Griz slotted No. 9 in HERO Sports Preseason Poll

The Montana Grizzlies came in at No. 9 in this year's HERO Sports FCS preseason top-25, the online news outlet announced Thursday.

In the second FCS preseason poll of the summer, Montana was once again one of five teams from the Big Sky Conference to earn a place in the top-25, with three of UM's 2021 opponents making the list.

Weber State and Montana State were tied just ahead of the Grizzlies at No. 7 in the HERO Sports poll, with Eastern Washington slotted at No. 16 and Sacramento State at No. 23 to round out the Big Sky's selections.

Montana enters the 2021 fall season after an impressive spring that saw the Grizzlies dominate Central Washington and conference foe Portland State by a combined score of 107-10.

Sam Houston, which won the spring FCS Championship, was picked by HERO to repeat at the No. 1 spot, while semifinalist James Madison, finalist South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and Southern Illinois round out the top five.

In the Grizzlies' last complete season, Montana finished the 2019 year ranked No. 6 in the nation after putting together a 10-4 record and returning to the FCS quarterfinals for the first time in a decade.

The HERO Sports preseason poll was compiled by FCS analyst Sam Herder and contributing FCS writer Daniel Steenkamer.

Montana was ranked No. 11 first FCS preseason poll to come out this summer, with Athlon Sports releasing its list in mid-June.

The Grizzlies open their 2021 campaign in Seattle against the University of Washington on Sept. 4, followed by the home opener in Missoula against Western Illinois on Sept. 11.

Single-game tickets go on sale to Quarterback Club and Grizzly Scholarship Association members on July 12, with existing season ticket holders able purchase more single-game tickets on July 14. General public single-game tickets will be available for purchase a week later on July 19. New season ticket packages are available for purchase now at GrizTix.Com.

HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top-25
1. Sam Houston
2. James Madison
3. South Dakota State
4. North Dakota State
5. Southern Illinois
6. Delaware
T7. Weber State
T7. Montana State
9. Montana
10. North Dakota
11. Central Arkansas
12. Monmouth
T13. Southeastern Louisiana
T13. VMI
15. Jacksonville State
16. Eastern Washington
17. Villanova
18. Austin Peay
19. North Carolina A&T
20. Chattanooga
21. Alcorn State
22. Murray State
T23. East Tennessee State
T23. Sacramento State
25. Missouri State

Received Votes (alphabetical order)
Alabama A&M, Florida A&M, Kennesaw State, Nicholls, Rhode Island

University of Montana Athletics

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