This Week in the Big Sky

Weber State (2-1, 0-0) at Eastern Washington (3-0, 1-0)

Eastern Washington will finally play a team its size. The Eagles, ranked No. 21 in Division I-AA, beat up on two NAIA weaklings and the Big Sky Conference’s patsy, Portland State. Weber State is a more formidable threat, even though the Wildcats are not exactly frightening. Last week, Weber State lost to I-A Boise State, 24-7, after being penalized 12 times for 103 yards. Junior free safety-kicker-punter Scott Shields, an All-American in 1996, showed additional versatility by booting kickoffs with his left foot and field goals with his right because an abdominal sprain made it painful to kick long with his right leg. Mike MacKenzie of Eastern Washington leads the Big Sky in rushing with 294 yards.

Cal State Sacramento (0-2, 0-0) at Montana (2-0, 0-0)

Montana is top-ranked in I-AA; Sacramento is one of the Big Sky’s worst teams. Montana played last week without All-American quarterback Brian Ah Yat, who rested a banged-up knee. Bakcup Darren Rowell responded with a bang-up game, passing for 368 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-14 victory over St. Mary’s. Ah Yat is expected to return today. Sacramento has lost 11 in a row, including 36-28 to UC Davis in triple overtime last Saturday.

Portland State (0-3, 0-1) at Northern Arizona (2-1, 0-0)

Any truth to the rumor the Vikings are checking to see if Neil Lomax has any eligibility left? Portland State is averaging 251 yards, eighth in the nine-team conference. The Vikings lost last week to Eastern Washington, 31-14. Northern Arizona, ranked No. 5, dismantled Minnesota-Duluth, 40-6. junior linebacker Terrance Petty, who played at Moorpark College, made 13 tackles.

Montana State (1-1, 0-0) at Idaho State (0-2, 0-0)

Without further ado, the Marge Schott award for sensitivity goes to Idaho State Coach Tom Walsh, who two weeks ago said his team played like a bunch of paraplegics. And here’s the real grabber; Idaho State’s All-American corner-back Marcus Jackson last season broke two cervical vertebrae while making a tackle and is paralyzed below the waist. The Bengals had a bye last Saturday. Montana State lost last week to Southwest Texas State, 28-26. The Bobcats, traditionally a running team, had Rob Compson pass 54 times for 395 yards.

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Big Sky Standings

Conference

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School W L W E. Washington 1 0 3 Montana 0 0 2 N. Arizona 0 0 2 Weber St. 0 0 2 CS Northridge 0 0 2 Montana St. 0 0 1 CSSacramento 0 0 0 Idaho St. 0 0 0 Portland St. 0 1 0

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Overall

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School L PF PA E. Washington 0 132 35 Montana 0 59 24 N. Arizona 1 83 49 Weber St. 1 69 69 CS Northridge 2 165 106 Montana St. 1 50 42 CSSacramento 2 42 60 Idaho St. 2 7 84 Portland St. 3 21 112

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Last week

Northridge 63, Azusa Pacific 21

E. Washington 31, Portland State 14

Boise State 24, Weber State 7

SW Texas State 28, Montana State 26

UC Davis 36, Sacramento State 28

Montana 35, St. Mary’s 14

Northern Arizona 40, Minnesota-Duluth 6

Today

Portland State at Northern Arizona

Weber State at Eastern Washington

Montana State at Idaho State

Cal State Sacramento at Montana

Bye-Northridge