Vandals brace for explosive Griz offense
Idaho at Montana • Today, noon • TV: SWX/ESPN+ • Radio 1230 AM, 107.1 FM
By MARK NELKE
Sports editor
The atmosphere is daunting, of course, but the Idaho Vandals have been there, done that, winning in Missoula in 2022.
More tangible for the Vandals today is defending a Montana team that can run it, pass it and catch it.
"We've got to slow them down offensively," said Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr., whose Vandals (1-5, 1-2 Big Sky) play at Montana (5-2, 3-1) today at noon for the Little Brown Stein in front of the expected sellout crowd at 25,217-seat Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
"They've probably got three of the best skill guys in the country at quarterback (Keali'i Ah Yat), running back (Eli Gillman) and wide receiver (Brooks Davis).
"We've got to try to slow Gillman down; he's the best running back in the country, and I don't think it's particularly close ... and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Their quarterback can spin it."
The good news — no one's perfect (literally) in the Big Sky.
Idaho stunned the defending FCS national champions, Montana State, two weeks ago.
And last week, Montana stumbled in a 49-44 loss at Northern Arizona.
There are no unbeaten teams in the Big Sky — Montana, NAU, Cal Poly and Weber State are all tied for first at 3-1 (Montana State is 2-1).
"We've got our work cut out for us, no question but this is the Big Sky," Ford said. "Nobody in this league is undefeated, and there is a reason it is that way."
The 6-foot, 215-pound Gillman was the Jerry Rice Award winner in 2023, for the top freshman in FCS. He is Montana's all-time leading rusher with 4,554 yards. He has rushed for 62 TDs, including 13 this year and 877 rushing yards this year.
"He's big; that joker is thick," Ford said. "He is a hard guy to tackle. I think he has really good vision, elite short-area quickness and top end speed. That's something you don't normally see at this level, where a guy has the size, lateral quickness and top-end speed. Normally those guys play in the SEC. And he probably could have; if he'd wanted to have left Montana after last year, he probably could have had plenty of suitors — SEC, Big Ten ... because he's a very good player. He's probably the best back I've seen in my five years in the Big Sky ... I like watching him play all the other games — except for our game, for sure."
Idaho's defense, of course, gave up 307 rushing yards last week in a 38-27 loss at Weber State.
Ford attributed that, in part, to poor tackling, and poor angles of pursuit, which have also led to big plays.
"It's a mix between scheme and execution," Ford said.
Ah Yat has thrown for 1,942 yards and 17 TDs this season, with two interceptions.
Davis has 56 catches for 810 yards and six TDs.
Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood played well in last year's game in Missoula, gashing the Griz mostly through the air. But he was injured during the game, and Montana went on to win, 41-30.
Montana’s defense is ranked second in the FCS, but is a bit depleted, with six starters missing at least two games and three defensive linemen likely out for the season.
"This is a one-possession league," Ford said. "Everyone in this league can beat everyone. There is no one in this league you can take lightly. I'm sure they're champing at the bid to get it right, but at the end of the day, it's about us."
Notes: North Idaho players on the Montana roster include offensive lineman Wyatt Sandford and long snapper Jace Eastlick, both of Coeur d'Alene High ... a watch party for local Vandal fans is scheduled for the Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company, 826 N. 4th St. in Coeur d'Alene.