[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 214 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1230-E1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR MONTANA COLLEGE FOOTBALL
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HON. RYAN K. ZINKE
of montana
in the house of representatives
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate an
extraordinary moment for not only Montana college football, but for our
entire state.
This Saturday, the Montana State Bobcats and the University of
Montana Grizzlies will face off in the semifinal round of the NCAA
Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs, continuing a rivalry
that has defined Montana sports for more than a century.
These two programs have met on the gridiron 124 times in the ``Brawl
of the Wild'', a rivalry that began on Thanksgiving of 1897 and is
among the oldest and most storied in college football. For decades, the
winner of this annual clash has brought home the coveted Great Divide
Trophy and united Montanans from across the state in spirited
competition and pride.
This weekend's meeting carries even greater significance. For the
first time in history, the Bobcats and the Grizzlies will face each
other in the post season, the 2025 FCS Playoffs, with a berth in the
national championship game on the line.
In the regular season, these teams showed just how closely matched
they are. The teams have each been ranked 2nd and 3rd nationally, with
Montana State narrowly defeating Montana 31-28 in their November
matchup to secure a share of the Big Sky Conference title and home-
field advantage. Since then, both programs have continued their playoff
runs with commanding performances, dominating the field to set up this
historic rematch.
No matter the outcome this weekend, Montanans everywhere will be
proud that our state is represented on one of college football's
biggest stages. That pride is rooted not just in wins and losses, but
in the character of the players and coaches who represent our
communities, many of whom grew up pulling calves, floating rivers, and
playing pee-wee football right here in Montana. Notably, the Montana
teams include a combined 76 Montana high school graduates who are
suited up for the semifinals, showcasing the ability of Treasure State
communities to develop exceptional student-athletes able to compete on
a national stage.
As our state prepares for a weekend filled with camaraderie, friendly
rivalry, and spirited support for our teams, I want to extend my
gratitude to the athletes, coaches, staff, athletes' parents, and fans
who have made this season one to remember. Bravo Zulu on a remarkable
journey thus far. Mr. Speaker, I wish them good luck this weekend. Win
or lose, Montanans will be watching and cheering them on. I include in
the Record the names of the players and coaches for the University of
Montana and Montana State University:
University of Montana
Players
Monte Gillman, Terahiti Wolfe, Drew Deck, Micah Harper,
Brooks Davis, Jeilani Davis, Blake Bohannon, Dane Parker, Ian
Finch, Kyon Loud, Prince Ford, Michael Wortham, Malae Fonoti,
Kash Goicoechea, Keali'i Ah Yat, Kenzel Lawler, Justus
Breston, Jordan Dever, Eli Gillman, TJ Rausch, Cameron
Gurnsey, Elijawah Tolbert, Elijah Brady, Gage Sliter, Brock
Beaner, Lekeldrick Bridges, DeAnte Gentry, Korbin Hendrix,
Jake Jensen, Kade Boyd, Luke Flowers, Cody Schweikert, Drew
Price, Sage Salopek, Stevie Rocker Jr., Rashid Mansour,
Diezel Wilkinson, Brady Beaner, Chase Cook, Hashim Jones,
Tanner Huff, Kade Cutler, Tommy Running Rabbit, Geno Leonard,
Peyton Wing, Taylor Jones, Talen Reynolds,
[[Page E1231]]
Grady Walker, Ty Morrison, Garrett Speer, Clay Oven, Caleb
Moran, Fynn Ridgeway, Colton Lentz, Giovanni Pifferini,
Grayson Pibal, Titus Rohrer, Caleb Otlewski, Jo Silver,
Kellen Detrick, Styles Goodman, Isaac Keim, Sam Merriman,
Spencer Tripp, Cy Stevenson, Bridger Salvevold, Austin
Buehler, Hunter Peck, Jake Mason, Solomon Tuliaupupu, Hayden
Opitz, Dillon Botner, Lincoln Hoefer, Everett Johnson, Kaikoa
Kanakaole, Matt Hilden, Dylan Jemtegaard, Ezra Meyer, Torin
Jeske, Cannon Panfiloff, Colin Amick, Quinlan Hyatt, Cade
Klimczak, Trevor Steinbach, Tate Templeton, Jose Balver-
Mendoza, Patrick Matan, Carter Bowen, Lucas Freitas, Liam
Brown, Jammel Ward, Josh Gale, Evan Shafer, Bridger Smith,
Weston Adams, Jake Olson, Danny Sirmon, Jareb Ramos, Cooper
Buffington, Zekiel Seumalo, Cole Muilenburg, Cole Harpole,
Derek Moreland, Logan Knaevelsrud, Hayden Schwartz, Matai
Mata'afa, Braydon Bailey.
Coaches
Bobby Hauck, Brent Pease, Roger Cooper, Tim Hauck, Rob
Phenicie, Justin Green, Bobby Kennedy, Kim McCloud, Cameron
Norcross, Mike Linehan, Dan Ryan, Jimmy Morimoto, Keaton
Johnson, Will McFarland, Kent Baer, Alex Gubner, Eric Price,
Tanner Sneed, Max Milton, Brayton Boyer.
Montana State University
Players
Takhari Carr, Chris Long, Jhase McMillan, Taki Uluilakepa,
Kory Boyd, Jared White, Jacob Trimble, Caden Dowler, Javonte
King, Bryant Meredith, River Warren, Tayden Gray, Justin
Lamson, Carson Williams, Seth Johnson, Ryan King, Bryce
Grebe, Jabez Woods, Kenneth Eiden IV, Maxwell Hendrick, Ryan
Bowles, Jordan Reed, Jackson Harmon, Chance Wilson, Taco
Dowler, Patrick Duchien, Ife Ohalete, Brendon Ross, Hayden
Gunlock, Grant Vigen, Parker Mady, Tim Thomas II, Tom Carter,
Neil Daily, Kee Christiansen, Marcus Coleman II, Shanko
Kornachuk, Adam Jones, Colter Petre, Nick Seymour, Cale
Breslin, Luke Oxarart, Malachi Claunch, Brock Steel, Colson
Coon, JJ Dolan, Colby Frokjer, Vinnie Souza, Julius Davis,
Mason Dethman, Cole Taylor, Tommy Springman, Zac Crews, Josh
Woodberry, Michael Rubich, Myles Sansted, Brody Johnson, Paul
Brott, Ryan Krahe, Xavier Ahrens, Jake Vigen, Hunter Parsons,
Logan Fredericksen, George Helms, Blaine Downing, Zac Waible,
Zack Black, Dalton Noble, Nicholas Maloff, Zac Nyland, JT
Reed, AJ Tanupo, Samora Ezekiel, Everett Carr, Dominic
Solano, Tommy Nilson, Aiden Kaplan, Dylan Rollins, Burke
Mastel, Vaughn Wirkus, Titan Fleischmann, Nate Thornton,
Jaren Perkins, Braden Zimmer, Cedric Jefferson, Ben Winters,
Jonathan Luhmann, Luvens Valcin, Carter Cocke, Luke Smith,
Kash Embry, Dane Steel, Carter Curnow, Hunter Provience,
Thomas Buchanan, Rylan Schlepp, Rocky Lencioni, Hunter
Sharbono, Seth Brock, Graysen Schneider, Josaiah Asuega,
Major Thornhill, Alec Eckert, Hudson Wiens, Talon Marsh.
Coaches
Brent Vigen, Shawn Howe, Pete Sterbick, Marcus Monaco, Jody
Owens, Nick Jean-Baptiste, Sam Mix, Bryan Shepherd, Matt
Smith, Jordan Walsh, Josh Firm, Trenton Greene, Jake
Dusenbury, Jesse Moser, Sean Chambers, Kiante Goudeau, Derek
Griebel.
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