musburgerbrent MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) – Longtime sports broadcaster Brent Musburger, who grew up in Billings, will call the season-opening football game between Montana and four-time defending FCS champion North Dakota State in Missoula.

The FCS battle will be aired on ESPN  CSi Cable 14, starting at 1:30 p.m. MDT – that’s 2:30pm Jamestown time – on Aug.29, and marks the start of the football season as part of the network’s second annual FCS Kickoff.

First-year Montana football coach Bob Stitt said Musburger called him Monday to let him know that he and color commentator Jesse Palmer will call the game.

Musburger has called seven BCS National Championship games, including the last five.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota State football team is preparing for a raucous crowd when the Bison open the season at Montana.

The Bison begin their quest for a fifth straight Football Championship Subdivision title with the FCS kickoff game Saturday in Missoula.  About 27,000 fans are expected for a game that will be shown on national television.

The Bison have several signature road wins over Football Bowl Subdivision teams, including last year at Iowa State.  NDSU coach Chris Klieman (KLY’-min) says the crowd at Washington-Grizzly Stadium will be louder and more intimidating than the fans at Ames, Iowa.

NDSU will counter with standout senior quarterback Carson Wentz, who last year rallied the Bison from a 14-0 deficit against Iowa State in his first game as a starter.