Originally Published: December 27, 2006

Montana: No. 49 football state

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MONTANA'S NATIONAL RANK
No. 50 pro | No. 42 college | No. 46 high school
Montana

NFL
No. 50 Montana

<<< No. 49 Idaho · No. 51 Alaska>>>

While Montana is far from the center of the football universe, the state knows enough to convert Norwegian Jan Stenerud into one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. He was attending Montana State on a skiing scholarship when he was spotted kicking field goals and invited to play football. In 19 seasons as a pro, he hit 373 field goals and 580 PATs with the Chiefs (three field goals in their Super Bowl IV win), Packers and Vikings. Griz running back Justin Green is currently playing for the Ravens.
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COLLEGE
No. 42 Montana

<<< 41 Connecticut · No. 43 Delaware>>>

Division I-AA Montana and Montana State meet in the "Brawl of the Wild" rivalry. Quarterback and Missoula native "Wild Bill" Kelly provided the spark for the 1924-26 Montana teams. Low-key Hall of Fame coach Bernie Bierman began his career with the Grizzlies. Bobcats quarterback Dennis Erickson is now better known as a successful and well-traveled coach.
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John Risken
Montana fan John Risken: The University of Montana Grizzlies have been to the I-AA playoffs for 14 straight years, a record. During that time, UM has played in the national championship game five times (1995, 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2004), winning the title in 1995 and 2001. Read more from John

HIGH SCHOOL
No. 46 Montana

<<< No. 45 Delaware · No. 47 Alaska>>>

The vast expanse of Montana has more than 900,000 residents, but they enjoy watching football. The Treasure State has two current NFL players. Spring 2006 D-I signees: zero. Fall 2006 high school football teams: 149.
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POLL QUESTION

1) Montana's greatest accomplishment?

The Grizzlies have won eight consecutive Big Sky Conference titles
The Grizzlies won the Division I-AA national championship in 1995 and 2001
The Bobcats won the Division I-AA national championships in 1965, 1976 and 1984

Hashing out the best football state

football, baby
ESPN.com has teed up the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Now the football is in your hands. Pull on your gameday jersey, tape up those writing fingers and hit back with your opinion. We'll print the best fan signal callers on our pages. Submit your opinion

States' overall football rank
1. Texas | Conversation
2. California | Conversation
3. Florida | Conversation
4. Pennsylvania | Conversation
5. Ohio | Conversation
6. Georgia | Conversation
7. Michigan | Conversation
8. Louisiana | Conversation
9. New Jersey | Conversation
10. Wisconsin | Conversation
11. Illinois | Conversation
12. Alabama | Conversation
13. Virginia | Conversation
14. North Carolina | Conversation
15. Missouri | Conversation
16. New York | Conversation
17. Maryland | Conversation
18. Tennessee | Conversation
19. Oklahoma | Conversation
20. Indiana | Conversation
21. Nebraska | Conversation
22. Colorado | Conversation
23. Washington | Conversation
24. Minnesota | Conversation
25. Mississippi | Conversation
26. Iowa | Conversation
27. Massachusetts | Conversation
28. Arizona | Conversation
29. Arkansas | Conversation
30. District of Columbia | Conversation
31. West Virginia | Conversation
32. South Carolina | Conversation
33. Oregon | Conversation
34. Nevada | Conversation
35.Hawaii | Conversation
36. Kentucky | Conversation
37. Utah | Conversation
38. Kansas | Conversation
39. Connecticut | Conversation
40. Idaho | Conversation
41. New Mexico | Conversation
42. New Hampshire | Conversation
43. Rhode Island | Conversation
44. Wyoming | Conversation
45. Delaware | Conversation
46. North Dakota | Conversation
47. South Dakota | Conversation
48. Maine | Conversation
49. Montana | Conversation
50. Vermont | Conversation
51. Alaska | Conversation

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