2006 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Griz Nation came out in force in 2006,
giving UM the highest attendance in the
Division I Football Championship Subdivision
for the second consecutive year. More than
200,000 Griz fans showed up over nine home
games at an average of 22,600 fans per game.

The University of Montana Grizzlies continued their success in 2006, advancing to the playoffs for a record 14th consecutive year and posting their 21st consecutive winning season in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA).

The Grizzlies finished the season 12-2, reeling off 12 consecutive wins to capture their ninth straight Big Sky Conference title after a season-opening loss to the Division I powerhouse Iowa Hawkeyes. More than 70,000 fans watched the match at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium, the most to ever see the Griz in action.

Rallying around senior transfer quarterback Josh Swogger, the Griz had a balanced offensive attack despite losing star running back Lex Hilliard to an injury before the season started. The defense was anchored by senior All-American Mike Murphy and was the key to many of the season’s victories, including a hard-fought 13-7 win over rival Montana State to end the regular season.

The year ended with a semifinal playoff loss to the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at a rare night game in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. EPSN2, which nationally televised the match, had portable stadium lights trucked in from California to illuminate the field. It was only the second time a night game has been played at the stadium in its 20-year history.

“It was a special season,” says UM Director of Athletics Jim O’Day. “Our coaches and student-athletes did a marvelous job getting ready to play each weekend. It was truly a remarkable effort by everyone associated with Grizzly Athletics.”

The Griz also performed well in the classroom, compiling a team cumulative-grade-point-average of 2.90.

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