FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 4, 2022) - Week 1 in Big Sky football saw a lot of points and new faces, as six league teams scored 34 or more points in their season openers. Below is a recap of each game from this past week.
Weber State 41, Western Oregon 5
Weber State Recap
OGDEN (Sept. 1, 2022) – A rare 41-5 result occurred between Weber State and Western Oregon, as the Wildcats opened the year with a home victory. Weber State held Western Oregon to -34 rushing yards, which marked the lowest total allowed in school history for the Wildcats. Offensively, the Wildcats had five rushing touchdowns as a team, as Kris Jackson led the way with a pair.
Arizona State 40, Northern Arizona 3
NAU Recap
TEMPE, Arizona (Sept. 1, 2022) – A year removed from upsetting Arizona and shocking the college football world, Northern Arizona couldn't replicate the feat against Arizona State as the Lumberjacks dropped a 40-3 result to the Sun Devils in Tempe. NAU was held to just 120 yards of offense on Thursday night, but its defense did force four field goals from Arizona State's offense.
San Jose State 21, Portland State 17
PSU Recap
SAN JOSE, California (Sept. 1, 2022) – Portland State's upset bid at San Jose State came up just short, as the Mountain West foe needed a go-ahead score with 1:11 left to hold off the Vikings. Portland State outgained San Jose State 395-288 on Thursday night, while holding the Spartans to just 66 yards in the second half. New starting quarterback Dante Chachere finished with 270 yards passing and a pair of scores as the sophomore looks to be an offensive problem for Big Sky defenses in 2022.
Fresno State 35, Cal Poly 7
Cal Poly Recap
FRESNO, California (Sept. 1, 2022) – Fresno State scored on its first three possessions for a 21-0 lead and went on to beat Cal Poly 35-7 to open the 2022 season. Cal Poly scored a touchdown early in the second period and produced three drives of 70 or more yards the rest of the way, but was held out of the end zone each time. Cal Poly freshman quarterback Jaden Jones completed 20 of 38 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown to lead the Mustangs.
Montana 47, Northwestern State 0
Montana Recap
MISSOULA (Sept. 3, 2022) – Preseason favorite Montana looked impressive in its season opener, as the Grizzlies rolled over Northwestern State 47-0 at home. New starting quarterback Lucas Johnson passed for 208 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 76 yards on the ground to lead Montana's offense. On defense, the Griz forced five turnovers and held Northwestern State to 36 yards rushing. The victory also marked Montana's 19th consecutive win in a home opener.
Cal 34, UC Davis 13
UC Davis Recap
BERKELEY, California (Sept. 3, 2022) – Big Sky Preseason Offensive MVP Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. broke the UC Davis all-purpose yards career record and the Aggies raced out to a strong start but fell in their season opener at Cal, 34-13. The first quarter was all Aggies as the Golden Bears were held to -1 total yards as UC Davis held the ball for over 10 minutes in the frame. Despite owning a 7-0 lead after the first quarter, the Aggies were outscored 17-0 in the second frame as Cal pulled away for the 34-13 victory.
Eastern Washington 36, Tennessee State 29
EWU Recap
CHENEY (Sept. 3, 2022) – Redshirt senior Gunner Talkington matched his career touchdown total in just one game on Saturday, as the new Eastern Washington quarterback threw for 348 yards and five scores to lead the Eagles to a 36-29 win over Tennessee State. The game, which featured a 55-minute lightning delay, was tied 29-29 late before Talkington found Efton Chism III for a go-ahead score with 2:39 left to play. Tennessee State threatened into EWU's territory the following drive, before Tre Weed sealed the win with an interception with just 43 seconds left on the clock.
Houston Baptist 46, Northern Colorado 34
UNC Recap
GREELEY (Sept. 3, 2022) – Northern Colorado fell in a high-scoring affair to Houston Baptist, as the Bears dropped a 46-34 result to the Huskies. UNC trailed by as much as 19 points into the fourth quarter, but never gave up and found themselves with a chance for a game-winning drive late. Quarterback Jacob Sirmon came off the bench to pass for 249 yards on Saturday, with 226 yards alone coming in UNC's 20-point fourth quarter flurry.
Montana State 40, McNeese State 17
MSU Recap
BOZEMAN (Sept. 3, 2022) – Montana State won its annual Gold Rush game as the Bobcats raced past visiting McNeese State, 40-17. Montana State rushed for 359 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, as Lane Sumner stepped into the starting running back role and rushed for 176 yards on the ground. Tommy Mellott also completed 11 of his 19 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns to lead the offensive attack.
Washington State 24, Idaho 17
Idaho Recap
PULLMAN, Washington (Sept. 3, 2022) – The Idaho Vandal football team battled to the final whistle but fell to Washington State 24-17 in the first game of the Jason Eck era. The Vandals, who led 10-0 after the first quarter, had a chance to tie the game late but were intercepted at the goal line with 12 seconds left to end the upset bid. Gevani McCoy finished the game 21-of-32 with 212 passing yards and a score, while Fa'avae Fa'avae led the defense with 11 total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
Sacramento State 56, Utah Tech 33
Sac State Recap
SACRAMENTO (Sept. 3, 2022) – The defending Big Sky Champions opened the year with a 56-33 victory at home over Utah Tech, as Sacramento State earned its ninth straight regular-season win. Sacramento State never trailed in the contest and amassed 589 yards of offense while also forcing three interceptions. The Hornet's 378 rushing yards were the third most in school history and the most in the first game of the year for Sacramento State.
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