THIS WEEK IN THE BIG SKY

Stephen F. Austin (2-0)

at Montana (0-0)

Montana, two-time defending Big Sky Conference champion and national champion two years ago, is top-ranked in the nation in The Sports Network poll. Junior quarterback Brian Ah Yat last year passed for 42 touchdowns, a school and conference season record. Stephen F. Austin is also a Division I-AA school, playing in the tough Southland Football League. The Lumberjacks are coming off a 38-3 victory over Delta State. Junior Jeremiah Trotter is one of the division’s best linebackers.

Chadron State (1-0)

at Montana State (0-0)

Montana State has dropped its past two openers on the road to I-A teams, so it is staying home this time. Enter Chadron State, a top Division II program but probably an entree for the Bobcats. Sophomore Rob Compson passed for 1,385 yards and nine touchdowns for Montana State in 1996. Chadron last week defeated Western Montana, 34-10.

Eastern Oregon (0-0)

at Eastern Washington (1-0)

After gaining 740 yards in a 63-7 rout of Rocky Mountain, Eastern Washington should pad its statistics against another NAIA program. Senior Harry Leons passed for 252 yards and four touchdowns. His backup, Griffin Garske, threw for 191 yards and two scores. Eastern Washington won the last game between the teams, 40-0, in 1978.

Southern Utah (2-0)

at Weber State (1-0)

After a three-year hiatus, a cross-state rivalry is renewed. Weber State is 10-0 in the series dating to 1984. The Wildcats didn’t dominate Division II Western (Colo.) State last week, relying on Scott Shields for three field goals and one interception for a touchdown in a 29-13 victory. Southern Utah is averaging 295.5 yards rushing, fifth in I-AA.

Idaho (1-1)

at Idaho State (0-1)

Another intrastate extravaganza between a mediocre team and a lousy one. Idaho is a I-A pretender coming off a 46-0 victory over Big Sky Conference patsy Portland State. Idaho State fell to Utah State, 41-7, gaining 111 yards. Idaho leads the series, 23-10-1.