THIS WEEK IN THE BIG SKY

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

Conference play begins for two teams that fly low in the Big Sky Conference. At stake could be the only conference victory for either team. Weber State was picked to finish eighth, Idaho State ninth, in the preseason coaches’ poll. Last year, Weber State defeated Idaho State, 6-3, and has won three in a row over the Bengals. Idaho State has defeated Eastern Oregon and Fort Lewis, but the Bengals’ run might be short-lived. Quarterback Shane Griggs is doubtful after tearing a knee ligament in a 42-3 victory last week at Fort Lewis. Backup Kevin McCarthy has thrown three touchdown passes this season. Nick Whitworth has rushed for 494 yards in two games and has Weber State Coach Jerry Graybeal concerned. “He’s an excellent player who plays all-out all the time,” Graybeal said. The Wildcats will be without 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive tackle Ron James for the rest of the season after tearing knee ligaments last week in a 41-16 loss to Wyoming. Morgan Welch ranked second in the conference in rushing last season with 1,629 yards.

Nonconference:

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

Sacramento fell short in overtime last week against defending conference champion Montana, 41-38. The game supported prognostications that the Hornets are among the most improved teams in the Big Sky. Junior college transfer Ricky Ray threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Chris Kelly, the final one with 31 seconds to play to force overtime. Junior Charles Roberts, who rushed for a Division I-AA record 2,260 yards last season, has emerged as the Big Sky’s premier back. The Hornets host Montana State next week.

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

The two-quarterback system being the rage this season, Montana State Coach Cliff Hysell will continue to alternate Dusty Broderick and Kasey Harte. Broderick, a sophomore, will start against Cal Poly SLO. Harte, a senior, entered the season as the projected starter. The pair last week passed for 300 yards and five touchdowns in a 65-8 victory over Western New Mexico. “At halftime, we’ll evaluate how each guy is playing and go from there,” Hysell said.

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Northern Arizona (1-0) at New Mexico (0-2)

Coaches picked Northern Arizona to finish second in the Big Sky and the Lumberjacks got off to a fast start with a 55-21 victory over Cal Poly SLO. Ronney Jenkins, who transferred from Brigham Young, rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns. The former record-setting back at Hueneme High might tip the scales if the Big Sky title hinges on a showdown against Montana at Flagstaff on Oct. 16.

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Portland State 48, Eastern Washington 39--Jimmy Blanchard passed for four touchdowns, including a school-record 99-yarder, and the Vikings (2-1) survived a late rally by Eastern Washington (1-2) in the Big Sky opener for both teams Thursday night in Portland.

Eastern Washington scored two touchdowns in the final 11 minutes to pull within 41-39 but failed on a two-point conversion pass with 32 seconds to play that would have tied the score.

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Montana and Northridge have byes this week