News Summary
The Big Sky Conference football season is kicking off with significant matchups, notably Sacramento State facing South Dakota State. Montana State is eager to begin its season against Oregon, while other games feature Eastern Washington, UC Davis, and Idaho. The introduction of The Spot – MTN on Charter Communications will enhance football coverage, with several exciting broadcasts scheduled. Additionally, the anticipated rivalry game between Montana and Montana State is on the horizon. The conference also celebrates athletic achievements, as Lauren Lindseth of Montana State is named Defensive Player of the Week.
Missoula, Montana – The Big Sky Conference football season is heating up as teams from Montana gear up for key matchups this weekend that could have significant implications for the playoffs. This week, the spotlight shines on Sacramento State, which will face South Dakota State in a game that is expected to influence postseason standings.
With several Big Sky teams set to take the field, Montana State is particularly eager to begin its season without former quarterback Tommy Mellott. Their first game will be against Oregon, a crucial matchup as they start a new chapter in their football program. This weekend also features several other games, including:
- Montana State vs. Oregon
- Sacramento State vs. South Dakota State
- Eastern Washington vs. Incarnate Word
- UC Davis vs. Utah Tech
- Idaho State vs. Southern Utah
- Idaho vs. Washington State
These games will not only kick off the football season for the Big Sky Conference teams but also showcase the economic impact of Montana football on local communities. Football matches bring fans to stadiums and engender local commerce during the season, benefiting businesses and creating jobs.
The Spot – MTN has recently launched on Charter Communications’ Spectrum, introducing additional programming options for Montana viewers. This new platform will broadcast a total of 13 Big Sky Conference football games alongside six non-conference games this season, featuring both the University of Montana and Montana State. Game coverage is scheduled to commence on September 6, with two significant matchups: Montana State hosting South Dakota State and Montana facing Central Washington, both kicking off at 6 p.m.
The network will carry the MSU-SDSU game on local CBS affiliates statewide, while viewers in Missoula will find the Griz game on KPAX and the MSU-SDSU game on The Spot – MTN.
As the season progresses, excitement is building for the highly anticipated rivalry game between Montana and Montana State, scheduled for November 22. Last year’s Cat-Griz contest attracted approximately 130,000 viewers on various Scripps stations, generating significant interest and showcasing the rivalry’s popularity.
In conjunction with football broadcasts, Scripps Sports has renewed its partnership with the Big Sky Conference for an additional five years, ensuring continued coverage through at least the 2029-30 academic year. Viewers can also look forward to specialized commentary with the establishment of two broadcast teams for Big Sky college football:
- Montana State: Ben Creighton (play-by-play), Ty Gregorak (analyst), Grace Lawrence (sideline reporter)
- Montana Grizzlies: Trey Bender (play-by-play), Jordan Tripp (analyst), Kyle Hansen (sideline reporter)
The Spot – MTN is set to expand its offerings with weekly shows such as Grizzly Insider and Bobcat Insider, both premiering every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Furthermore, the network will provide coverage for NHL fans, featuring the Vegas Golden Knights and the Utah Mammoth when the hockey season commences.
In addition to the intense football excitement, Montana State’s senior libero, Lauren Lindseth, has garnered recognition as the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Her remarkable performance leading the Bobcats with 5.82 digs per set across three matches highlights the growing athletic prowess within the conference for the upcoming season.
As the Big Sky Conference unfolds its football schedule, fans will have numerous opportunities to engage with their favorite teams and witness the thrilling developments that come with competitive play at a collegiate level.
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Additional Resources
- Montana Sports: The Spot – MTN Coming to Spectrum
- MSU Bobcats: Lindseth Named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week
- UC Davis Aggies: Rex Connors Named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week
- GoViks: Big Sky Conference Football Game Times Announced
- 406 MT Sports: Football Picks Montana State Bobcats FCS Title Game
- Wikipedia: Big Sky Conference
- Google Search: Montana football
- Google Scholar: Big Sky Conference
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Google News: Big Sky Conference football

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