YAHTZEE!

Football season returned to Missoula Saturday afternoon as the Montana Grizzlies started the year defeating the Butler Bulldogs 35-20. With any season opener, we saw some positives, we saw some negatives, but all that matters at the end of the day is the Griz are 1-0.

The first gameday of the season brings an extra splash of energy to the city and campus. We'd been waiting 280 to watch the beloved Griz, so it's safe to say everybody was ready for kickoff.

I have the privilege this year of co-hosting the pregame show and running sidelines for the Griz Radio Network for home games, so I'm in the thick of things on Griz gameday. When there was a chance, I formed a not-so-professional photo gallery from Saturday's festivities.

Montana VS Butler: 9/2/2023

The pregame show kicked off the day with a surprise visit from the mom of Eli Gillman, Dawn Gillman. Dawn took my headset and perhaps my job. She was great and is welcomed back anytime.

Our second special guest was Griz great Sammy Akem. Sammy is the only wide receiver in the history of Montana Football to finish top-5 in all-time receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns. Sammy dropped by the pregame show to talk Griz football and sign some gear for fans. A great receiver, a great broadcaster and a great guy. He's got it all.

I love this bus. The old-school vibes make it feel like Gameday. Who's the owner of this bus? Send me a message because I would love to meet this individual.

Our Nation's finest presenting the colors pregame.

Ah jeez, there goes Monte driving his jeep onto the field again. That guy has no regard for lawn care, does he?

The effervescent student section. There were a lot of students making noise, eating pizza and snagging some sweet Griz bucket hats. They have had a few NSFW chants mixed in, but don't worry gang I won't tell on you.

"Hey number 32, your shoes are untied!" - Griz students, probably.

And we're off! The Griz offense hung 35 points on the Butler Bulldogs Saturday afternoon.

More love to the offense and the big guys up front. Chris Walker (#55), Cannon Panfiloff (#69), Kukila Lincoln (#74) and tight end Evan Shafer (#84) among others.

The main man himself: Head Coach Bobby Hauck surveys the field. I threw a piece of popcorn at his head but he was too zoned in to notice.

Until next time, Washington-Grizzly. The Griz travel to St. George, Utah this Saturday (September 9) to take on the Utah Tech Trailblazers (0-1). Pregame begins at 5 pm, kickoff at 7.