This Day In Griz History: Griz Football Scores All-Time Upset

Last week started the college football season. Montana took on future FBS opponent Missouri State. The Bears are playing their final season at the FCS ranks before moving up to Conference USA, so it's close to an FBS win but not quite.

Coincidentally, today marks the third anniversary of the 2021 Montana Grizzlies' monumental upset of the #20 Washington Huskies. It's not often that Montana plays an FBS team. Since 2015, Montana has played just three FBS teams - @ Washington in 2021, @ Oregon in 2019 and @ Washington in 2017. The lone win came on September 4, 2021 in Seattle at Husky Stadium.

Montana defeated Washington 13-7 in front of 61,036 fans. The Griz rode the backs of the defense that afternoon after falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter. After that the Griz put together three scoring drives to steal one from the Dawgs.

Montana-Washington Scoring Drives

• WASHINGTON: 1-yd Touchdown run by quarterback Dylan Morris (7-0 UW)
• MONTANA: 26-yd Field Goal by Kevin Macias (7-3 UW)
• MONTANA: 4-yd Touchdown run by Cam Humphrey (10-7 UM)
• MONTANA: 22-yd Field Goal by Kevin Macias (13-7 UM)

"Offensively, hometown QB Cam Humphrey orchestrated two second-half scoring drives highlighted by a diving four-yard rushing touchdown of his own, after strurgging in the first half." - GoGriz.com recap

It marked the first time since 1996 that Montana knocked off a PAC-12 (RIP) team since 1996.

READ MORE: Griz Athletics Projects: New Locker Room, Equipment Center and More

Defensive star and former #37 Marcus Welnel had a terrific day on defense collecting 12 tackles, a sack and a "game-winning" interception. It's really enjoyable to read the recap and re-live it through pictures, but I had to acquire a first-hand experience.

"I will never forget that night in Seattle for a couple of different reasons," said Voice of the Griz Riley Corcoran. "It was a full return to Grizzly football. It was even more of a buildup after not playing the 2020 season and because of that, everyone in the program was so locked in on Washington and one common goal because it was the only thing to look forward to for so long."

If you recall, the previous season was canceled due to COVID-19. If you don't recall, good on you for putting that terrible, terrible time out of memory.

"Secondly, once the game started, you could tell right away the Griz weren't overmatched. With each series, confidence grew and after talking with Bobby [Hauck] at halftime, everyone went from hoping to believing the Griz could win."

And win they did. The Griz went on to finish 10-3 with some big time wins that year. Montana knocked around Idaho to win the Little Brown Stein, shut down #3 Montana State 29-10 at home and avenged an early season loss by defeating Eastern Washington 57-41 in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs. Montana's season ended in the quarterfinal in Harrisonburg, Virginia against James Madison.

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