MISSOULA — Montana redshirt junior wide receiver Ian Finch has spent his entire life in Missoula.
Before donning the maroon and silver, he broke out on the Hellgate football team, earning all-state honors in 2020 and 2021. Then, as a Griz, Finch made a name for himself in 2024 when he caught his first career pass against Northern Colorado, a reception that also became his first career touchdown.
Now, entering year four as a Griz, Finch is a member of a wide receiver room that saw 10 different Grizzlies receive targets in Montana's season-opening win over Central Washington.
Finch sat down with 406 MT Sports prior to Montana's game against North Dakota at 1 p.m. Saturday in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
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Montana wide receiver Ian Finch (5) looks on during the college football game between Montana and Central Washington at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula on Saturday. The Hellgate grad is a junior in his fourth year with the Grizzlies. BEN ALLAN SMITH,Missoulian
Q: What have been the biggest changes for you from year one to year four at Montana?
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A: I think the biggest difference is, they call it like 'paralysis by analysis.' I think in my first two years, at least, I was so worried about if I was gonna mess up or do something wrong. Now, in my fourth year, I know how to do it and I can just go out there and play as fast as I want to.
Q: How is this year's Griz wide receiver room different than the ones you've been a part of in the past?
A: I mean, the rooms in the past were awesome. Each year, you grow and you stick with the guys, and you learn more about each other, you become super close. I think this year, even with the added guys that we've got, I think we're just super close and we're all really, really good friends with each other. Outside of football, we hang out with each other. I think we all want the best for each other.
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Hellgate’s Ian Finch (11) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in this file photo of a high school football game between Missoula Hellgate and Missoula Big Sky at Missoula County Stadium, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. BEN ALLAN SMITH Missoulian
Q: You were named an all-state wideout at Hellgate, and your brother, Jacob, still played for the Knights as recently as last year. Have you kept up with your alma mater down the street?
A: Every summer I try to at least get out there for a couple weeks and lift with them, see how the program is doing. I stay in touch with a lot of the kids still, even though some of the kids, I mean every kid on that team now, I never played in high school with. But I mean, especially through my brother (Jacob), he's super good friends with Vinny Paffhausen and Parker Link, so I'm really close with them. And I got the opportunity to lift with them this summer, talk to coach (Quinn) Chamberlain, see how he was going to do things. I think it's awesome.
Q: Do you have any favorite memories from your time as a Knight?
A: I think my favorite memory was probably just going out there. I think Hellgate is such an awesome community in the fact that everyone in the stands is your friend. We weren't the biggest football team, but you know, we never quit.
Q: As a local, what's your favorite restaurant in Missoula?
A: I'm a big sushi fan. I haven't been to the newly opened Sushi Hana, but I would say Sushi Hana.
Q: Have you been to Saketome?
A: See, my thing is, I don't like fruit sushi, and Saketome always does that. So if I go to Sakatome, I scrape that part off.
Q: What do you usually do in your free time?
A: On the weekends in the summer, I'm at the lake with my friends. I go up to my cabin, just outdoor recreational stuff.
Q: What's your favorite lake in Montana?
A: Flathead, for sure.
Q: If you had to live in another town in Montana, which would it be?
A: Butte, definitely Butte. My whole family's from there.
Q: You recently finished up a degree in business management from UM and are starting to pursue a master's degree. Has the shift freed up your schedule at all?
A: It definitely loosens up my schedule. It definitely allows for more time to watch film and study. I'm in five classes, but just three classes at a time this semester, and they're all online. So it's awesome to do that.
Q: What's your favorite Griz game you attended before you joined the team?
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Montana wide receiver Ian Finch (5) takes the field during the college football game between Montana and Central Washington at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula on Saturday. The Hellgate grad caught his first career touchdown last year. BEN ALLAN SMITH,Missoulian
A: I would say that 2021 game against the Cats at home before I got here. The recruits aren't allowed to stay on the sidelines, but I stayed on the sidelines and they didn't notice. It's funny, they do their hype video after the game of us, you know, beating the crap out of them, and I'm in the background. Why am I making this? I'm not even supposed to be on the field.
Q: Favorite Griz player you remember watching as you grew up?
A: Probably Mark Mariani. He was just super exciting to watch. And then, what would you say, cousin-in-law, is that a thing? Yeah? So, yeah, my cousin is married to Dylan Cook, and so I've known him like my whole life. When he got the opportunity to come play here, that was awesome.
Q: Running out of the tunnel before a Griz home opener, does that extra juice ever go away?
A: Oh, it's 100% there. It never goes away. You know, every guy that comes in, they're like, 'I've seen videos. It looks crazy.' I'm like, 'Dude, I'm telling you, it's the best atmosphere ever for any football game ever.'
Carson Cashion is a sports writer for 406 MT Sports. Follow him on X @CarsonCashion or contact him at carson.cashion@406mtsports.com.
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