DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western football team was picked to finish third in the 2026 Frontier Conference West Division Football Coaches’ Preseason Poll, the league office announced Tuesday.[[“value”:”
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Official Athletics Site of the Montana Western Bulldogs
Tessa McNeil
DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western football team was picked to finish third in the 2026 Frontier Conference West Division Football Coaches’ Preseason Poll, the league office announced Tuesday. Defending West Division Champ College of Idaho was elected to repeat with 36 points in the poll (six first place votes. Carroll narrowly edged UMW in the second spot with 30 points while Western picked up 27 (one first place vote). Southern Oregon (20), Eastern Oregon (17), Arizona Christian (11), and Simpson (6), round out spots four-through-seven in the poll.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
The East and West Division winners will both earn an automatic bid to the 2026 NAIA Football Championship Series. 13 automatic bid and seven at-large bids will make up the 20-team field.
2026 Frontier Conference West Division Football Coaches’ Preseason Poll
Rank
Team
Points
First-Place Votes
1.
College of Idaho
36
6
2.
Carroll
30
3.
Montana Western
27
1
4.
Southern Oregon
20
5.
Eastern Oregon
17
6.
Arizona Christian
11
7.
Simpson
6
2025 SEASON LOOKBACK Montana Western finished third in the West Division a 7-3 overall in 2025. The Bulldogs topped the Frontier in points per game (43.1), total offense per game (449.4), passing yards per game (336.0), and tied for first in sacks (31). They also ranked in the top three in touchdowns (57), field goals made (nine), and third down conversions (64). 2026 ROSTER PREVIEW The Bulldogs are returning 34 letter winner from the 2025 squad. Two-time All American and 2025 Frontier West Offensive Player of the YearEli Nourseis back for his senior season. He will don the no. 18 legacy jersey for Western this season. Nourse will pair up with redshirt-juniorSeth Shook, who led the team with 13 receiving touchdowns and earned 2025 First Team All-Conference recognition last season. On the offensive side running back duoJakob Humphrey(Second Team All-Conference andAidan Lammers(FC Honorable Mention), who combined for 780 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025, as well as Second Team All-Conference offensive linemenEthan LarsonandDylan Christmanare also back for the Red and Black. All-American Long-SnapperJacob Westberryand FC First Team All-Conference KickerMaclain Burckleyreturn to the special teams’ unit. On the defensive side, Second Team All-Conference defensive backConnor Dunleais set for his sophomore campaign. LinebackerTyler Schoen(third on team in tackles for loss and sacks), defensive linemanLiam Rowe(19.0 tackles, 2.0 TFLS, 2.0 sacks), and linebackerCanyon Sargent(14.0 tackles, one interception) are all back on the defensive side of the ball as well.
CALLING THE SHOTS
Head Coach Ryan Nourse is back for his 13th season at the helm of Bulldog football. His 71 wins are the most in program history.
Nourse is joined by Defensive Coordinator Riley Martello (fifth season), Co-Offensive Coordinators Jed Heffernan (sixth season) and Tyler Murray (first season), Justin Hurd (third season), Rich Coppin (second season), and Tristin Rodriguez (fourth season).
Martello, Heffernan, and Murray all played under Nourse in their collegiate careers.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs kick off the 2026 slate Sept. 5 at MSU-Northern. First kick is set for 1 p.m. MT.
For complete coverage of UMW Football, be sure to follow us on social media at @umw_football (Instagram), @UMW_Football (X), and @Montana Western Football (Facebook) or visit our official website at UMWBulldogs.com.
#GOBULLDOGS!
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Players Mentioned
#18
Eli Nourse
WR
5′ 10″
Senior
#93
Liam Rowe
DL
6′ 3″
Sophomore
#24
Canyon Sargent
LB
5′ 11″
Redshirt Junior
#9
Seth Shook
WR
5′ 10″
Redshirt Junior
#46
Jacob Westberry
LS
5′ 6″
Redshirt Junior
#6
Maclain Burckley
K/P
6′ 1″
Redshirt Sophomore
#77
Dylan Christman
OL
6′ 5″
Redshirt Junior
#20
Connor Dunlea
DB
6′ 0″
Redshirt Sophomore
#25
Jakob Humphrey
RB
5′ 9″
Redshirt Senior
#37
Aidan Lammers
RB
5′ 11″
Redshirt Sophomore
#67
Ethan Larson
OL
6′ 4″
Redshirt Junior
#45
Tyler Schoen
DL
6′ 0″
Redshirt Junior
Players Mentioned
#18
Eli Nourse
5′ 10″
Senior
WR
#93
Liam Rowe
6′ 3″
Sophomore
DL
#24
Canyon Sargent
5′ 11″
Redshirt Junior
LB
#9
Seth Shook
5′ 10″
Redshirt Junior
WR
#46
Jacob Westberry
5′ 6″
Redshirt Junior
LS
#6
Maclain Burckley
6′ 1″
Redshirt Sophomore
K/P
#77
Dylan Christman
6′ 5″
Redshirt Junior
OL
#20
Connor Dunlea
6′ 0″
Redshirt Sophomore
DB
#25
Jakob Humphrey
5′ 9″
Redshirt Senior
RB
#37
Aidan Lammers
5′ 11″
Redshirt Sophomore
RB
#67
Ethan Larson
6′ 4″
Redshirt Junior
OL
#45
Tyler Schoen
6′ 0″
Redshirt Junior
DL
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