FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 5, 2021) - The Big Sky Conference did not disappoint on the national stage this week, as football teams scored three FBS wins to dominate headlines over the weekend.
The biggest of those wins came in Seattle, as Montana knocked off No. 20 Washington to shock the college football world. The victory for Montana was its first over Washington since 1920. Eastern Washington outmanned UNLV in double overtime, while UC Davis defeated Tulsa to give the Big Sky three FBS wins for the week.
The three FBS wins in one weekend are the most for any FCS conference since the CAA achieved the feat in 2009. The ranked FBS victory however is the sixth overall for the FCS and second for the Big Sky as a league, with the last coming in 2013.
Below is a recap of each game from this past week.
UC Davis 19, Tulsa 17
UC Davis Recap
TULSA, Oklahoma (Sept. 2, 2021) - Junior quarterback Hunter Rodrigues completed 28 of 35 passes for a career-high 311 yards, while senior wideout Jared Harrell hauled in eight passes for a career-best 136 yards, leading to UC Davis downing FBS foe Tulsa, 19-17, on the road. The Aggies open the 2021 season with a 1-0 record and their first win over an FBS program since their 44-38 victory at San Jose State to open the 2018 season.
Utah 40, Weber State 17
Weber State Recap
SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 2, 2021) - After an opening field goal by Utah, senior Rashid Shaheed made history with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that gave the Wildcats a 7-3 lead. It was Shaheed's sixth career kickoff return for a touchdown, which is a new Big Sky record and ties the FCS career record. Utah recaptured the lead and pulled away however after an hour and a half lightning delay.
Sam Houston 42, NAU 16
NAU Recap
FLAGSTAFF, Arizona (Sept. 2, 2021) - Northern Arizona hung tough with the defending FCS National Champions for two and a half quarters, but the Lumberjacks ultimately fell to No. 1 Sam Houston, 42-16, in their season opener Thursday night in the Walkup Skydome.
Eastern Washington 35, UNLV 33 (2OT)
EWU Recap
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 2, 2021) - Eastern Washington defeated UNLV 35-33 in double overtime, as the Eagles earned their 11th win over an FBS opponent and the first since downing Washington State 45-42 in 2016. Big Sky Preseason MVP Eric Barriere accounted for 374 yards of total offense and threw three touchdowns to lead the Eagles over the Rebels.
Arizona State 41, Southern Utah 14
SUU Recap
TEMPE, Arizona (Sept. 2, 2021) - Southern Utah played its second FBS foe in five days, as the Thunderbirds fell to Arizona State 41-14 on Thursday night. All-American La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis posted a career-high 15 tackles to lead the defense against the Sun Devils.
Colorado 35, Northern Colorado 7
UNC Recap
BOULDER, Colorado (Sept. 3, 2021) - Northern Colorado finally made their return to the field, as the Bears dropped a 35-7 contest at FBS foe Colorado. Quarterback Dylan McCaffrey passed for 236 yards and a touchdown in his first game as a Bear, while Ed McCaffrey made his UNC head coaching debut.
North Dakota 35, Idaho State 14
ISU Recap
POCATELLO, Idaho (Sept. 4, 2021) - Idaho State fell to North Dakota at home to open the season, as the Bengals dropped a 35-14 decision. Tyler Vander Waal threw for 229 yards passing, with his lone TD pass going to Tanner Conner who finished the game 54 yards and three catches.
Idaho 68, Simon Fraser 0
Idaho Recap
MOSCOW, Idaho (Sept. 4, 2021) - Idaho was too much for visiting Simon Fraser as the Vandals won 68-0. The shutout is the first for the Vandals since 2010, while the 68 points were the most since the 1994 season. The 68-point margin of victory is the second-largest ever by the Vandals, trailing only Idaho's 83-0 win over the College of Idaho, in 1923.
Cal Poly 28, San Diego 17
Cal Poly Recap
SAN DIEGO (Sept. 4, 2021) - The Mustangs earned their first win under head coach Beau Baldwin as Cal Poly defeated San Diego, 28-17. Quarterback Spencer Brasch passed for 318 yards and two scores to give Cal Poly its first victory overall since Nov. 23, 2019.
Wyoming 19, Montana State 16
MSU Recap
LARAMIE, Wyoming (Sept. 4, 2021) - Montana State held a lead for a majority of its 2021 debut, but FBS foe Wyoming capitalized late scoring on its final three drives to fend off the Bobcats for a 19-16 victory at War-Memorial Stadium. Running back Isaiah Ifanse led the Bobcats with 103 yards on the ground, while Troy Andersen earned a team-high 11 tackles.
Montana 13, Washington 7
Montana Recap
SEATTLE (Sept. 4, 2021) - Montana upset No. 20 Washington on the road, as the Grizzlies came away with the 13-7 victory. The Montana defense picked off UW three times, with Gavin Robertson earning two of those and Marcus Welnel getting the game-sealing interception late in the fourth. Quarterback Cam Humphrey finished the game with 105 yards passing and scored the go-ahead touchdown as he improved to 6-0 as a UM starter.
Sacramento State 19, Dixie State 7
Sac State Recap
ST. GEORGE, Utah (Sept. 4, 2021) - Sacramento State never trailed in a season-opening 19-7 win at Dixie State, as the Hornets controlled the ball with over 15 minutes more possession time than the Trailblazers, and also outgained DSU, 401-213. Quarterback Asher O'Hara finished with 119 yards passing and two touchdowns in his first game with the Hornets.
Hawaii 49, Portland State 35
PSU Recap
MANOA, Hawaii (Sept. 4, 2021) - Despite falling behind 28-0 to start the game, Portland State outscored Hawaii 35-21 the rest of the way as the Vikings dropped their season opener to the Rainbow Warriors. Davis Alexander finished the game with 400 yards passing and three touchdown tosses.
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