Football August 18, 2025 Claire Gay

Bulldog Football Tops West Division in 2025 Frontier Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Western Football earned the top spot in the 2025 Frontier Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll—West Division, the league announced Monday.

The Bulldogs received five first-place votes and totaled 35 points in the poll. Southern Oregon (one first-place vote, 30 points) and College of Idaho (26 points) finished second and third in the West, respectively. In the East Division, Montana Tech was tabbed first with four first-place votes and 34 points while Dickinson State (three first-place votes, 33 points) and Rocky Mountain (25 points) earned second and third.

"It's humbling to be picked by our peers at the top of a really good league and knowing you have the respect of your opponents," UMW Head Coach Ryan Nourse said. "However, the preseason picks are normally a recap of the previous season and not a great representation of what a team is or isn't at this point, so we will keep working really hard on getting the 2025 Bulldogs ready for an awesome season opener against Montana Tech. "

Montana Western enters the season as back-to-back regular-season champion. The team will look to continue its success in the new-look Frontier conference in '25.

The Bulldogs brought back some key players from its 2024 title-winning squad, including quarterback Michael Palandri, who threw for nearly 3,700 yards and 34 touchdowns last season. Also returning on the offensive end of the ball are wide receiver Eli Nourse (1,205 yards, 12 touchdowns) and running back Jake Humphrey (948 yards, 12 touchdowns).

Defensively, linebackers Jace Fitzgerald (81 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks) and Keegen Muffich (98 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks) are both back for more. Additionally, defensive lineman Tyler Walker (45 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, 6.0 sacks) also returns to strengthen the Bulldog defense.

LOOKING AHEAD
Montana Western opens the season at rival Montana Tech Aug. 28. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. MT.

2025 Frontier Conference Football Coaches' Preseason Poll

Rank	School (First Place Votes)	Total Points
	East Division
1	Montana Tech (4)	34
2	Dickinson State (3)	33
3	Rocky Mountain	25
4	Dakota State	21
5	Mayville State	14
6	Valley City State	13
7	MSU-Northern	7
	West Division
1	Montana Western (5)	35
2	Southern Oregon (1)	30
3	College of Idaho	26
4	Carroll (1)	23
5	Eastern Oregon	16
6	Arizona Christian	11
7	Simpson	6

For complete coverage of UMW Football, be sure to follow us on social media at @umwbulldogfootball (Instagram), @UMWFootball (X), and @UMW Bulldog Football (Facebook) or visit our official website at UMWBulldogs.com.

#GOBULLDOGS!

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Players Mentioned

#7 Eli Nourse: WR; 5' 10"; Junior

#10 Michael Palandri: QB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior

#98 Tyler Walker: DL; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior

#18 Jace Fitzgerald: LB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#5 Keegen Muffich: LB; 5' 11"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#7 Eli Nourse
: 5' 10"; Junior
: WR

#10 Michael Palandri
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior
: QB

#98 Tyler Walker
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior
: DL

#18 Jace Fitzgerald
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: LB

#5 Keegen Muffich
: 5' 11"; Senior
: LB