Baucus, Tester challenge Penn. Senators to friendly football wager

Senators Bet the University of Montana Grizzlies will Defeat Villanova

(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today challenged Pennsylvania Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey Jr. to a friendly wager on the University of Montana championship football game in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Grizzlies will play the Villanova Wildcats for the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision national title game this Friday, December 18.

Baucus and Tester are betting Montana elk and bison jerky against Specter and Casey’s Philadelphia soft pretzels that the University of Montana will be bringing home the championship title to big sky country. 

Led by 2009 Big Sky Conference football coach of the year Bobby Hauck, the Grizzlies are fighting for the championship after an impressive undefeated season.  This year’s post-season action featured the Griz scoring 40 unanswered points against South Dakota State to pull off Montana’s biggest comeback in playoff history.  With more than 119 victories since the 2000 season, the Grizzlies are finishing the decade with the most wins in the FBS or FCS I.

“The Montana Grizzlies are the best football team in the FCS,” Baucus said. “I have no doubt that I will be joining my fellow Montanans in celebrating their victory and enjoying some nice Philly soft pretzels, at Senator Specter’s and Senator Casey’s expense.”

“Everyone lucky enough to witness the Griz victory last week over Appalachian State knows that this team is a force to be reckoned with,” Tester said. “I am confident that our Montana boys will play another unforgettable game in Tennessee and we are proud of their impressive season.”

Senators Specter and Casey are supporting Villanova as the Philadelphia-area team makes their first FCS championship game appearance.  The Univ. of Montana vs. Villanova game will be broadcast on ESPN2.  The game begins at 6 p.m. MST.