Griz to open 2006 football season at Iowa
1/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Montana Grizzlies will open their 2006 football season at Big-10 powerhouse University of Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 2, University of Montana Athletic Director Jim O'Day announced today. This is a change from the original schedule, which was released by UM Athletics in November.
"We are constantly working on our football schedule to assure the most success for our program," O'Day said. "It's a continual 12-month process. While understanding that Griz fans request upcoming schedules as early as possible, sometimes decisions are made after the fact that are deemed worthwhile to the university.
"Iowa gave us an offer that we couldn't refuse," O'Day said. "It will allow us to meet a number of critical needs in our department, as well as within the Grizzly football program. It will also give us reassurance that our deficit situation from two years ago will be paid off at least two years early."
O'Day did not release details of the contract but said it was substantially higher than the guarantee received last year from the University of Oregon.
The decision to play Iowa for an undisclosed sum was supported by head football coach Bobby Hauck.
"This is a great opportunity to play against one of the best football programs in the country and to test ourselves against a team from the Big-10 Conference," said Hauck, who is currently on a recruiting trip. "Iowa is one of five teams in the country that has played on New Year's day the past four seasons, and they are also the winningest team, along with Ohio State and Michigan, in the Big-10 Conference during the same period.
"Obviously, we will have our work cut out for us," Hauck continued. "With that being said, we are excited about having the chance to play in one of the greatest venues in all of college football."
Last year, Iowa finished the season with a 7-5 record that included a 31-24 loss to the Florida Gators in the Outback Bowl. Iowa is one of only four schools in the country that has played a New Year's Day bowl game each of the past four years.
In week three of the 2005 season, the Hawkeyes defeated Division I-AA foe Northern Iowa, 45-21. Northern Iowa then went on to claim runner-up honors in the I-AA championship game, losing to Appalachian State by the score of 21-16.
The Montana-Iowa game will be played on Labor Day weekend in the recently-renovated Kinnick Stadium (70,000 capacity) in Iowa City. The $86.8 million expansion is scheduled to be finished in August.
Game time and television coverage will be announced at a later date. ABC/ESPN
owns television rights to all Big 10 games ?C similar to the agreement the network has with the Pac 10 (i.e., University of Oregon). Iowa has had its last 52 games televised.
To make way for the Iowa game, UM Athletics has canceled its Sept. 16 home contest against Division II Central Washington.
"We are constantly working on our football schedule to assure the most success for our program," O'Day said. "It's a continual 12-month process. While understanding that Griz fans request upcoming schedules as early as possible, sometimes decisions are made after the fact that are deemed worthwhile to the university.
"Iowa gave us an offer that we couldn't refuse," O'Day said. "It will allow us to meet a number of critical needs in our department, as well as within the Grizzly football program. It will also give us reassurance that our deficit situation from two years ago will be paid off at least two years early."
O'Day did not release details of the contract but said it was substantially higher than the guarantee received last year from the University of Oregon.
The decision to play Iowa for an undisclosed sum was supported by head football coach Bobby Hauck.
"This is a great opportunity to play against one of the best football programs in the country and to test ourselves against a team from the Big-10 Conference," said Hauck, who is currently on a recruiting trip. "Iowa is one of five teams in the country that has played on New Year's day the past four seasons, and they are also the winningest team, along with Ohio State and Michigan, in the Big-10 Conference during the same period.
"Obviously, we will have our work cut out for us," Hauck continued. "With that being said, we are excited about having the chance to play in one of the greatest venues in all of college football."
Last year, Iowa finished the season with a 7-5 record that included a 31-24 loss to the Florida Gators in the Outback Bowl. Iowa is one of only four schools in the country that has played a New Year's Day bowl game each of the past four years.
In week three of the 2005 season, the Hawkeyes defeated Division I-AA foe Northern Iowa, 45-21. Northern Iowa then went on to claim runner-up honors in the I-AA championship game, losing to Appalachian State by the score of 21-16.
The Montana-Iowa game will be played on Labor Day weekend in the recently-renovated Kinnick Stadium (70,000 capacity) in Iowa City. The $86.8 million expansion is scheduled to be finished in August.
Game time and television coverage will be announced at a later date. ABC/ESPN
owns television rights to all Big 10 games ?C similar to the agreement the network has with the Pac 10 (i.e., University of Oregon). Iowa has had its last 52 games televised.
To make way for the Iowa game, UM Athletics has canceled its Sept. 16 home contest against Division II Central Washington.
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