The participants of the Championship Game were the finalists of the 2001 I-AA Playoffs, which began with a 16-team bracket. In a change from recent postseasons, the NCAA seeded only the top four seeds, while placing other teams in the bracket based on geographical considerations in order to minimize travel.[5]
Montana Grizzlies
Montana finished their regular season with an 11–1 record (7–0 in conference); their only loss was to Hawaii of Division I-A. Seeded first in the playoffs, the Grizzlies defeated Northwestern State, Sam Houston State, and Northern Iowa to reach the final. This was the fourth appearance for Montana in a Division I-AA championship game, having won in 1995, and having lost in 1996 and 2000.
Furman Paladins
Furman finished their regular season with a 9–2 record (7–1 in conference); one of their losses was to Wyoming of Division I-A. The Paladins, seeded third, defeated Western Kentucky, Lehigh, and second-seed Georgia Southern to reach the final. This was the third appearance for Furman in a Division I-AA championship game, having won in 1988 and having lost in 1985.
[2][6] † When there is no time left on the clock at the end of the fourth quarter, NCAA rules only allow for a conversion attempt if it could affect the outcome of the game.
^ ab"#23 - Montana Wins the 2001 National Championship—Big Sky 50 Greatest Moments". Big Sky Conference. Retrieved February 5, 2019 – via YouTube.
^ abc"Grizzlies 13, Furman 6 (box score)". Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Montana. December 22, 2001. p. 4S. Retrieved February 5, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
^"In The Spotlight". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 21, 2001. p. B-5. Retrieved February 5, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
^"I-AA Championship: Montana 13, Furman 6". upi.com. UPI. December 21, 2001. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
^Kasper, Jon (November 12, 2001). "NCAA changes format for playoff pairings". Missoulian. Missoula, Montana. p. D1. Retrieved February 2, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
^Geise, George (December 22, 2001). "Defense: Frustrates Furman". Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Montana. p. 5S. Retrieved February 5, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
Further reading
"Grizzlies Win Second National Title". gogriz.com. December 21, 2001. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
"Division I-AA Poll". Arizona Daily Sun. Flagstaff, Arizona: The Sports Network. AP. November 27, 2001. p. B3. Retrieved February 5, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
External links
#23 - Montana Wins the 2001 National Championship | Big Sky 50 Greatest Moments via YouTube