SATURDAY, OCT. 12 TV TIME (MT)
#24 Northern Arizona at #14 Montana* ESPN+ 2:00 p.m.
Cal Poly at #9 UC Davis* ESPN+ 5:00 p.m.
Northern Colorado at #20 Weber State* ESPN+ 6:00 p.m.
EWU at #18 Sacramento State* ESPN+ 7:00 p.m.
#7 Idaho at #3 Montana State* ESPN2 8:20 p.m.
IDAHO FACES ANOTHER RANKED FOE
Idaho’s game against No. 3 Montana State will mark the fifth-straight game the Vandals have faced a ranked FCS foe. Idaho has won three of its four ranked matchups so far this season, with the three wins over ranked teams being the most by any FCS team this season. Overall, the Vandals have the second toughest schedule this season, according to Massey Ratings. Idaho vs. Ranked Foes in 2024 (3-1) 9/14: vs. #17 UAlbany (W/41-13) 9/21: at #19 Abilene Christian (W/27-24) 9/28: at #14 UC Davis (L/26-28) 10/5: vs. #25 Northern Arizona (W/23-17) 10/12: at #3 Montana State
BOBCATS ON BEST START SINCE 2012
Montana State has opened the year on a 6-0 start, which is the best since 2012. The Bobcats best start all-time came back in 1956, when Montana State opened that season 9-0, before tying the final game of the season to finish 9-0-1.
Big Sky Football Players of the Week (Oct. 7, 2024)
Offensive Player of the Week: Richie Munoz, Weber State (QB, So., West Covina, Calif.)
Richie Munoz had a career game leading Weber State to a 55-48 overtime win at Montana. The sophomore was 19 of 28 passing for 364 yards and six touchdowns, both career highs. He had touchdown throws of 35, 6, 50, 53, and 71 yards in regulation, then had a seven-yard touchdown in the first overtime that gave the Wildcats the go-ahead score. Munoz is one of four players in all of Division I football to throw six touchdown passes in a game this season. It is also the most touchdown passes in a game by a Wildcat since 1993.
Co-Defensive Players of the Week: Garrett Beck, Weber State (LB, Sr., Meridian, Idaho)
Senior Garrett Beck led the Wildcat defense and had the winning play in Saturday’s 55-48 overtime win at No. 8 Montana. On Montana’s first possession in overtime, Garrett had a strip sack and recovered the fumble that sealed Weber State’s win. He also tied for the Wildcat lead with eight tackles in the game, four being solos.
Co-Defensive Players of the Week: Jaxton Eck, Idaho (LB, So., Brookings, S.D.)
Jaxton Eck recorded a team-high 11 tackles and tallied his first-career interception with an 11-yard return. His performance helped Idaho hold Northern Arizona to just 17 points enroute to the 23-17 win over the 25th-ranked Lumberjacks. Idaho has held every opponent to 28 points or fewer and three of six opponents to 17 points or fewer despite playing four consecutive ranked opponents and a pair of FBS schools. Eck leads the Vandals with 45 total tackles so far this season.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Gabe Panikowski, Idaho State (K, Jr., San Diego, Calif.)
Gabe Panikowski hit a walk-off field goal to give Idaho State its first win at Cal Poly since 2003, as the junior was a perfect 2-for-2 on the day and made all five of his extra point attempts. Panikowski made field goals of 33 and 24, with the 24-yarder being the game-winner as time expired.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Football Player of the Week
Offense: Elisha Cummings (UI), Jeff Weimer (ISU), Keelan White (UM), Tommy Mellott (MSU), Dante Chachere (PSU), Miles Hastings (UCD)
Defense: Nathan Reynolds (ISU), Riley Wilson (WSU), Danny Uliulakepa (MSU), Tyreese Shakir (PSU)
Special Teams: Brendan Hall (MSU), Noah Kjar (WSU)
