Aug. 19—Cats and Bison, Griz and Jacks.
ESPN Events on Monday announced a pair of future Vegas Kickoff Classic games at Allegiant Stadium that match up the top FCS programs from the Big Sky Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Montana State will take on North Dakota State in 2027, and Montana will face South Dakota State in 2029. Both games will be played during Labor Day weekend at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with the game dates, times and networks to be announced at a later time.
“We’re thrilled to have Montana, Montana State and Big Sky football showcased on ESPN as part of the Vegas Kickoff Classic,” commissioner Tom Wistrcill said in a release from the conference. “Labor Day Weekend is one of college football’s great traditions, and these games will demonstrate that the FCS can deliver marquee matchups in world-class destinations like Las Vegas, while creating a one-of-a-kind experience for our fans.”
Last year saw the largest crowd in Allegiant Stadium history (63,969) treated to USC’s 27-20 win over LSU in the second Vegas Kickoff Classic. The FCS editions of the Vegas Kickoff Classic should draw well, with the four fan bases ranking in the Top 5 for attendance last season.
Montana and Montana State ranked first and second in FCS attendance last year, while North Dakota State and South Dakota State ranked fourth and fifth. The four teams have figured in the last two NCAA Division I Championships: North Dakota State defeated MSU 35-32 in January; South Dakota State topped the Grizzlies 23-3 for the 2023 title.
“This is another great opportunity to increase exposure for the University of Montana and provide outstanding experiences for our student-athletes,” UM athletic director Kent Haslam said in a release. “Participating in this showcase event is one more example of how Grizzly football is a national brand, and we are excited and honored to be part of a great lineup of football programs competing in Las Vegas in the coming years.”
The 2027 Classic will include what’s billed as “The Battle of the U” between the University of Utah and University of Miami. This year’s Classic is set for Oct. 25, between HBCU programs Grambling State and Jackson State.
“Labor Day, Las Vegas, College Football — it’s the perfect trifecta to celebrate the start of the season,” said ESPN Vice President of Events Clint Overby.
Montana is 8-2 all-time against SDSU, with two memorable comeback wins at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Jackrabbits won the last two meetings, including a xx-xx verdict in last season’s FCS playoffs.
Montana State is 21-18 against NDSU, but the 18-time national champion Bison have won the last seven battles. The Bobcats lost to NDSU in the 2021 title game as well.
The 2025 college football season officially kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 23, with three Big Sky teams in action for Week 0.
