FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 29, 2023) — No. 9 Idaho topped No. 2 Montana State 24-21 on Saturday, leaving the Big Sky football standings murky as we head into November. Below is a recap of Week 9 action around the Big Sky.
Trailing 21-17 with under three minutes to play, Idaho's Gevani McCoy marched the Vandals down the field for a go-ahead score with 2:47 remaining as the sophomore quarterback thread the needle to find Hayden Hatten for a 12-yard score.
Montana State put itself in position for a 43-yard field goal attempt to tie the game on the ensuing drive, but the attempt sailed wide right as the Vandals closed out the 24-21 win in the victory formation.
The Vandal win leaves the top of the Big Sky standings in a three-way tie for first place, as Idaho, Montana State and Montana all sit at 4-1 in league play with only three games to play in the season.
Speaking of Montana, the Grizzlies won their fourth straight game of the season following a 40-0 victory over visiting Northern Colorado.
Not only did the Griz defense pitch a shutout, but they also scored two defensive scores and held UNC to just 94 total yards in the 40-0 victory.
The win was also head coach Bobby Hauck's 123 career victory while at Montana, which moves him into a tie with Jerome Souers (NAU, 1998-2018) for winningest coach in Big Sky history.
Elsewhere in the Big Sky, Northern Arizona picked up its third win of the season which was also its third ranked victory of the year, as the Lumberjacks topped No. 25 UC Davis 38-21 at home.
In rivalry action, Portland State retained the Dam Cup thanks to Jobi Malary scoring six rushing touchdowns in the 47-35 win over Eastern Washington.
Sacramento State closed out Saturday night by scoring the final 37 points in its 51-16 win over Idaho State, as the Hornets bounced back into the win column.
Sacramento State will travel to Montana next Saturday, setting up the fourth-straight week in the Big Sky with a Top-10 showdown.
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Big Sky Football Week 9 Scores
Saturday, Oct. 28
FCS Rankings: Stats Perform/AFCA
#7/5 Montana 40, Northern Colorado 0
Read Full Montana Recap
#9/8 Idaho 24, #2/2 Montana State 21
Read Full Idaho Recap
Northern Arizona 38, #25/25 UC Davis 21
Read Full NAU Recap
Portland State 47, #RV/NR Eastern Washington 35
Read Full Portland State Recap
#6/7 Sacramento State 51, Idaho State 16
Read Full Sac State Recap