Big Sky Football Week 0 Recap: What We Learned

Idaho State 31, UNLV 38 (Las Vegas, NV) The Bengals gave UNLV all they wanted on Saturday afternoon, falling just short when the clock hit zeros. ISU redshirt junior QB Jordan Cooke had a day, throwing for 380 yards and a touchdown. But his three interceptions ultimately cost Idaho State in crunch time.

Redshirt senior RB Dason Brooks opened his season strong, rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Idaho State impressed up front, led by Davidson-transfer senior DL Cam’ron Willis with two tackles for loss (10 total yards), including a solo sack. The Bengals’ defensive line finished with seven TFLs for 37 yards lost and three sacks for a combined loss of 31 yards against a UNLV team picked second in the Mountain West preseason poll.

Idaho State will travel to Cedar City, UT next weekend to face Southern Utah.

#7 Tarleton State 42, Portland State 0 (Hillsboro, OR) Barney Ball got off to a rough start, with Portland State allowing Tarleton State to score 42 unanswered in their season opener. The Vikings split quarterback duties between sophomore Gabe Dowling, sophomore John-Keawe Sagpolutele, and freshman Tyrese Smith. Together they managed just 169 passing yards and three interceptions.

On the ground, sophomore RB Delon Thompson led the team with 55 rushing yards, while Smith added 50 of his own. Defensively, the Vikings struggled, recording just four TFLs for six yards and no sacks. Senior K Mathias Uribe also had a difficult day, missing two field goals from 54 and 37 yards.

Portland State will head to Provo, UT next weekend to face FBS opponent BYU.

#9 Mercer vs. #14 UC Davis (Montgomery, AL) This year’s FCS Kickoff at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery ended with a “No Contest” ruling from the NCAA after an extended lightning delay late in the 4th quarter. Prior to play being stopped, Mercer was staging a comeback after trailing 21–3 at halftime.

UC Davis managed just two points in the second half while Mercer was driving for a potential go-ahead touchdown with 7:46 remaining when lightning struck. After a 90-minute delay, the game was declared “No Contest” and all stats from the day were vacated.

UC Davis will travel to Saint George, UT next weekend to face Utah Tech in Week 1.