This Week in the Big Sky

Conference

Eastern Washington (2-0, 0-0) at Portland State (0-2, 0-0)

Eastern Washington hasn’t played a tough team and this one is no different. But the Sports Network’s Division I-AA pollsters surely will be impressed enough to move the Eagles up from their ranking at No. 21. Eagle senior wide receiver Jeff Ogden scored three touchdowns in each game. He had only 13 receptions--and no touchdowns--the past three seasons. Portland State was outscored, 81-7, by Fresno State and Idaho.

*

Nonconference

Montana State (1-0) at Southwest Texas State (1-1)

Go with the Bobcats. OK, so both teams have the same nickname. Montana State won its opener last week over Division II Chadron State, 24-14. Southwest Texas State is coming off a 28-24 loss to Hofstra. Junior Rob Compson passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns for Montana State. It’s a final warmup before Montana State opens Big Sky play next week at Idaho State

*

Weber State (2-0) at Boise State (0-3)

The colorblind special. Weber State’s field is surrounded by a purple track; Boise State’s artificial turf is blue with orange end zones. Weber State is ranked 24th despite playing weak opponents--Western (Colo.) State and Southern Utah--and having to rally in the second half each time. Weber State last week beat Southern Utah, 33-32, when the Thunderbirds missed a 37-yard field goal with 34 seconds to play. Boise State was blistered by Cal State Northridge, 63-23, on Aug. 30, then pushed Wisconsin in a 28-24 loss at Madison and last week lost at Central Michigan, 44-26.

*

St. Mary’s (Calif.) (1-1) at Montana (1-0)

Here’s a scary thought for Montana opponents: Despite losing record-setting quarterback Brian Ah Yat to strained knee ligaments in the first quarter last week, the top-rated Grizzlies dumped No. 14 Stephen F. Austin, 24-10. Ah Yat is doubtful for tonight but a Montana victory is not. St. Mary’s polished off San Diego, 30-20, last week. How to beat Montana? Unhook its IVs. Senior linebacker Jason Crebo, the Big Sky defensive player of the year in 1996, and starting linebacker Marcus Wilson each were given fluids before and at halftime of the game last week to combat the flu.

*

Minnesota-Duluth (0-3) at Northern Arizona (1-1)

One more warm-weather excursion for the Division II Bulldogs before snow-plowing their way through the season. But don’t count on a warm reception from Northern Arizona. The Lumberjacks, ranked No. 7, were idle last week after beating St. Cloud (Minn.) Sate, 33-10, on Sept. 6. They are looking for momentum heading into their Big Sky opener next week against Portland State. Kino Carson has 144 yards rushing and Tyler McDonnell has 131 yards for Northern Arizona.

*

UC Davis (0-2) at Sacramento State (0-1)

This annual matchup billed as the “Causeway Classic” is one of Sacramento’s two best chances for a victory. The Hornets won one game last season against--you guessed it--Davis, a Division II school. Davis lost to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and South Dakota State. Davis leads the series, 29-15.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Big Sky Standings

*--*

Conference Overall School W L W L PF PA E. Washington 0 0 2 0 101 21 Weber St. 0 0 2 0 62 45 Montana 0 0 2 0 24 10 Montana St. 0 0 2 0 24 14 N. Arizona 0 0 2 0 43 43 CS Northridge 0 0 1 2 102 85 SacramentoSt. 0 0 0 1 14 24 Idaho St. 0 0 0 2 7 84 Portland St. 0 0 0 2 7 81

*--*

Last week’s results

New Mexico State 28, Northridge 18

Montana 24, Stephen F. Austin 10

Montana State 24, Chadron State 14

Weber State 33, Southern Utah 32

Eastern Washington 38, Eastern Oregon 14

Idaho 43, Idaho State 0

Today’s games

Azusa Pacific at Northridge

Eastern Washington at Portland State

Weber State at Boise State

Montana State at Southwest Texas State

UC Davis at Sacramento State

St. Mary’s at Montana

Minnesota-Duluth at Northern Arizona

Bye-Idaho State

Next Saturday’s games

Portland State at Northern Arizona

Weber State at Eastern Washington

Montana State at Idaho State

Sacramento State at Montana

Bye-Northridge