Kickoff: 12:00 PM MT (2:00 PM ET)
Venue: Washington–Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Montana (Capacity: ~26,400)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Montana Television Network
Weather Forecast (Missoula, MT)
Temperature: ~74°F (23°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light winds (5–7 mph)
Impact: Perfect fall football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Indiana State (Missouri Valley Football Conference):
QB Elyjah Owens – Healthy, 317 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT through 3 games.
RB Petey Lawrence – Healthy, 154 rushing yards, 3 TDs.
WR Rontrez Rochelle – Healthy, 111 yards, 1 TD.
Montana (Big Sky Conference):
QB Clifton McDowell / Kris Ah Yat – Rotation possible; Ah Yat has 250 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.
RB Eli Gillman – Healthy, 198 yards, 3 TDs.
WR Junior Bergen / Micah Wortham – Wortham leads with 120 yards, 1 TD.
Key Player Matchups
QB Elyjah Owens (Indiana State) vs. Montana Secondary
Owens has shown poise but faces a Griz defense that thrives on pressure and turnovers.
RB Eli Gillman (Montana) vs. Indiana State Front Seven
Gillman is coming off a 198-yard, 3-TD performance; ISU must contain him to avoid being overrun.
WR Rontrez Rochelle (Indiana State) vs. Montana Corners
Rochelle is Owens’ top target; Montana’s physical corners will look to disrupt timing.
QB Kris Ah Yat (Montana) vs. Indiana State Pass Rush
Ah Yat has been inconsistent; if ISU can generate pressure, turnovers are possible.
Recent Team Form
Indiana State Sycamores (2–1, MVFC)
8/28: W 41–24 vs. McKendree
9/6: W 38–14 vs. Eastern Illinois
9/12: L 73–0 @ Indiana (FBS)
Trend: Offense productive vs. FCS foes, but exposed badly vs. FBS competition.
Montana Grizzlies (2–0, Big Sky)
9/6: W 42–17 vs. Central Washington
9/13: W 24–23 vs. North Dakota (#16 FCS)
Trend: Montana looks like a Top 5 FCS contender, with a balanced attack and strong home-field advantage.
Series History
First-ever meeting between Indiana State and Montana.
Adds intrigue as a rare cross-conference clash.
Betting Trends
Indiana State:
1–4 SU in last 5 games.
3–2 ATS in last 5.
Overs hit in 3 of last 5.
Montana:
3–2 SU in last 5 games.
1–4 ATS in last 5.
Unders hit in 3 of last 5.
MVFC vs. Big Sky: MVFC teams cover ~55% of the time in September non-conference games.
Historical Betting Results
Indiana State: Struggles ATS against ranked FCS opponents; overs more common when defense collapses.
Montana: Strong SU at home (9 straight home wins), but inconsistent ATS as a heavy favorite.
Playoff Implications: Montana often uses September non-conference games to solidify playoff seeding.
Game Odds
Indiana State Sycamores 56.5
Montana Grizzlies – 27.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
