Big Sky Week 7 Recap
- Colby Peterson
- Oct 14
- 6 min read
#4 Montana State 48, Idaho State 14 (Bozeman, MT)
Montana State dominated the Bengals to the tune of 48–14, led by junior QB Justin Lamson, who accounted for 4 passing and 1 rushing touchdown. MSU’s offense piled up 568 total yards, including a staggering 384 on the ground, while holding ISU to just 36 rushing yards and 368 passing yards. The Bobcats controlled possession, amassing a 34-14 lead in the first half before shutting down the Idaho State offense in the second half. Idaho State redshirt junior QB Jordan Cooke threw for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns, with redshirt senior WR Tsion Nunnally and senior WR Michael Shulikov combining for 293 receiving yards and both scores, but the Bengals struggled on the ground. Meanwhile, Lamson was highly efficient, passing for 184 yards and the aforementioned 4 touchdowns while leading a balanced attack on the ground by sophomore RB Adam Jones’ 173 rushing yards. On defense, Bengals redshirt freshman S Rylan Leathers led the defense with 13 tackles, while junior LB Nathan Reynolds, redshirt sophomore DL Beau Jaques, and several others contributed multiple stops, with Jaques and junior LB Jackson Irwin each recording key sacks for Idaho State. On the other side of the ball, junior DB Caden Dowler led Montana State with 7 tackles, while redshirt freshman DB Seth Johnson, sophomore LB Cole Taylor, and sophomore DE Dominic Solano each added key defensive plays, including 1 sack and 3 total tackles for loss. MSU will take their bye next week, preparing to head south to San Luis Obispo to face Cal Poly the following week. ISU will head back to Pocatello and prepare for their homecoming matchup against Northern Arizona.
#3 Montana 28, Cal Poly 9 (Missoula, MT)
The Griz were back at home again this week after last week’s first road game of the season in Pocatello.This time, hosting the Cal Poly Mustangs. Cal Poly ground out a 9–0 lead by halftime with a touchdown pass from redshirt freshman QB Ty Dieffenbach and a late field goal off the foot of redshirt junior K Noah Serna. But, the Montana offense rallied in the 2nd half, sparked by a 21-yard pick six by redshirt senior CB Kenzel Lawler, earning him Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Week. The Griz followed it up with a passing score from redshirt sophomore QB Keali‘i Ah Yat and 2 rushing touchdowns from redshirt junior RB Eli Gillman. Montana dominated possession and total offense, outgaining Cal Poly 434–336 to secure the 28–9 comeback win. Dieffenbach threw for 225 yards and a touchdown, with sophomore TE Alek Marshall and senior WR Logan Booher leading the receiving corps for the Mustangs, while the ground game added 111 rushing yards but failed to score. Ah Yat passed for 257 yards and a touchdown, and Gillman powered the rushing attack with 123 yards to lead the Grizzlies’ 2nd half offensive burst. On defense, junior LB Mikey D’Amato led Cal Poly with 14 tackles, followed by strong performances from redshirt junior LB Kenny Olson, sophomore S Jeremiah Bernard, and redshirt junior S Mason Rivera, each recording double-digit stops in an active defensive showing. Junior LB Peyton Wing led Montana’s defense with 7 tackles, while redshirt senior LB Elijawah Tolbert, grad LB Solomon Tuliaupupu contributed key stops that silenced the Cal Poly offense in the 2nd half, while the Griz secondary nabbed 3 interceptions on the day from redshirt junior DL Hayden Schwartz, sophomore S Diezel Wilkinson, and Lawler. Montana will continue their homestand next weekend, welcoming Sacred Heart in a rare October non-conference showdown. Meanwhile, Cal Poly will head back home, as well, to face Montana State next weekend.
The Aggies welcomed the Northern Arizona secondary to Davis, winning 45–24 behind a strong offensive showing led by redshirt freshman QB Caden Pinnick, who threw for 348 yards and 5 touchdown passes to 4 different receivers, earning him Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week. After a close 1st half, UC Davis pulled away in the 2nd with big plays, including a 59-yard touchdown run by junior RB Jordan Fisher. Despite NAU’s balanced offensive attack and 410 total yards, UC Davis’ passing game through the air ultimately decided the win. Aggies RB Fisher added 104 yards on the ground of his own to lead all rushers. NAU’s junior QB Ty Pennington passed for 245 yards and a touchdown, with redshirt senior WR Isaiah Eastman leading all receivers with 135 yards, but the Lumberjacks couldn’t keep pace with the Aggies’ explosive offense. Brandon Wong led NAU with 9 tackles and 2 sacks, while redshirt freshman LB Ramere Davis added 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Sophomore LB Jackson Sievers led Davis with 9 tackles and 2 tackles for loss, while senior DB Jayden Stanley, grad LB Nate Rutchena, and grad DL Jacob Psyk each added 6 or more tackles, with Psyk contributing 1.5 sacks in a strong defensive performance. The Aggies head into their bye this weekend, before heading to Greeley to face Northern Colorado. Likewise, the Lumberjacks head into their bye week, as well, ahead of another road trip to face Idaho State.
Northern Colorado 49, Idaho 33 (Moscow, ID)
Northern Colorado jumped out early and maintained control throughout the 1st half, building a 35–17 halftime lead behind touchdowns from sophomore RB Mathias Price, junior WR Brayden Munroe, and junior RB Kieryus Boone. Idaho battled back with strong rushing performances from redshirt freshman QB Rocco Koch and redshirt senior RB Nate Thomas but couldn’t overcome UNC’s balanced offense. The Bears totaled 482 yards, forced 2 interceptions, and sealed a 49–33 win with 4 rushing touchdowns. Northern Colorado redshirt junior QB Eric Gibson threw for 350 yards and 2 touchdowns, connecting often with Munroe (151 yards, 1 TD) and junior WR Carver Cheeks (120 yards), plus the 4 rushing scores from a balanced backfield. Idaho’s redshirt sophomore QB Jack Wagner passed for 237 yards and a touchdown, with Koch and Thomas combining for 145 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in the Vandals’ offensive effort. Sophomore S Cam Chapa led UNC’s defense with 10 tackles and an interception, earning him Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Redshirt freshman LB Hudson Voggesser added 8 tackles of his own. Redshirt senior LB Zach Nowatzke, junior DL Dominic Butts, and senior CB LaDavion Osborn totaled 2 sacks and a tackle for loss. Redshirt senior LB Isiah King led Idaho’s defense with 10 tackles, while redshirt junior LB Dylan Layne, junior S Tim Jackson and freshman DB Caleb Ricks each broke up passes. Northern Colorado will be on the road again next weekend, taking on Sac State at Hornet Stadium. Meanwhile, the Vandals will look to rebound with a short trip to Cheney to face rival Eastern Washington.
Sacramento State 55, Weber State 27 (Ogden, UT)
After an hour and a half lightning delay and consistent rain throughout, Sacramento State dominated Weber State 55–27 to spoil the Wildcats’ homecoming game behind the potent rushing attack of junior QB Cardell Williams and senior RB Rodney Hammond Jr. The Hornets amassed a whopping 397 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground while also adding a 99-yard kickoff return to the house. Despite Weber State’s efforts, including 2 touchdowns from redshirt freshman RB Chauncey Sylvester and 301 total yards offensively, the Hornets’ run game was just too much. Sacramento State put up just 63 yards through the air. Weber State managed 157 passing yards and 2 total touchdowns, with junior QB Dijon Jennings connecting with Sylvester for their lone score through the air. Junior ILB Alex Rocha led the Hornet defense with 12 tackles and 3 tackles for loss, while sophomore OLB Fata Puloka added 9 tackles of his own. Senior S Angel King and junior S Trevian Tribble led Weber State’s defense with 9 tackles each, while junior DT Matt Herron and junior CB Montae Pate added 7 apiece. The Hornets will be home next weekend to host Northern Colorado fresh off their big upset of Idaho, while Weber State takes a road trip of their own to see the Vikings of Portland State.
Eastern Washington (BYE)
Eastern Washington took their bye last weekend, gearing up to face rival Idaho in Cheney this Saturday on the red turf.
Portland State (BYE)
The Vikings took a much needed break, preparing to host Weber State in Portland next weekend.
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