This Week in the Big Sky

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

Weber State opens Big Sky Conference play seriously battered. Quarterback Steve Buck (ankle ligaments), receiver Josh Andrews (broken hand) and backup right tackle Ron James (knee ligaments) suffered season-ending injuries last week in a 41-12 victory over Humboldt State. Junior Chris Wallace replaces Buck, who underwent surgery on Sunday. The Wildcats still have all-purpose All-American Scott Shields. The senior kicker-punter-strong safety made two field goals, five extra points, intercepted two passes and averaged 49.1 yards on six punts. He has 19 career interceptions, fourth-best in Big Sky history. Idaho State is coming off a bye after losing to New Mexico, 38-9, on Sept. 5. The Bengals gave up 507 yards. Weber State defeated Idaho State in 12 of last 13 and leads series, 24-13-0, dating to 1962.

Nonconference

Portland State (1-0) at Boise State (1-1)

Portland State’s 30-27 victory at Eastern Washington last week was the 18th overtime game in Big Sky history. The Vikings won on a 23-yard pass from Jimmy Blanchard to Art Williams. Viking sophomore Charles “Chip” Dunn, who played at Pasadena Muir High, rushed for 193 yards and scored once, his fifth consecutive 100-yard rushing effort. The Vikings are trying to start 2-0 for the first time since 1993, when they played in Division II. Boise State is coming off a 33-21 home loss to Washington State. The Broncos led, 14-6, in the third quarter before Washington State rallied. Boise State leads the series with Portland State, 4-1.

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

Sacramento is taking advantage of Charles Roberts’ quick start. The 5-foot-6 sophomore carried 37 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns in Sacramento’s 22-14 victory over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo last week. It was the most rushing yards for a Hornet since 1991. He was selected Big Sky offensive co-player of the week. Roberts had 130 yards rushing the previous week and is averaging 176 yards, sixth in I-AA. Sacramento’s last 3-0 start was in 1992. Davis is ranked No. 2 in Division II. Davis quarterback Kevin Daft is averaging 159.5 yards passing. The teams have met every year since 1954, with Davis holding a 30-15 advantage. They met twice in 1988, once in the playoffs. Davis last year won, 36-28, in three overtimes.

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Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (0-2) at Montana (1-1)

Montana last week surprisingly fell to Southern Utah, 45-35, and slipped eight spots to No. 11 in The Sports Network poll. The Grizzlies had won 40 of 42 games at home dating to mid-1992. Montana quarterback Brian Ah Yat leads I-AA in offense at 454 yards per game. He passed for 423 yards and four touchdowns against Southern Utah, but was intercepted three times. The Grizzlies allowed 493 yards rushing. Montana is San Luis Obispo’s third consecutive Big Sky opponent, with Portland State on Oct. 31. The Mustangs last week lost to Cal State Sacramento, 22-14. They outgained the Hornets, 388 yards to 277, but lost three fumbles. Montana leads the series with San Luis Obispo, 4-0.

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Western Washington (1-0) at Montana State (1-1)

Montana State last week pushed Wyoming before losing, 17-9. The Bobcats rank fourth in the Big Sky in rushing at 188 yards per game, fifth in passing (216 yards) and third in offense (404 yards). They had 328 yards against Wyoming and held the Cowboys to 431 yards. Western Washington, playing its first season in Division II, last week defeated Chapman, 21-14.