Idaho (0-4) vs. #1 Montana State (5-0)
MOSCOW, Idaho - After a bye week slotted at the perfect time for some recovery, Idaho football is back in action in Week 6, welcoming Montana State to the P1FCU Kibbie Dome in the return to conference play for the first time since the season opener.
Capping off the three-game homestand, UI hung tough with two playoff-caliber teams going into the bye week, dropping the contests by a combined eight points. The contest will serve as the annual Ag Appreciation game sponsored by Amalgamated Sugar.
HEAR FROM THE COACHING STAFF
A LOOK AT MONTANA STATE The defending FCS national champions, Montana State has been the near-unanimous #1 in the polls all season long. Brent Vigen's squad opened the year with a road shutout of Utah Tech and picked up a road win over FBS Nevada before surviving an aggressive upset attempt from Central Connecticut State in Bozeman.
The Bobcats are coming off a home win over Northern Arizona to open conference play back up, in which they gutted out a 28-14 performance with All-Americans Justin Lamson, Taco Dowler, and Caden Dowler all sidelined, while fellow star Adam Jones carried the ball just twice for four yards. Treasure State native Patrick Duchien made his first career start under center vs. the Lumberjacks, going 16-20 for 204 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while carrying the rock nine times for 77 yards and two scores.
Even without much of an impact from the quartet of All-Americans last week, Dane Steel has been a strong pass catcher for the Bobcats with 20 grabs and a team-high four TDs. True freshman Carter Dahlke, a top-6 recruit out of Montana according to both Rivals and 247 Sports, has brought in 13 receptions for 245 yards, a team-leading 18.8 yards per grab.
MSU's defense has made plays across the board, having snagged five interceptions from five different Bobcats. LB Cole Taylor, DB Colter Petre, and DE Zac Crews, all Montana natives, top the charts for the Bobcats in tackles, having combined for 91 stops in five games.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR
NUMBERS TO KNOW
TRADITIONS Idaho football is continuing the tradition of the Vandal March. Every home game, the football team and coaches will kick off the opening of the Vandal Fan Zone by walking through the crowd and greeting fans as they make their way into the Dome before the game starts. This will take place approximately two and a half hours before kickoff. The Vandal Fan Zone will open at this time as well.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow the Vandals on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates.
TICKETS: Season tickets, mini plans, and single-game tickets are available here or by calling the Idaho Ticket Office at (208) 885-6466.