Another big-time game for Vandals
Montana State at Idaho, today, 1 p.m., ESPN+
Another sellout crowd expected, another talented team from Montana visiting the Kibbie Dome today.
The Idaho Vandals hope they learned from their loss to Montana two weeks ago, when Montana State (6-1, 4-0 Big Sky), ranked No. 2 in the FCS, plays at No. 9 Idaho (5-2, 3-1) today at 1 p.m. at the Kibbie Dome.
“We didn’t play the way we were capable of in the last game, and it’s going to take a full four quarters to win this game,” said Idaho coach Jason Eck, whose team fell behind Montana 20-0 late in the first half before rallying in the ESPN2 game, eventually coming up short 23-21. “Early in the game they outphysicalled us, and we can’t let that happen again.”
It will be the first time the teams have met when both were ranked.
“They've obviously had a lot of success these last two years under coach (Jason) Eck,” third-year Montana State coach Brent Vigen said. “They're very prolific on offense and have played some really good defense at the same time."
The teams did not meet last year, when Idaho finished 7-5 and advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time since returning to the Big Sky in 2018.
While the Vandals were on a bye last week, Montana State won 42-30 at Sac State, also an ESPN2 game. And both Bobcat quarterbacks — Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers — were healthy and effective against the Hornets.
Mellott, injured earlier in the season, ran for 105 yards and scored two touchdowns.
“Their quarterbacks are tremendous,” Eck said. “Both of them are very good runners and throwers. One of the keys is holding those guys in check.
“The quarterbacks are a little different. Tommy is so fast, he can really get to the perimeter, make things happen and run away from guys. Chambers is a load. When I met him at the Big Sky Kickoff, I knew who Chambers was, but I didn’t have a name to the face. When I first met him I figured he was a D-end or something, because he’s a humongous human being. He’s really physical with the downhill runs.”
Eck said the Vandals have to be aware of which quarterback is in the game — and when both QBs are in the game, since Montana State likes to snap it to one of them, who hands it to the other for a run/pass option.
Montana State, which played for the FCS championship last year, leads the Big Sky in scoring offense and scoring defense.
Idaho is 13th in the FCS in total offense, 20th in scoring offense, and 10th in first downs gained.
The Vandals rallied against the Griz with an up-tempo offense which featured mostly passing, but Eck said he’d prefer Idaho be more balanced.
"They definitely have some weapons on the offensive side that catch your eye," Vigen said, alluding to quarterback Gevani McCoy and receiver Hayden Hatten.
Defensively, Eck said he was most impressed with Montana State’s defensive line. Brody Grebe is third in the Big Sky in sacks, and Jon Johnson and Rylan Ortt each have pick-6s.