OGDEN, Utah (November 19, 2016) – And just like that, the #BigSkyFB regular season is over.
There have been 143 regular season games, with postseason bids forthcoming for several Big Sky teams.
The Eastern Washington Eagles and North Dakota Fighting Hawks share the league’s title, after perfect 8-0 seasons, but Eastern Washington will earn the league’s automatic bid.
The #BigSkyFB teams will find out their fates Sunday morning, with the FCS Selection Show, at 9 a.m. MST, on ESPNU.
Montana State 24, Montana 17 - The Montana State Bobcats denied rival Montana a chance at an at-large bid in the FCS playoffs, earning their first win over the Grizzlies since 2012.
The Bobcats went on a 24-0 run midway through the game, after the Grizzlies struck first. On the first offensive play, Montana quarterback Brady Gustafson found Justin Calhoun on a 58-yard go route, giving the Grizzlies an early 7-0 run.
From there, it was true freshman Chris Murray who permanently etched his name in MSU lore, as he rushed for two touchdowns, including a 48-yard scamper. Murray rushed for 142 yards, with two touchdowns.
The Grizzlies made their way back in the second half, with Joey Counts scoring at the eleven-minute mark, cutting the deficit to 24-17. However, the Bobcats found a way to close out the rest of the game, earning their first win in the “Brawl of the Wild” since 2012, when the Bobcats also defeated the Grizzlies at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Jeff Choate is the second consecutive coach to win his first game in the rivalry, as Montana coach Bob Stitt won in his 2015 debut.
Weber State 34, Idaho State 28 – The Wildcats earned a road win to end the season, finishing with the program’s most wins in a season since 2009.
It was a game that was filled with tense moments, for sure, as Idaho State held a 21-17 lead at halftime. The Wildcats reclaimed the lead with 5:44 remaining in the third quarter, as quarterback Jadrian Clark found Andrew Vollert on a 46-yard score.
Then, with the Idaho State Bengals driving, Weber’s defense forced a fumble. The Wildcats took advantage, with Clark finding Drew Batchelor for a 48-yard score.
Clark threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns, with Idaho State quarterback Tanner Gueller throwing for 362 yards and three touchdowns. Haini Moimoi rushed for 101 yards for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats are in contention for an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs, and will learn their fate Sunday morning.
Cal Poly 55, Northern Colorado 48 – A flurry of offensive production sent the Cal Poly Mustangs into Selection Sunday, as they await a potential invitation to the FCS playoffs.
The Northern Colorado Bears gave the Mustangs everything they wanted, and more, as the Bears scored with 23 seconds left, to get within a score. However, an onside kick attempt failed, sending Cal Poly to a 7-4 record, and a record of 5-3 in Big Sky play.
Cal Poly held a 21-7 lead after the first quarter, after DJ Peluso scored on a 13-yard run. However, it was the Bears who responded in the second half, getting the score to within three points, 34-31, after a six-yard pass from Kyle Sloter to Stephen Miller.
Mustangs quarterback Dano Graves rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown, while Joe Protheroe rushed for 110 yards and a score. Northern Colorado quarterback Kyle Sloter passed for 438 yards and six touchdowns.
Like Weber State, Cal Poly will wait for an invitation to the FCS playoffs, in the FCS Selection Show on Sunday morning.
Southern Utah 48, Northern Arizona 27 – The Thunderbirds closed out the season with a blowout road win over rival Northern Arizona, winning the HintonBurdick Grand Canyon Trophy for the second consecutive season.
Thunderbirds quarterback Patrick Tyler threw for 288 yards and five touchdowns, throwing three straight touchdowns to Mike Sharp. Sharp had 139 receiving yards on seven catches, with three scores.
The Lumberjacks tied at the game at 21-21, midway through the second quarter, on 26-yard connection to Emmanuel Butler from Blake Kemp. However, Sharp had a 73-yard scoring reception to end the first half, giving Southern Utah a 28-21 halftime lead.
The Thunderbirds intercepted Kemp three times, giving them a Big Sky-high 20 interceptions, which is tied with North Dakota for the league high.
UC Davis 48, Sacramento State 30 – A 21-0 run in the first half gave UC Davis the advantage they needed, as the Aggies picked up a home win in the Causeway Classic.
UC Davis quarterback Ben Scott threw for 292 yards and five touchdowns, while Manusamoa Luuga rushed for 292 yards, as the Aggies earned their first league win since Oct. 15, when they defeated Northern Colorado. Scott threw three first-half scores to Keelan Doss, with Luuga rushing for a 58-yard score.
The Aggies finished with 598 yards of offense, as Doss caught seven passes, for 207 yards and four touchdowns.