OGDEN, Utah (September 17, 2016) – Even if it was a non-conference game on the schedule, any game between conference foes is guaranteed to bring some energy.
Weber State and Sacramento State both entered a non-conference game in Ogden, in need of a win after 0-2 starts to the preseason. That need, mixed with the connections between the programs, set the stage for a clash between two #BigSkyFB programs, trying to get momentum before conference play opens next week.
There was little momentum, but a win, nonetheless, for Weber State, as
Wildcats quarterback Jadrian Clark rushed for a late touchdown to give Weber a 14-7 win.
Weber State finished with 520 yards of offense, but had three turnovers in an up-and-down struggle. Wildcats quarterback Jadrian Clark finished with 380 passing yard, going 25-of-35. Clark also rushed for 71 yards, and the go-ahead score.
Sacramento State running back Demetrius Warren rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Eastern Washington 34, Northern Iowa 30 – No Cooper Kupp, no problem for Eastern Washington.
The Eagles were missing the reigning FCS Offensive Player of the Year, EWU found a way to climb to a home victory over a top-ten opponent.
The game featured the usual offensive theatrics from the Eagles, with a mix of trickery. The Eagles scored the go-ahead touchdown on a fake field goal with 43 seconds left, with Beau Byus scoring on a 23-yard pass from Reilly Hennessey.
Eastern Washington scored 28 points, as the Big Sky finished the day at 3-0 over the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Eagles’ defense limited Northern Iowa to just six points in the second half.
Hennessey passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns, replacing Gage Gubrud midway through the game. Eagles receiver Kendrick Bourne caught ten passes for 152 yards and one score.
Cal Poly 38, South Dakota State 31 – Cal Poly scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, picking up an impressive non-conference road win over South Dakota State.
The Mustangs rushed for 440 yards, with fullback Joe Protheroe rushing for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Cal Poly quarterback Dano Graves passed for 161 yards, and a touchdown.
Cal Poly led 17-10 at halftime, with South Dakota State tying the game at 17-17 in the third quarter. From there, the Mustangs’ increasingly mixed offensive attack showcased itself, with Graves finding Kyle Lewis on a 33-yard passing score. Protheroe scored twice in the fourth quarter.
Cal Poly finished the non-conference season with a record of 2-1, with wins over South Dakota State and San Diego. The Mustangs also fell in overtime at FBS Nevada.
North Dakota 47, South Dakota 44 2OT – The North Dakota Fighting Hawks flew to a valuable non-conference victory over South Dakota, on the back of a large second half comeback.
UND running back John Santiago scored the game-winning touchdown on a long run in double-overtime, or so it appeared. After replay, Santiago was ruled down at the one-yard line, with quarterback Keaton Studsrud eventually scoring on a one-yard run.
South Dakota led 34-14 midway through the third quarter, before the Fighting Hawks rallied for a 20-0 run, sending the annual Potato Bowl game to overtime.
It was a game of offense, as North Dakota finished with 391 yards, and South Dakota finished with 403 yards. South Dakota turned the ball over twice, both on pick-six touchdowns by UND defensive backs.
North Dakota running back John Santiago rushed for 140 yards.
Montana State 55, Western Oregon 0 – The Montana State Bobcats’ offense showed its potency in the final non-conference matchup for MSU, picking up a dominating home win over the Western Oregon Wolves.
The Bobcats led just 3-0 after the first quarter, before MSU went on a 24-0 run in the second quarter.
MSU quarterback Tyler Bruggman had an outstanding game, throwing for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Backup quarterback Chris Murray also had significant action, rushing for 33 yards and three scores.
The Bobcats finished with 428 yards of offense, but also had a splendid defensive performance. Montana State held the Wolves to 190 yards, while forcing five turnovers.
Northern Arizona 73, New Mexico Highlands 3 – Northern Arizona quarterback Case Cookus threw for 296 yards and seven touchdowns, as the Lumberjacks prevailed over the Cowboys.
The Lumberjacks gained 686 yards of offense, as wide receiver Emmanuel Butler caught six passes for 99 yards and five touchdowns.
Wyoming 45, UC Davis 22 – The Wyoming Cowboys opened on a 14-0 run, on their way to a 35-9 halftime lead in a routing win over UC Davis.
The Cowboys rushed for 274 yards, with Brian Hill rushing for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen threw for 198 yards and three scores.
UC Davis had a score early in the second quarter, as Keleen Culbertson returned a fumble for 21 yards, cutting the Wyoming lead to 14-9. From there, the Cowboys went on a 21-0 run.
UC Davis quarterback Ben Scott threw for 178 yards, and a touchdown.
Colorado State 47, Northern Colorado 21 – Colorado State led 38-0 at halftime, on the way to a commanding win over Northern Colorado.
Rams quarterback Collin Hill completed 21-of-27 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns, and Colorado State rushed for 245 yards.
Northern Colorado quarterback Kyle Sloter threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns. Bears running back Trae Riek rushed for 87 yards.
Oregon State 37, Idaho State 7 – Oregon State forced five Idaho State turnovers, on the way to a controlling Beavers’ win over the Bengals.
The Beavers led 23-0 at halftime, as no team scored in the fourth quarter. Idaho State’s score came off a 75-yard Jakori Ford touchdown run.
Washington 41, Portland State 3 – The Washington Huskies scored two touchdowns within the first three minutes of the game, controlling from start-to-finish in a home win over Portland State.
The Huskies limited Portland State to 182 yards of offense. Portland State’s lone score came off a 26-yard field goal by Jonathan Gonzales in the third quarter.