WEEK 6 RECAP IN THE BIG SKY

Eastern Washington 35, Portland State 27 (Cheney, WA)

The Dam Cup was on the line Saturday in Cheney, one of the Big Sky’s protected rivalry series. Eastern Washington jumped out early with 3 long rushing touchdowns and held a 21–17 lead at halftime over Portland State. Despite PSU outgaining EWU 469–461 in total yards and dominating possession, big plays, including redshirt freshman RB Kevin Allen III’s 50-yard run, kept EWU ahead. The Eagles held off a late Vikings rally to secure a 35–27 win, powered by 333 rushing yards and efficient red-zone execution. Portland State relied heavily on sophomore QB John-Keawe Sagapolutele, who threw for 302 yards and a touchdown, with junior WR Terence Loville leading all receivers at 114 yards and a score. Sophomore RB Delon Thompson added 2 short rushing touchdowns, though PSU averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. The Eags dominated on the ground, led by redshirt sophomore QB Nate Bell’s 175 rushing yards and Allen III’s 2 touchdowns, combining for 333 total rushing yards and 4 scores. Junior LB Henry Amposta led the Vikings with 8 total tackles, while sophomore DB Isaiah Green and sophomore CB Dionte Thornton each added key stops to anchor the defense. Junior DL Spencer Elliott made the biggest impact up front with 2 sacks for 13 yards and a forced fumble, helping PSU pressure the Eastern offense. Redshirt junior S Drew Carter led EWU’s defense with 12 tackles, while redshirt junior LB Myles Mayovsky and grad LB Read Sunn each added 11 stops to keep pressure on Portland State throughout the game. Sunn and redshirt freshman DB Ambrose Marsh also contributed tackles for loss and pass breakups, helping the Eagles contain PSU’s offensive drives. Next week, Portland State will head into a much-needed bye before returning to face Weber State at home in Hillsboro on October 18th. Eastern Washington will also take their bye this weekend, gearing up to face rival #11 Idaho in Cheney the following Saturday.

#5 Montana State 34, #15 Northern Arizona 10 (Flagstaff, AZ)

In their first road trip since their week 1 bout with FBS Oregon, the Bobcats went all the way up to 7,000 feet to take on a stiff Lumberjack defense in Flagstaff. Montana State overcame an early Northern Arizona touchdown to dominate the rest of the game, scoring 34 unanswered points before allowing a late field goal to seal a 34–10 victory. The Bobcats were explosive on offense, highlighted by a 90-yard punt return from junior WR Taco Dowler, a 79-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman WR Jabez Woods, and strong rushing from senior RB Julius Davis and junior QB Justin Lamson. Despite being outgained in time of possession, MSU’s efficiency—averaging 8 yards per play and totaling 417 yards, proved too much for NAU’s 296-yard effort. Montana State’s offense was balanced and efficient, with quarterback Lamson throwing for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns while also adding a rushing score. The Bobcats ran for 196 yards, led by Davis’s 73 yards and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 6.1 yards per carry. Northern Arizona struggled to move the ball, as junior QB Ty Pennington completed 28 of 47 passes for 210 yards with one interception and their run game managed only 86 yards on 31 attempts. Montana State’s defense was dominant, led by junior DB Caden Dowler and sophomore LB Bryce Grebe who each tallied 11 total tackles, while senior DE Kenneth Eiden IV and junior DE Zac Crews contributed key tackles for loss and a combined 1.5 sacks. The Bobcats also created turnovers and pressure, highlighted by sophomore DB Bryant Meredith’s interception return for 27 yards and multiple quarterback hurries from senior DE Hunter Parsons, senior DT Alec Eckert, and Eiden. Northern Arizona’s defense was led by redshirt senior LB Travis Arena with 8 total tackles and redshirt sophomore DB Canyon Moses with 7, while senior DL Carlos Rivera notched the team’s lone sack for an 11-yard loss. Despite several players contributing pass breakups and quarterback pressures, the unit struggled to contain Montana State. MSU will be back at home again this weekend, facing a feisty Idaho State squad that gave #3 Montana a run for their money in Pocatello last weekend. Meanwhile, NAU will be on the road, facing a reeling #14 UC Davis team who will be without All-American senior LB Rex Connors after his injury in the game against Weber State a couple of weeks ago.

#3 Montana 42, Idaho State 38 (Pocatello, ID)

The Griz hit the road for the very first time this season, heading down to face a wily Idaho State squad that has been a bit inconsistent in recent weeks, but still has potential. Montana overcame a 10-point deficit to edge Idaho State 42–38 in a back-and-forth offensive battle that featured over 1,000 combined yards. Redshirt senior WR Michael Wortham led the Grizzlies with two rushing touchdowns and even a trick play passing score, while redshirt junior RB Eli Gillman continued his impressive play by adding 2 more TDs to fuel the comeback. Despite Idaho State’s redshirt junior QB Jordan Cooke throwing for 421 yards and 2 touchdowns, Montana’s balanced offense and perfect red-zone efficiency secured the narrow win. Montana’s offense generated 399 passing yards and 118 rushing yards, led by redshirt sophomore QB Keali’i Ah Yat with 350 passing yards and Michael Wortham contributing 2 rushing touchdowns. Gillman and Wortham both added key scores through the air and on the ground, while the Grizzlies spread the ball among multiple receivers. Idaho State gained 421 passing yards and 76 rushing yards, with Cooke throwing for 2 touchdowns and redshirt junior RB Dason Brooks and redshirt freshman RB Carson Sudbury adding 3 rushing scores. Montana’s defense was led by redshirt senior S TJ Rausch with 11 total tackles, while several players including redshirt senior LB Elijawah Tolbert, redshirt sophomore DL Jake Mason, and sophomore S Diezel Wilkinson contributed tackles for loss and pass breakups. The unit also forced 1 interception and recorded multiple quarterback hurries, showing a team effort across the defensive lineup. Idaho State’s defense was led by freshman CB TreShawn Shorty with 8 total tackles and contributions from freshman LB Ryder Holt and senior DL Cam’ron Willis, who each recorded sacks and tackles for loss. Several players, including redshirt freshman S Rylan Leathers and redshirt sophomore DL Collin Lewis, added interceptions and pass breakups, showing a well-rounded defensive effort across the team. UM will be home once again next week, welcoming Cal Poly to Missoula. Meanwhile, the Bengals will face another tough opponent, this time on the road in Bozeman to face #5 Montana State.

#14 UC Davis 34, Cal Poly 27 (San Luis Obispo, CA)

Davis would be without All-American LB Rex Connors for the first time this season, competing for the Golden Horseshoe against in-state foe Cal Poly. The game was a back-and-forth contest with the Aggies ultimately defeating Cal Poly 34-27. UC Davis outgained the Mustangs 449 to 342 yards, with 136 rushing yards and 313 passing yards, while Cal Poly had 71 rushing yards and 271 passing yards. There were touchdown passes galore from both teams, but the Aggies pulled ahead in the 4th quarter with 2 decisive rushing touchdowns to secure the win. UC Davis freshman QB Caden Pinnick passed for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns while also rushing for 60 yards and a score. The Mustang’s passing was spread across 3 key players, combining for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns of their own, but their rushing attack only produced 71 net yards with no scores. Key contributors for UC Davis included junior WR Zach Jones with 2 receiving touchdowns and senior WR Samuel Gbatu Jr. with one, helping the Aggies control the offensive production and maintain consistent pressure. Davis’s defense was led by senior DB Jayden Stanley and sophomore LB Jackson Sievers, who each recorded 11 total tackles, while a handful of tackles for loss and a sack came from Sievers, grad LB Nate Rutchena, and freshman DL Jaden Few. Several defenders, including grad DB Khalani Riddick and junior DB Marquis Bell, also contributed by breaking up passes, helping the team limit big plays and create disruptions in the passing game. Cal Poly’s defense was anchored by redshirt junior LB Kenny Olson with 13 total tackles and junior LB Mikey D’Amato adding 9 tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss. Several players, including redshirt sophomore DL Victory Johnson and redshirt junior S Mason Rivera, contributed with pass breakups and quarterback pressures. The Aggies will host #15 Northern Arizona this weekend for their homecoming game in Davis, while Cal Poly will hit the road to face #3 Montana at Wash-Griz Stadium in Missoula.

#11 Idaho (BYE)

After a week off, the Vandals will be back in action at the Kibbie Dome this weekend, facing Northern Colorado.

Northern Colorado (BYE)

The Bears will return from their bye week to hit the road for Moscow this weekend, facing the Vandals in the Kibbie Dome.

Sacramento State (BYE)

The Hornets will return to action on Saturday after a tough loss to Cal Poly before their bye. This week, they’ll face Weber State in Ogden.

Weber State (BYE)

The Wildcats will look to bounce back after a crushing loss to UC Davis a week ago, hosting Sacramento State for homecoming in Ogden, this weekend.