Cat-Griz football game scheduled for March 27 in Missoula

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A Cat-Griz football game in March? That's the plan.

The Big Sky Conference announced a six-game spring football schedule with games running from Feb. 27 to April 10 with bye weeks on March 20 and April 17 to accommodate any make-up games needed due to COVID-19.

The early-season games will be played in warmer states or inside stadiums. Montana opens at Northern Arizona and then plays at Eastern Washington. Montana State's first two games are at UC Davis and Weber State.

The Montana-Montana State football game is set for March 27 in Missoula.

'œAnnouncing the schedule is one more step toward football in the spring, and I am excited our student-athletes will have the opportunity to compete,'ť Montana director of athletics Kent Haslam said in a statement.

Montana's first home game is on March 13 against Cal Poly while Montana State's home opener will be April 3 against Eastern Washington.

'œWe're excited about the opportunity to play football," said Montana State coach Jeff Choate. "We've never backed away from competition and we look forward to playing a tough schedule in the spring.'ť

The 24-team FCS playoffs will begin on April 24 and conclude with the national championship game in Frisco, Texas on May 15.