THIS WEEK IN THE BIG SKY

Weber State (4-3, 2-2) at Montana State (4-3, 3-2)

Montana State showed how difficult it is to win on the road in the Big Sky by being thoroughly embarrassed at Portland State, 44-0. In 21 conference games this season, the home team has won 16 times. Weber State is 0-3 on the road, including a 24-7 nonconference loss at Boise State on Sept. 20. The Wildcats, coming off a bye, are 6-2 in Bozeman since 1981. Weber State and Montana State have deficiencies that could improve in this game. The Wildcats, for instance, are averaging 90.3 yards rushing but Montana State allows 153.1 yards rushing per game. Weber State has a 29.7% third-down conversion rate but teams are making third-down plays against Montana State at a 43.1% clip. Montana State, blanked for the third time since 1985, last week ran only 47 plays--26 on the ground. The Bobcats finished with 136 yards passing and minus-11 rushing.

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Northern Arizona (6-2, 4-1) at Idaho State (1-6, 0-4)

It came down to a 39-yard field goal with 33 seconds to play, but Northern Arizona last week derailed Montana, 27-24, in Flagstaff to end a nine-game losing streak against the Grizzlies. Northern Arizona, ranked 10th in The Sports Network poll, can pull even with Eastern Washington atop the Big Sky standings with a victory. Travis Brown was named the conference’s offensive co-player of the week with Cal State Northridge quarterback Aaron Flowers after completing 29 of 47 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Brown leads the Big Sky with 2,651 yards passing and Kino Carson has 748 yards rushing, giving the Lumberjacks the potential for a 1,000-yard rusher and passer for the third consecutive season. Northern Arizona neutralized Montana in the fourth quarter, keeping the ball for 12:15. Idaho State is coming off a 51-7 loss to Eastern Washington, the fourth time this season the Bengals have lost by 34 or more points. The Bengals are next to last in the conference in defense (425.3 yards allowed per game) and last in offense (217.9 yards per game). The Lumberjacks have won five in a row against Idaho State.

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Portland State (3-5, 2-3) at Cal State Sacramento (1-6, 1-4)

Portland State last week won only its third Big Sky game since joining the conference by shocking Montana State, 44-0. The Vikings did it with a swarming defense that registered five sacks, nine tackles for a loss, seven turnovers and held Montana State to 125 yards. Charles Gilmore, a junior defensive end, was selected the Big Sky defensive player of the week after making eight unassisted tackles and recovering two fumbles. Portland State’s starting quarterback Tyson Parsons suffered a shoulder separation on the third play of the game but his replacement, redshirt freshman Jimmy Blanchard, completed 15 of 27 passes for 135 yards. Redshirt freshman Charles Dunn carried 25 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks second in rushing in the Big Sky at 96.1 yards per game. Sacramento lost to Cal State Northridge, 45-38, in overtime. The Hornets led, 21-10, in the third quarter without an offensive score. Tyrone Taylor had nine receptions for 179 yards and scored once. He also had 133 yards in kickoff returns, including one for an 89-yard touchdown. Linebacker Ryland Wickman made 11 unassisted tackles and returned a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown. Portland State has won eight of nine meetings and leads the series, 11-4.

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Nonconference Idaho (4-4) at Eastern Washington (7-1)

This is Eastern Washington’s first home game at Albi Stadium in Spokane since a 51-28 loss to Idaho in 1990. The teams have met four times at the stadium, with Idaho winning three. Eastern Washington has its best record since going 11-0 in 1967 before losing the NAIA national championship game. The Eagles last week routed Idaho State, 51-7, and rose one slot to No. 11 in The Sports Network poll. Junior Josh Atwood kicked six extra points, giving him 37 in his career, a school record. He also made three field goals to tie the school’s single-game record. Atwood was selected Big Sky special teams player of the week. The Eagles rank second in Division I-AA in offense at 509.4 yards per game. Idaho, formerly in the Big Sky and now in the Big West, is coming off a 42-23 loss at Nevada. The Vandals are 2-0 against Big Sky teams this year, shutting out Portland State and Idaho State on consecutive weeks in September. Brian Brennan (2,203 yards passing and 15 touchdowns) and Antonio Wilson (715 yards receiving) are their mainstays. Idaho defeated Eastern Washington in eight of nine games as a member of the Big Sky. Idaho is Eastern Washington’s only non-Division I-AA opponent this year.