Around the Big Sky

Following a dull week in the Big Sky Conference that saw conference-leader Weber State idle and second-place Montana notch a lackluster 29–10 win over winless Idaho State, the final of the regular season promises to be much more eventful.
Sacramento State could clinch its first winning season since 2000. Idaho State still searches for its first win.  Eastern Washington can influence history, as an Eagle win against Weber State could help Montana share the Big Sky Conference Championship for a record eleventh straight season. And there is the 108th “Brawl of the Wild” pitting Montana against Montana State in a game that the Griz need to win to do their part in extending the streak against a red-hot Bobcat team that could bolster its playoff resume with its first win against Montana in three years.
Eastern Washington (4–3, 6–5) at No. 8 Weber State (7–0, 9–2)
After a week off, Weber State closes out its season with a chance to clinch the first outright BSC title in program history if they can beat a surging Eagle squad that dominated the second half in a 28–13 victory last week against Northern Arizona. 

Ron McBride’s Wildcats have already clinched the Big Sky’s automatic bid to the 16-team Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. A win would almost guarantee Weber a first round home game and perhaps mean two straight weeks in Ogden, Utah, come December. 
The Eagles scored three unanswered touchdowns and held NAU to just one drive over 15 yards in the second half in their final home game of the season. Junior Matt Nichols came off the bench on Senior Day to throw for 345 yards and run for another 29 in the victory.
Weber State is led by the league’s leading rusher in senior running back Trevyn Smith and its leading passer in sophomore signal caller Cameron Higgins. Both look to bolster their resumes for the Walter Payton Award given to the top offensive player in the FCS on the Wildcats’ Senior Day. Higgins has completed almost 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards (third in the nation) and 33 touchdowns (second nationally). Smith has rushed for a Big Sky-best 1,173 yards and 20 total touchdowns, the latter ranking third nationally.

Sacramento State (6–5, 3–4) at Idaho State (0–11, 0–7)
Although it will most certainly be the season finale for both squads, there is still a lot on the line for both the Hornets and the Bengals.
Sac State is looking for its first four-game winning streak since beginning 1991 at 6–0. A win against ISU could also clinch the Hornets’ first winning season since 2000. A win would also be Sac State’s third straight on the road, which also hasn’t happened since 1991.
Sac wide receiver Tony Washington, the third-leading receiver in yards in all the FCS, enters the game with 76 catches for 1,195 and 12 touchdowns. He needs one catch, 13 yards and two touchdowns to set single-season school records.
ISU is trying to snap a 15-game losing streak that dates back to last October. Junior Kyle Blum started at quarterback for the Bengals last week against Montana. He completed 16-of-34 passes for 246 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
ISU wide receiver Eddie Thompson enters his final game with 217 career catches, sixth-most in league history.
Northern Colorado (1–9, 1–6) at Portland State (3–7, 2–5)
Northern Colorado makes a trip to the coast trying to break a 15-game road-losing streak and a four-game losing streak to the Vikings. The Bears are also trying to avoid their third consecutive one-win season since moving up from Division II to the Big Sky three seasons ago.
Jerry Glanville has just 12 seniors that he hopes to send out in style after a somewhat disappointing campaign. Portland State leads the conference in passing yards per game (376 yards per game), but also is second to last in the league in total defense, giving up over 450 yards and almost 34 points per contest.
UNC gives up over 30 points per game as well, but its defense, led by Big Sky tackle leader senior linebacker Cristian Sarmento (130 total tackles), gives up almost 60 yards (394 ypg) than the Vikings.
Among the dozen seniors who will play at PGE Park for the final time on Saturday for PSU is inside linebacker Andy Schantz, who is second to Sarmento in the Big Sky in total tackles with 104.
colter.nuanez@umontana.edu