George Ferguson Column: My apologies to Dalton and Jeff, I can admit when I get it wrong

Tonight is a big, big night for both the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats.

It's big because, in a rare occasion, both the No. 5 Cats (10-3) and No. 6 Griz (10-3) are playing in the FCS quarterfinals.

Yes, in the same season, the Cats and Griz are both in the final eight of the playoffs.

And while MSU's night game with Austin Peay has a trip to the semifinals on the line in Bozeman, and the Griz' rematch with Weber State under the lights in Ogden is a game with massive implications for both programs, for now, I'm done talking about either one.

Instead, given that either team's season could come to an end tonight, though I hope it doesn't, because it could, I have to make sure I get in two very public apologies.

First, to MSU head coach Jeff Choate. I'm sorry buddy. I doubted your bravado and your brashness four years ago. I doubted some of the things you promised MSU fans when you got to Bozeman.

Now, don't misunderstand me, I thought you were a really good hire for MSU. And, I know you're a very good football coach. But I was skeptical because, early in your career, some of the hash tags, statements in pressers and so on, well, let's be honest, they weren't quite matching up with MSU's play on the field.

So, you just must forgive me for not being a believer - and I swear it wasn't because of where I went to college. Instead, I doubted you for the same reason all coaches are doubted or judged in your business - it was based on results, nothing more.

Now though, look at where the Bobcats are. They are on the verge of playing for a spot in the national championship game - they have a night game at home in December in the playoffs. For those of you who are Bobcat fans and who think tonight is too cold, and don't go to the game, you're missing out. I've been to more than a few of these in Missoula, and they're a blast.

And, for those of you who will be in Bozeman tonight, you will have a blast, and you owe Jeff Choate a big thank you for that. He's delivered MSU a very, very good football team, and perhaps more importantly, a sustainable program, so again, you owe him a thank you, and I owe him an apology, because even two years ago, and even though you were dominating the Griz right away, I just didn't see it.

On the other side of the divide, I owe Dalton Sneed, the dynamic Grizzly quarterback an apology, too.

Look, when Dalton signed with Montana out of junior college, I wasn't exactly inspired. After all, Dalton had been at a pretty bad UNLV program, where at one point, he was asked to switch positions, and to be honest, thats all I knew about him. I really had nothing else to go on, and hence, I was skeptical that he was coming to help return Montana to dominance.

To say the least, I wasn't sold, and I wasn't sold even after Bobby Hauck told Montana Grizzly fans in Havre back in the spring of 2018 that, quarterback was the least of his worries going into his first year back at helm of the Griz.

Well, looking back now, I was an idiot for doubting Bobby, and Dalton for that matter. Instead, I should have known Bobby knew what he was doing when he brought Sneed to Missoula.

And it only took about two quarters of the first game in 2018 for me to realize just how special Sneed was.

To sum it quickly, Dalton Sneed has been, over the least two seasons, one of the most dynamic, not to mention exciting quarterbacks to put on a Grizzly uniform in a long, long time.

In other words, Dalton Sneed is really, really good, he's electric, and, I've been told, he's an even better person, teammate and leader than he is a quarterback, and, as a fan of the Grizzlies, I'm damn glad I was wrong.

I'm glad I was wrong because, Sneed has been a blast to watch, and the Grizzlies aren't playing Weber State for a spot in the semifinals on national TV tonight if Dalton Sneed isn't their quarterback.

So, here it is Dalton, my apology for ever doubting you. You are the man, you have been a great Grizzly and, oh by the way, the rest of the Big Sky and FCS owes you an apology too, because you should have been a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, and you sure as hell should have been voted more than Honorable Mention All-Conference.

Never the less, you got my vote, and I know, we know, you're one of the best in the FCS.

Now, with my conscience a little more clear, and the apologies out of the way, MSU fans, you can watch tonight's game at Bobcat Stadium on ESPN+, while Griz fans can watch tonight's showdown with Weber State on nationally ESPN2. Both games kick off at 8 p.m, and, whether it's the end of line for one, or both teams, or if it's not, take the advice of a wise, good friend of mine, advice he gave me - enjoy tonight fans, cause nights like this, no matter how fun, they don't come around every year.