Montana

‘No quit’: Montana, dealing with emotions of semifinal loss, goes back to drawing board

Published

2 months ago

December 22, 2025

‘No quit’: Montana, dealing with emotions of semifinal loss, goes back to drawing board

MISSOULA — It was an emotional scene at Bobcat Stadium for the Montana Grizzlies at the conclusion of Saturday’s playoff game as Montana finishes the season 13-2. Those two losses came against the same program as the Grizzlies got on the doorstep of the national championship game, but fell just short.

“I’m just extremely grateful,” UM wide receiver Michael Wortham said after the Grizzlies’ 48-23 semifinal loss to rival Montana State. “Sucks that it’s the last game, but thankful for these guys and the opportunity they gave me. There was never no quit, you know? We battled through a lot of things behind closed doors.

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‘No quit’: Montana, dealing with emotions of semifinal loss, goes back to drawing board

“This team is amazing. I just hope we’re remembered for how hard we worked and how hard we came out there each and every day to play against whoever.”

The Bobcats were too much to overcome for the Griz on Saturday as they beat them twice this season.

Photos: Montana State beats Montana in historic playoff meeting

The rivalry’s heightened importance in the regular and now postseason has risen because of where both programs stand in both the Big Sky Conference and FCS landscape.

“(Montana State has) done a really good job,” UM head coach Bobby Hauck said. “And the bar was set in this conference by us, and there’s been a desperate urgency at this place to catch up, and certainly they have.

“I talk to Leon (Costello), talk to Brent (Vigen), and everybody’s looking at the two of us. And we have good football programs. We have good players. We have good coaches. It’s highly competitive, whether it’s recruiting or on the field.”

That competition culminated into the largest meeting ever between the two.

“Competition’s good. That’s why you do this,” Hauck said. “And it’s highly and wildly competitive. And my impression, the wrong team won today, but that’s 50% of the state, not the other 50.”

Emotions surrounding these programs colliding are always high, and in sports one team has to lose.

This time it was Montana, as their season concludes one game short of where they’d like.

“It’s been the best time of my life,” UM safety TJ Rausch said. “I love these guys. I love my coaches. I’ve had more fun this year than I’ve ever had playing football. And I can’t thank our coaches and my teammates enough for that.”

“I’m proud of our team. I’m proud of my guys. We have quality, class, young men in our program,” Hauck added. “They play football the right way. Our coaches coach them the right way. And I’m as proud to be a head football coach as I’ve ever been today.”

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Montana

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

4 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

16 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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