FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 11, 2026) – A pair of Top 25 showdowns highlight Week 11 of Big Sky football, as No. 21 Idaho State travels to No. 12 Montana for a nationally televised ESPN2 clash, while No. 18 Weber State visits No. 5 Northern Arizona in another ranked battle in Flagstaff. Below are news and notes for Week 11 of the football season.
Big Sky Football Weekly Notebook (Week 11)
BIG SKY FOOTBALL BACK ON ESPN2 IN WEEK 11
No. 21 Idaho State travels to No. 12 Montana this Saturday, as the Big Sky After Dark clash in Missoula will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
Montana leads Idaho State 49-13 in the all-time series that dates back to 1921. The Griz are 34-3 in games played in Missoula and have never lost to Idaho State inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium at 19-0, dating to that first game in 1986.
The home team has won all four ESPN linear games so far this season.
Big Sky ESPN Linear Games for 2026
8/28: Idaho at Cal Poly (38-34 CP) - 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN)
9/26: NAU at Montana State (28-14 MSU) - 8:30 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
10/2: Montana State at Idaho (35-34 UI) - 8:30 p.m. MT (ESPN)
10/3: EWU at UC Davis (49-38 UCD) - 8:30 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
11/14: Idaho State at Montana - 8:30 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
TOP 25 SHOWDOWN IN FLAGSTAFF
In addition to the Big Sky After Dark battle in Missoula, the Big Sky will have its ninth Top 25 game of the season in Flagstaff as No. 18 Weber State faces No. 5 Northern Arizona.
NAU and Weber State have split the previous four meetings for the Red Rock Rivalry Trophy since it was created in 2022. The teams are tied 29-29 all-time and have split the last 10 games.
The Top 25 showdown will serve as the Game of the Week for “This Week in Big Sky Football” which airs each Thursday on @BigSkyConf’s YouTube and every Saturday on select Scripps Sports stations. Click here to watch the Week 11 show.
Top 25 Ranked Big Sky Matchups in 2026
Sept. 26: #5 Montana 62, #10 UC Davis 22
Sept. 26: #1 Montana State 28, #18 NAU 14
Oct. 3: #19 NAU 38, #12 Idaho State 31
Oct. 10: #13 NAU 49, #2 Montana 44
Oct. 24: #3 Montana State 38, #22 Weber State 33
Oct. 31: #22 Weber State 38, #20 UC Davis 14
Nov. 7: #3 Montana State 28, #22 Idaho State 26
Nov. 14: #18 Weber State at #5 NAU
Nov. 14: #21 Idaho State at #12 Montana
EXCITING BRAND OF FOOTBALL
The Big Sky leads all 11 AQ FCS conferences this season with the most league games decided by 7 points or less, as 21 of 46 conference games (45.7%) have come down to the wire.
Games Decided by 7pts or Less by Conference
Conference: Games // 7pts or Less Games // Massey SOS*
Big Sky: 46 // 21 (45.7%) // 17.00
CAA: 40 // 18 (45.0%) // 76.85
SLC: 35 // 12 (34.3%) // 49.80
Patriot: 34 // 12 (35.3%) // 68.70
SoCon: 32 // 11 (34.4%) // 44.50
Ivy: 20 // 10 (50.0%) // 71.75
NEC: 20 // 10 (50.0%) // 94.13
UAC: 20 // 8 (40.0%) // 31.13
MVFC: 28 // 8 (28.6%) // 9.33
Pioneer: 34 // 8 (23.5%) // 119.0
OVC: 20 // 5 (25.0%) // 40.38
* SOS is average SOS for conference teams via Massey Ratings
BIG SKY TEAMS DOMINATE FCS TEAM OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
The Big Sky features some of the best offenses in the nation, with eight of the Top 25 for total yards per game in the FCS hailing from the league. The CAA, MVFC, and SWAC are tied with the second most at three teams apiece.
Big Sky Top Offenses
School (FCS Rank) // YPG
1. Montana (2nd) // 503.7
2. Montana State (12th) // 442.1
3. Idaho (13th) // 437.6
4. Weber State (15th) // 434.3
5. Southern Utah (16th) // 431.6
6. UC Davis (22nd) // 418.6
7. Idaho State (24th) // 408.7
8. Northern Arizona (25th) // 406.0
ELI GILLMAN BREAKS COOPER KUPP'S ALL-TIME TD RECORD
Eli Gillman made Big Sky history in Week 10, as the Grizzly running back officially surpassed NFL All-Pro Cooper Kupp’s decade-old conference career scoring record. Gillman rushed for 196 yards and four touchdowns, including an 84-yard scoring run that broke the record in the third quarter. Gillman now owns Big Sky career records in most touchdowns (78), most points scored (468), and rushing touchdowns (68).
Most Career Rushing TDs in Big Sky History
1. Eli Gillman, UM (2022-26) – 68
2. Charles Roberts, SAC (1997-00) – 56
3. Charles Dunn, PSU (1997-00) – 54
T-4. Charvez Foger, NEV (1985-88) – 52
T-4. Chase Reynolds, UM (2007-10) – 52
Most Career Total TDs in Big Sky History
1. Eli Gillman, UM (2022-26) – 78
2. Cooper Kupp, EWU (2013-16) – 77
T3. Charles Dunn, PSU (1997-00) – 61
T3. Sherriden May, UI (1991-94) – 61
BIG SKY PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOREES FOR WEEK 10
Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Eli Gillman, Montana (RB, 5th Year, Dassel, Minn.)
Eli Gillman rushed for 196 yards and four touchdowns on just eight carries in Montana’s 57-24 win over Portland State on Saturday. Averaging 24.5 yards per carry, Gillman scored on runs of 45, 15, 43, and 84 yards, with his final touchdown breaking Cooper Kupp’s decade-old Big Sky career scoring record. Gillman now owns the conference’s all-time scoring mark with 78 career touchdowns. He also added a 48-yard reception to finish with 244 yards from scrimmage on just nine touches.
Joshua Wood, Idaho (QB, Sr., Graham, Wash.)
Joshua Wood accounted for 422 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in Idaho’s 62-31 victory over Eastern Washington on Saturday. The quarterback completed 20 of 29 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while adding 107 rushing yards and two scores on 12 carries. Wood had already accounted for 336 yards of total offense and five touchdowns by halftime, helping the Vandals score their most points ever against Eastern Washington. Idaho finished with 650 yards of total offense, its highest single-game total since 2019.
Others Nominated: Tommy Poe (ISU), Terence Loville (PSU), Will Burns (SUU), Jordan Fisher (UCD)
Defensive Player of the Week
Seth Brock, Montana State (DL, Jr., Meridian, Idaho)
Seth Brock recorded five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception in Montana State’s 28-26 triple-overtime road victory over No. 22 Idaho State on Saturday. The defensive end delivered two crucial takeaways, starting with a strip-sack and fumble recovery in the red zone on Idaho State’s opening possession to keep the Bengals off the scoreboard. Brock followed that up with his first career interception in the second quarter to halt another Idaho State drive with the Bengals leading 10-7 before halftime. His sack was the fifth of the season, tying him for the team lead as the Bobcats improved to 9-1 on the year.
Others Nominated: Jackson Irwin (ISU), Tanner Huff (UM), Devin Murphy (NAU), Jaxton Helmstetler (PSU), Parker Vance (SUU), Trent Carrade (UCD), Luke Hansen (UTU)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Myles Sansted, Montana State (K, 5th Year, Alexandria, Minn.)
Myles Sansted connected on all four field-goal attempts and both extra-point attempts in Montana State’s 28-26 triple-overtime road victory over No. 22 Idaho State on Saturday. Sansted made field goals of 30 and 27 yards in the third quarter which tied the score then pushed MSU ahead, then converted field goals of 28 and 43 yards in the first two overtimes to help Montana State extend the game into the third extra period. The two field goals moves Sansted to within three of second place on MSU’s all-time list, and his 328 career points is 29 from matching the school’s career record.
Others Nominated: Mason Lindberg (ISU), Ian Finch (UM), Luke Edgecomb (NAU), Emiliano Rodriguez (PSU), Sam Goligoski (UCD)
2027 BIG SKY FOOTBALL SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED
The Big Sky Conference announced its 2027 football schedule last month, featuring 58 league games highlighted by marquee matchups, longstanding rivalries, and several clashes between programs currently ranked in the Top 25. For the full release and 2027 schedule, click here.
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, YouTube, and TikTok for all the latest news around the league.
2026 Big Sky Football Schedule (Week 11)
Friday, Nov. 13
Southern Utah at Portland State* // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+/RCSN)
Saturday, Nov. 14
#2 Montana State at Northern Colorado* // 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+/Scripps)
Eastern Washington at Utah Tech* // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
#23 UC Davis at #RV Idaho* // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+/SWX)
#18 Weber State at #5 Northern Arizona* // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
#21 Idaho State at #12 Montana* // 8:30 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
All Times Mountain
* - Big Sky Conference Game
FCS Rankings: Stats Perform FCS