FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 3, 2025) – All 12 teams will be in action this weekend, as Montana State's Top 3 showdown against South Dakota State highlights the Week 2 slate. Below are news and notes for Week 2 of the football season.
Big Sky Football Weekly Notebook (Week 2)
Montana State-South Dakota State Featured Game on “This Week in Big Sky Football”
The Top 3 showdown in Bozeman between No. 3 Montana State and No. 2 South Dakota State will be the featured game on “This Week in Big Sky Football” as the game will have major playoff implications for the 2025 season.
The Bobcats and Jackrabbits have only faced off seven times since 2004, with SDSU leading those matchups 6-1. The last and only win during that span for MSU came in the 2021 FCS Playoffs, where the Bobcats won 31-17 at home, leading to a run to the National Championship Game later that season.
MSU Series History vs. SDSU Since 2004
2023: SDSU 20, MSU 16 (Brookings, SD)
2022: SDSU 39, MSU 18 (Brookings, SD)*
2021: MSU 31, SDSU 17 (Bozeman, MT)*
2018: SDSU 45, MSU 14 (Brookings, SD)
2017: SDSU 31, MSU 27 (Bozeman, MT)
2014: SDSU 47, MSU 40 (Bozeman, MT)*
2004: SDSU 27, MSU 24 (Bozeman, MT)
* - FCS Playoff Game
The last regular-season non-conference FCS loss for SDSU came all the way back on Sept. 17, 2016, with Cal Poly downing the Jackrabbits in Brookings, 38-31.
Familiar Faces, New Teams Face Off in ABQ
Idaho State will face off against former Idaho head coach Jason Eck this Saturday, as the Bengals take on Eck’s new team, New Mexico.
ISU has never defeated New Mexico in the three meetings between the two programs, with the last meeting coming in 1998. Montana State topped the Lobos 35-31 to open the 2024 season, while Portland State knocked off UNM to open the 2006 season, 17-6.
Overall, six of the Big Sky’s 10 FBS upsets since 2021 have come against Mountain West teams.
Big Sky Poised to Add More FBS Upsets in 2025
The Big Sky will face seven FBS foes in Week 2, with another chance to add to its growing total of upsets over the past few years. Since 2021, Big Sky teams have earned 10 upsets over FBS foes, which is the most of any other FCS conference during that same timespan.
Week 2 vs. FBS Games
Eastern Washington at Boise State
Idaho State at New Mexico
Sacramento State at Nevada
Cal Poly at Utah
Northern Colorado at Colorado State
Weber State at Arizona
UC Davis at Washington
Big Sky Wins Over FBS Foes Since 2021
2024
Idaho 17, Wyoming 13 (Mountain West)
Montana State 35, New Mexico 31 (Mountain West)
2023
Sacramento State 30, Stanford 23 (Pac-12)
Idaho 33, Nevada 6 (Mountain West)
2022
Sacramento State 41, Colorado State 10 (Mountain West)
Weber State 35, Utah State 7 (Mountain West)
2021
Northern Arizona 21, Arizona 19 (Pac-12)
Montana 13, #20 Washington 7 (Pac-12)
UC Davis 19, Tulsa 17 (American)
Eastern Washington 35, UNLV 33 (Mountain West)
Big Sky Present vs. Big Sky Future
Effective July 1, 2026, Southern Utah and Utah Tech will join the league as full members and compete in the Big Sky starting with the 2026-27 academic year, the conference office announced this past June.
Overall, both Southern Utah and Utah Tech will face three Big Sky foes each during the 2025 regular season, as the two gear up to join the league in 2026.
Southern Utah vs. Big Sky Foes in 2025
8/30: vs. Idaho State (W/46-24)
9/13: vs. Northern Arizona
9/20: at UC Davis
Utah Tech vs. Big Sky Foes in 2025
8/30: vs. UC Davis (L/24-31)
9/6: at Northern Arizona
9/13: at Idaho
Big Sky Football Players of the Week (Sept. 1, 2025)
Offensive Player of the Week: Ty Dieffenbach, Cal Poly (QB, R-So., Calabasas, Calif.)
In his Mustang debut, Ty Dieffenbach led Cal Poly to a 41-17 win over San Diego to open the 2025 season. The redshirt sophomore transfer quarterback was 18-27 for 263 yards and two passing touchdowns, while adding 69 yards on the ground and another score to finish his day with 300-plus yards of offense. The weekly honor for Dieffenbach is the first of his career.
Defensive Player of the Week: Rex Connors, UC Davis (DB, Sr., Pleasant Grove, Utah)
Big Sky Preseason MVP Rex Connors officially opened his season with another big performance, as he led UC Davis to a 31-24 comeback win over Utah Tech. The senior racked up 15 tackles, with eight being solos, and one pass breakup. Connors called all the defensive plays on the night, as he aided in stopping the Utah Tech offense in five consecutive drives to close out the comeback win. The weekly honor is the first for Connors since winning it twice in 2022. With the 15 tackles, Connors now sits 12 tackles away from hitting a mark of 291 career tackles which will set the career program record for total tackles.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Landon Ogles, Eastern Washington (P, Sr., San Diego, Calif.)
Eastern Washington's Landon Ogles booted seven punts for an average of 42.3 on the day against Incarnate Word, with only two of his punts returned for the game. Ogles recorded a career-long 72-yard punt, which was one of three punts that traveled over 50 yards on the day. The weekly honor for Ogles was the first of his career.
Others Nominated for Big Sky Football Player of the Week
Offense: Marceese Yetts (EWU), Jordan Cooke (ISU), Kolbe Katsis (NAU), Peter Costelli (UNC)
Defense: Mikey D'Amato (Cal Poly), Drew Carter (EWU), Isiah King (UI), Mason Young (ISU), Ramere Davis (NAU), Darrell Bryant Jr. (UNC), Isaiah Green (PSU), Derek Houston (SAC)
Special Teams: LJ Harm (UI), Gabriel Russo (ISU), Samuel Hunsaker (NAU), Jacob Willig (UNC), Cal McGough (SAC), Sloan Calder (WSU)
UC Davis Freshman Pinnick Wins National Honors
UC Davis Quarterback Caden Pinnick was named the Stats Perform National Freshman Player of the Week following his outstanding play in the Week 1 win over Utah Tech. Pinnick went 21-for-31 on Saturday, finishing with 253 total passing yards, three passing touchdowns and 14 yards rushing. His long of the game was a 60-yard go ahead touchdown toss to Samuel Gbatu Jr., the third passing touchdown of the second half for the Aggie quarterback.
The Aggies needed Pinnick to step up big to help lead them to victory on Saturday and he did, throwing for 159 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. His confident running of the offense led to four-straight scoring drives leading to 24 unanswered points scored by the Aggies to come away with the win.
Pinnick becomes the first Aggie to earn Stats Perform FCS National Freshman of the Week honors since Nick Eaton got the nod during the 2019 season.
Six Big Sky Teams Ranked in FCS Top 25 Polls
Half of the Big Sky is currently ranked in FCS Top 25 polls, which is becoming common place with each passing year. Montana State, Montana, UC Davis, Idaho, Sacramento State, and Northern Arizona have all been tabbed in multiple Top 25 polls for the 2025 season. Additionally, four other teams are receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches poll, with Northern Colorado, Cal Poly, Eastern Washington and Idaho State all earning consideration.
Stats Perform FCS Top 25 (Big Sky Teams)
No. 3: Montana State
No. 6: Montana
No. 8: UC Davis
No. 10: Idaho
No. 18: Sacramento State
No. 19: Northern Arizona
AFCA FCS Top 25 (Big Sky Teams)
No. T3: Montana State
No. 5: UC Davis
No. 10: Montana
No. 11: Idaho
No. 16: Sacramento State
No. 19: Northern Arizona
RV: Northern Colorado, Cal Poly, Eastern Washington, Idaho State
Six Big Sky Standouts Named to Preseason Award Watchlists
Six Big Sky standouts were named to the preseason watchlists for the Walter Payton Award and Buck Buchanan Award, as the league garners more national recognitions.
2025 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List
Big Sky honors only // Full List Here
RB – Adam Jones, Montana State
RB – Eli Gillman, Montana
RB – Jamar Curtis, Sacramento State
2025 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List
Big Sky honors only // Full List Here
DL – Paul Brott, Montana State
LB – Peyton Wing, Montana
DB – Rex Connors, UC Davis
Montana State Picked by Coaches and Media to Win Big Sky
Defending Big Sky champion Montana State was picked by coaches and media to win the league once again, as the Bobcats were voted first in both preseason polls. The Bobcats, who received 30 first-place votes from the media and seven from the league's head coaches, won the Big Sky title last season after a perfect 8-0 mark in conference play. Big Sky Freshman of the Year Adam Jones leads a Bobcat roster that looks to win its third conference title since 2022.
Preseason Media Poll
1. Montana State (30) - 488
2. Montana (6) - 434
3. UC Davis (4) - 399
4. Idaho (1) - 364
5. Northern Arizona - 354
6. Sacramento State (1) - 282
7. Idaho State - 247
8. Eastern Washington - 225
9. Weber State - 192
10. Portland State - 140
11. Cal Poly - 94
12. Northern Colorado - 57
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Montana State (7) - 117
2. UC Davis (1) - 100
3. Montana (2) - 96
4. Northern Arizona (1) - 94
5. Idaho - 81
6. Sacramento State (1) - 73
7. Idaho State - 56
8. Weber State - 55
9. Eastern Washington - 48
10. Portland State - 32
11. Cal Poly - 25
12. Northern Colorado - 15
Over 20 Former Big Sky Players Make 53-Man NFL Roster
With the 2025 NFL season starting this week there are over 20 players who finished their collegiate playing careers in the Big Sky that are currently on NFL rosters. The New England Patriots are Big Sky East, with the club sport five former Big Sky players on their roster heading into the 2025 season.
Montana State and Idaho are tied for the most former players on NFL rosters with four each. Eastern Washington, Sacramento State, UC Davis, and Weber State are not far behind with three each on NFL rosters.
Big Sky in the NFL (as of Aug. 27, 2025)
Atlanta Falcons: Troy Andersen, LB (Montana State), Kaden Elliss, LB (Idaho)
Baltimore Ravens: Teddye Buchanan*, LB (UC Davis)
Buffalo Bills: Taron Johnson, DB (Weber State)
Chicago Bears: Daniel Hardy, DL (Montana State), Braxton Jones, OL (Southern Utah)
Cleveland Browns: DeAndre Carter, WR (Sac State), Winston Reid, DL (Weber State)
Denver Broncos: Alex Singleton, LB (Montana State)
Detroit Lions: Khalil Dorsey, DB (Northern Arizona), Hogan Hatten, LS (Idaho)
Green Bay Packers: Daniel Whelan, P (UC Davis)
Indianapolis Colts: Samson Ebukam, DL (EWU)
Las Vegas Raiders: Jacob Bobenmoyer, LS (UNC)
Miami Dolphins: Tanner Conner, TE (Idaho State)
New England Patriots: Christian Elliss, LB (Idaho), Marte Mapu, LB (Sac State), Efton Chism III, WR (EWU), Elijah Ponder, DL (Cal Poly), Lan Larison, RB (UC Davis)
New Orleans Saints: Rashid Shaheed, WR (Weber State)
Pittsburgh Steelers: Miles Killebrew, DB (Southern Utah)
Seattle Seahawks: Cooper Kupp, WR (EWU), Ty Okada, DB (Montana State)
Tennessee Titans: Jackson Slater, OL (Sac State), Marcus Harris*, DB (Idaho)
* - earned a degree from a Big Sky school, but finished career elsewhere
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated to stay connected.
Upcoming Big Sky Football Games (Week 2)
Friday, Sept. 5
NR/RV Eastern Washington at Boise State // FS1 // 7:00 p.m. MT
Saturday, Sept. 6
NR/RV Idaho State at New Mexico // MW Network // 1:00 p.m. MT
St. Thomas at #10/11 Idaho // ESPN+ & SWX // 2:00 p.m. MT
Utah Tech at #19/19 Northern Arizona // ESPN+ & SWX // 3:00 p.m. MT
#18/16 Sac State at Nevada // MW Network // 3:00 p.m. MT
NR/RV Cal Poly at Utah // ESPN+ // 4:00 p.m. MT
Portland State at #20/22 North Dakota // ESPN+ // 5:00 p.m. MT
Central Washington at #6/10 Montana // ESPN+ & Scripps Sports // 6:00 p.m. MT
#2/2 South Dakota State at #3/t3 Montana State // ESPN+ & Scripps Sports // 6:00 p.m. MT
Weber State at Arizona // ESPN+ // 8:00 p.m. MT
#8/5 UC Davis at Washington // Big Ten Network // 9:00 p.m. MT
FCS Rankings: Stats Perform FCS/AFCA Coaches Poll