Venue & Kickoff
Location: Washington–Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Montana
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM MT / 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ / MTN / KPAX (Montana markets)
Capacity: 25,217
Weather Forecast (Missoula, MT – Kickoff)
Conditions: Clear skies, mild evening
Temperature: ~74°F at kickoff, dropping into the mid‑60s by the 4th quarter
Wind: Light WNW at 3–5 mph
Precipitation: 0%
Impact: None — ideal conditions for both teams
Injury Report
Central Washington
No major injuries reported after Week 1 win over Colorado Mesa (41–14)
Montana
No significant injuries reported entering opener; 29 new transfers debut
Team Records & Recent Form
CWU: QB Kennedy McGill threw for 2 TD and ran for another in Rodeo Bowl win; defense allowed just 14 points.
Montana: Coming off 9–5 season, FCS quarterfinal appearance; QB Clifton McDowell returns after 2,300+ total yds in 2024.
Key Player Matchups
QB Kennedy McGill (CWU) vs. Montana Pass Rush
McGill: Dual-threat; Griz averaged 3.0 sacks/game in 2024.
WR Jalen Grable (CWU) vs. CB Corbin Walker (UM)
Grable: 51‑yd TD in opener; Walker: Veteran cover corner.
RB Xavier Smith (CWU) vs. LB Levi Janacaro (UM)
Smith: Physical runner; Janacaro: All-Big Sky linebacker.
QB Clifton McDowell (UM) vs. CWU Secondary
McDowell: 17 total TD in 2024; CWU allowed 216 pass yds in opener.
RB Eli Gillman (UM) vs. CWU Front Seven
Gillman: 1,200+ rush yds in 2024; CWU allowed just 123 rush yds in Week 1.
Series History
All-Time: Montana leads 3–0
First Meeting: 2008 — Montana 38–35
Last Meeting: 2021 — Montana 59–3
Largest Margin: Montana +56 (2021)
Closest Game: Montana +3 (2008)
Betting Trends
Montana: 9–4 SU in 2024; 2–11 ATS; UNDER in 3 of last 5
CWU: No ATS data vs. FCS in 2024; 4–1 SU in last 5 overall
Montana 3–0 SU vs. CWU all-time; covered in 2 of those wins
Game Outlook
Montana opens its 126th season with eight home games on the slate — the first FCS team to do so — and will look to extend its nine-game home opener win streak. Central Washington, ranked No. 18 in D-II, brings momentum from a dominant Week 1 win but faces a massive jump in competition. Expect the Griz to control the trenches, lean on Gillman’s ground game, and unleash a deep receiving corps, while CWU will try to hit explosive plays and win special teams to keep it competitive early.
Game Odds
Central Washington Wildcats 58.5
Montana Grizzlies – 36.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
