BILLINGS, Mont.- A new era of Rocky Football begins on Thursday evening, as the Battlin' Bears travel to Glendive to take on the University of Mary. 

Matchup

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Rocky Mountain College (0-0) vs University of Mary (0-0)
Glendive, Montana
6:30 pm (MT) 

Preview

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Start of a New Era
The Battlin' Bears begin the 2026 season on Thursday against the University of Mary in Glendive, Montana. The game marks the beginning of the Randy Bandelow-led Battlin' Bear Football team, which features almost an entirely new coaching staff and nearly 70 new faces on the roster. 

Renewing a Rivalry
Thursday's kickoff revives a storied regional matchup dating back to Mary's NAIA era prior to its 2006 transition to NCAA Division II. Rocky and Mary have squared off 14 times since 1988—most notably in the second round of the 1999 NAIA Football Playoffs, where the Marauders edged out a 7-3 victory in Bismarck. Mary holds an 11-3 advantage in the all-time series, making this neutral-site showdown their first meeting since 2005.

Connections
Despite the two programs not playing each other in over 20 years, the Battlin' Bears and Marauders share some connections heading into Thursday's contest. Head Coach Randy Bandelow and Offensive Coordinator Nick Voorhees both spent time as Graduate Assistants in Bismarck nearly a decade ago. Four coaches from the U-Mary staff grew up in or played collegiately in the 406, including Head Coach Shann Schillinger. 

Scouting the Marauders 
The Marauders enter 2026 pursuing their first winning campaign since 2013 after finishing 4-7 last fall under Coach Schillinger. U-Mary was picked 11th overall in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll and 6th in the North Division.

Mary relies on veteran fifth-year quarterback Ryan Blair, who threw for nearly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Billings Central product Xavier Brackenridge anchors the ground game after leading the Marauders with 488 rushing yards in 2025, while top target Karsyn Jablonski returns after racking up 706 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last year.

Linebacker Christopher Federico (leading tackler) and safety Abram Jopp (interception leader) return to lead the defense, though Mary must replace heavy production after losing its top sack artist and leading tackles-for-loss contributors to graduation. 

Jablonski and Federico were both announced as 2026 NSIC Players to watch for the Marauders.