THIS WEEK IN THE BIG SKY

Eastern Washington (4-3, 3-1) at Montana (5-1, 4-1)

Eastern Washington has won three consecutive conference games entering a battle between the two-time Big Sky champions. Montana leads the series, 16-8-1, but the Grizzlies are 5-4 against Eastern Washington this decade. Running back Jesse Chatman of Eastern Washington was selected conference offensive player of the week after rushing for a career-high 236 yards and three touchdowns in 33 carries in a 45-38 victory over Idaho State. Chatman rushed for more than 200 yards against Northridge this season. Lamont Brightful returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown against Idaho State and is averaging 38.8 yards a return to lead Division I-AA. The Eagles are the last Big Sky team to defeat Montana at Missoula, 40-35, in 1997. Quarterback Drew Miller, the Big Sky’s passing leader, passed for 262 yards and three touchdowns last week in a 42-23 victory over Northern Arizona.

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Portland State (5-2, 4-1) at Weber State (3-4, 2-2)

Quarterback Jimmy Blanchard, who passed for 348 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Montana State last week, leads Portland State’s potent offense. The Vikings, however, have not won at Weber State since 1979. The Wildcats lead the series, 11-7. Charles Dunn’s 38-yard touchdown run in the final minutes lifted Portland State to a 34-27 victory last season. Dunn is the Vikings’ top ballcarrier this season. Linebacker Tino Retamoza of Portland State earned conference defensive player-of-the-week honors after making 14 tackles, including 12 solo, in a 49-28 victory over Montana State. Weber State, ranked last in the Big Sky in total offense, was defeated last week by Southern Utah, 39-7.

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Northern Arizona (3-3, 1-2) at Cal State Sacramento (4-3, 2-3)

This game features the Big Sky’s two best defenses. Sacramento is 4-0 at home and has scored at least 41 points in each victory. The Hornets last season recorded their first victory over Northern Arizona, 38-21. The Lumberjacks have lost two consecutive games, both at home. Sacramento’s Charles Roberts leads the Big Sky in yards rushing.

Nonconference

Idaho State (2-5) at Southern Utah (4-3)

Idaho State quarterback Kevin McCarthy passed for 477 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-38 loss at Eastern Washington.