Montana Western takes on Carroll College in Helena

HELENA, Mont. — With the season winding down, Montana Western football has a chance to put themselves on the precipice of earning a share of the Frontier Conference title.

The No. 13 Bulldogs (7-1 overall 5-1 in conference) will be in Helena on Saturday to face off with No. 12 Carroll College (7-1, 5-1).

The winner will find themselves tied at the top of the Frontier standings with No. 7 College of Idaho (8-1, 6-1) with just one week remaining in the regular season.

Montana Western is on a six game winning streak, and their offense features quarterback Michael Palandri, who has thrown 19 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions this season, along with three rushing scores.

Freshman standout Eli Nourse leads the Frontier this season with 909 yards receiving to go along with 10 touchdowns.

Their defense has allowed 21 points per game, sacking the opponent 19 times this season and recording four interceptions.

Carroll College’s offense is led by quarterback Jack Prka, who has thrown for eight touchdowns this year and two interceptions.

Chris Akulschin is their leading receiver, with 43 catches for 608 yards and a touchdown. Their defense is stout, allowing just 17 points per game and with 19 total sacks and six interceptions.

College of Idaho is off this week and will conclude their regular season next Saturday at Southern Oregon (4-4, 3-3). Carroll hosts No. 22 Montana Tech (5-3, 3-2) that weekend, while Western will host Eastern Oregon (2-6, 2-4).

Montana Tech also remains in the title picture, but they will need to win out and hope College of Idaho and Montana Western lose one of their remaining games in order to clinch a share of the conference crown.