The University of Montana football team ended the 2013 season ranked 8th in both major national polls.

Montana Sports Information announced on Monday, January 6, that the Grizzlies, 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the Big Sky Conference, ended the season ranked 8th in both the Sports Network and FCS coaches polls.

Head coach Mick Delaney gave all the credit to the players and coaches for the way the team turned things around this past season, from a 5-6 record in 2012, to finishing 10-3 in 2013.

"It's a real tribute to both our players and our coaches to be able to put together a 10-3 season and keep plugging along," Delaney said. "Coming down the stretch, every single one of them was a playoff game, because had we lost any more than what we did, we would have been home watching the playoffs instead of receiving a first-round bye."

Delaney reflected on the goals achieved after 2012's 5-6 season.

"We achieved a lot of our goals, we beat the Bobcats, which is always important, of course, and we went into the playoffs, as well. When you look at what these seniors accomplished over the last two years, I see a group of players and coaches that I'm just very proud of."

Montana Head Coach Mick Delaney

Delaney has agreed to coach the Grizzlies for another season, which will start on the road at the University of Wyoming.

The Big Sky ended up with five teams which were ranked in the top 25 in both final polls; EWU; the Griz; Northern Arizona (9-3) at 15th; Montana State (7-5) at 20th; and Southern Utah (8-5), at 21st and 24th.

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