ Montana State
2024 Football Schedule
Aug. 31 Missouri State
Sept. 7 @ North Dakota
Sept. 14 Western Carolina
2025 Football Schedule
Aug. 30 @ Western Carolina
Sept. 6 Open
Sept. 13 North Dakota
Sept. 20 Indiana State
2026 Football Schedule
Sept. 5 Dixie State
2027 Football Schedule
Sept. 18 Dixie State
