No. 8 Bulldogs Draw First Round Bye, Will Host Second Round FCS Game

UMW Sports Press Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the pairings of the 2023 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) this evening. The Montana Western football team (9-1, 7-1 Frontier), ranked no. 8 in the nation in the final week of the regular season, was selected for a first-round bye and will host an FCS second round matchup.

This is the first home NAIA playoff berth since the 1994 season and the fifth playoff berth in school history.

The Bulldogs finished the regular season 9-1 (7-1 Frontier) and have won eight-straight games heading into the FCS. A top-5 ranked offense (465.5 yards per game, 3rd), led by Michael Palandri who is eighth in the nation in passing (273.1 yards per game) and Eli Nourse who is the nation's leading receiver (114.2 yards per game).

On defense, the Bulldogs have allowed just 19.4 points per game on average and allowed the fewest rushing yards in the conference (76.3 yards per game).

More information for the Second-Round game to be announced in the coming week, stay tuned to umwbulldogs.com and @umw_bulldogs on social media for the most up to date information including ticket information, live coverage and the game preview.