FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 16, 2026) – Big Sky football enters Week 3 with 12 teams in action, highlighted by three matchups against FBS opponents as the league looks to add its third win over a higher subdivision team in 2026. Below are news and notes for Week 3 of the football season.
Big Sky Football Weekly Notebook (Week 3)
MONTANA STATE DOWNS FBS FOE NEVADA
Montana State downed FBS foe Nevada 20-7 in Week 2, leading for nearly 57 minutes of the game. The win for MSU was its second over an FBS foe in the last three years, with its last coming in 2024 against New Mexico, also from the Mountain West.
The win comes on the heels of Idaho State’s 29-17 victory against Pac-12 foe Utah State in Week 1.
Overall, the Big Sky has defeated 12 FBS foes since 2021, which is the most of any FCS conference during that same timespan.
FBS Wins for FCS Conferences Since 2021
Big Sky: 12
CAA, UAC: 6
MVFC: 4
NEC, Patriot: 3
Southland: 2
OVC: 1
NON-CONFERENCE GAMES FOR BIG SKY FOES
New members Southern Utah and Utah Tech will both play Big Sky foes in non-conference action this season, due to previously contracted games dating back to previous years. The final non-conference game between Big Sky foes will kick off in Week 3, as Northern Arizona travels to Utah Tech.
Non-Conference Games Featuring Big Sky Foes
9/5 Weber State at Southern Utah (SUU 47, WSU 42)
9/12 Utah Tech at Montana (UM 35, UTU 14)
9/19 Northern Arizona at Utah Tech
NORTHERN ARIZONA-UTAH TECH FEATURED GAME ON "THIS WEEK IN BIG SKY FOOTBALL"
Northern Arizona and Utah Tech will play for the fourth straight season, once again as non-conference opponents, as the Big Sky foes face off this Saturday in St. George.
The non-conference bout will be the Game of the Week for “This Week in Big Sky Football” which airs each Thursday on @BigSkyConf’s YouTube and every Saturday on Scripps Sports.
BIG SKY PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOREES FOR WEEK 2
Offensive Player of the Week
Eli Gillman, Montana (RB, 5th Year, Dassel, Minn.)
Eli Gillman rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns in the 35-14 non-conference win over Utah Tech, helping Montana improve to 3-0 on the year. Gillman’s final rush of the day was a 75-yard touchdown run, which helped boost his yards per carry average to 8.6 in the victory. Gillman now has 56 career rushing touchdowns, which ties him for the Big Sky record set by Charles Roberts in 2000.
Others Nominated: Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio (ISU), Justin Lamson (MSU), Quran Gossett (NAU), Marcus Mozer (UNC), Gabe Downing (PSU), Floyd Chalk (SUU)
Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Deliyon Freeman, Northern Arizona (DB, R-Jr., Sharpsburg, Ga.)
Deliyon Freeman recorded 13 tackles, including one for loss, and was responsible for two of NAU’s six takeaways in the 38-28 victory over UIW. Freeman forced a fumble and picked off a pass on two key possessions in the second quarter, helping give NAU a 24-7 lead at halftime.
Colter Petre, Montana State (DB, Sr., Helena, Mont.)
Montana State’s Colter Petre, who stepped in for injured Big Sky Defensive MVP Caden Dowler, had 13 tackles and a forced fumble in the 20-7 win over FBS foe Nevada. Petre’s forced fumble came at a crucial moment, preventing a potential Nevada scoring drive late in the fourth quarter after the lead had been cut to 17-7. The win over Nevada was the first for Montana State since 1988, and its second over an FBS foe since 2024.
Others Nominated: Bryce Smith (EWU), Collin Lewis (ISU), Tanner Williams (UM), Ezra Ekuban (UNC), Lono Solomon (PSU), Teni Worthen (WSU)
Special Teams Player of the Week
Everett O’Donnell, Montana (P, Jr., Melbourne, Australia)
Everett O’Donnell helped flip the field for the Grizzlies, pinning Utah Tech inside their own territory with the Trailblazers’ average drive starting at their own 23-yard line in the 35-14 win. O’Donnell boomed seven punts for 299 yards to average nearly 43 yards per attempt with a long of 51 yards and three inside the 20.
Others Nominated: Robert Freeman IV (ISU), Sebastian Miles (NAU), Landon Richardson (UNC), Emiliano Rodriguez (PSU)
MONTANA’S GILLMAN HAS SIGHTS SET ON BIG SKY RUSHING RECORD
Eli Gillman scored three touchdowns in Week 2, giving the Montana standout 56 rushing touchdowns for his career to tie the all-time mark in the Big Sky. Gillman’s 56 career rushing TDs tie him for the Big Sky record set by Charles Roberts in 2000. The Montana back will have a chance to break that record this Saturday against Oregon State.
Most Career Rushing TDs in Big Sky History
T-1. Eli Gillman, UM (2022-26) – 56
T-1. Charles Roberts, SAC (1997-00) – 56
2. Charles Dunn, PSU (1997-00) – 54
T-4. Charvez Foger, NEV (1985-88) – 52
T-4. Chase Reynolds, UM (2007-10) – 52
MSU'S DOWLER BREAKS BIG SKY PUNT RETURN RECORD
Montana State’s Taco Dowler broke the Big Sky record for most punt return yards in a career after his performance in Week 0 for the Bobcats. Dowler surpassed Montana’s Levander Segars who had 1,441 yards on 143 returns. Dowler now sits at 1,543 yards on 115 returns, with the FCS record of 1,668 yards by Hampton’s Marquay McDaniel in sight.
SEVEN TEAMS FEATURED ACROSS TWO NATIONAL POLLS FOR WEEK 3
The Big Sky was well-represented once again in the Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches polls after Week 2, as Montana State was ranked atop both polls following its impressive 20-7 win over Nevada. The Big Sky had five total teams ranked in the Stats Perform Top 25, with Montana State (No. 1), Montana (No. 3), and UC Davis (No. 11) sitting in the Top 15, while Idaho State climbed to No. 16 and was followed by Northern Arizona at No. 20 to round out the Top 25.
FCS Stats Perform Top 25
1. Montana State (3-0, 1-0)
3. Montana (3-0, 1-0)
11. UC Davis (2-1, 1-0)
16. Idaho State (3-0, 0-0)
20. Northern Arizona (2-1, 1-0)
RV: Cal Poly (2-1, 1-0), Southern Utah (1-2, 0-1)
AFCA Coaches Top 25
1. Montana State (3-0, 1-0)
2. Montana (3-0, 1-0)
11. UC Davis (2-1, 1-0)
18. Idaho State (3-0, 0-0)
19. Northern Arizona (2-1, 1-0)
RV: Cal Poly (2-1, 1-0), Southern Utah (1-2, 0-1)
BOBCATS, BIG SKY CONFERENCE LOOKS TO REPEAT AS NATIONAL CHAMPS IN 2026
Montana State will have a tall task in 2026 as the defending national champions will be attempting to accomplish a feat that has never been done by a Big Sky team and that is repeating as a national champion.
Overall, South Dakota State and North Dakota State are the only teams to repeat as champions since 2007. Overall, there have been five schools that have repeated as FCS national champions since 1978. South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, and Youngstown State.
Schools Who Have Won At Least Two-Straight FCS National Titles
South Dakota State (2022-2023)
North Dakota State (2017-2019 & 2011-2015)
Appalachian State (2005-2007)
Georgia Southern (1999-2000, 1989-90, 1985-86)
Youngstown State (1993-1994)
The Big Sky Conference has had seven FCS national champions overall, but only once did the league have a winner in back-to-back seasons, as Boise State and Idaho State marked the first and only time back in 1980 and 1981.
Big Sky FCS National Champions
2025 Montana State (W/35-34 vs. Illinois State)
2010 Eastern Washington (W/20-19 vs. Delaware)
2001 Montana (W/13-6 vs. Furman)
1995 Montana (W/22-20 vs. Marshall)
1984 Montana State (W/19-6 vs. Louisiana Tech)
1981 Idaho State (W/34-23 vs. Eastern Kentucky)
1980 Boise State (W/31-29 vs. Eastern Kentucky)
BIG SKY LANDS 13 PLAYERS ON NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LISTS
The nation’s best players reside in the Big Sky Conference, and that is evident each year with the list of standouts on national award watch lists. The league had eight players make the cut for the Walter Payton Award Watch List, while five were named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.
The Walter Payton Award, affectionately known as the Heisman of the FCS, is named for legendary running back Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State as part of his Hall of Fame career. The Big Sky has won the award 11 times, with the most recent winner being Tommy Mellott of Montana State following the 2024 season.
The Buck Buchanan Award, in its 32nd season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious “Buck” Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. The Big Sky has won the award seven times, with the most recent being Dante Olson of Montana following the 2019 season.
Walter Payton Award Watch List (July 14, 2026)
Keali’I Ah Yat, QB, Montana
Justin Lamson, QB, Montana State
Ty Pennington, QB, Northern Arizona
Dason Brooks, RB, Idaho State
Eli Gillman, RB, Montana
Adam Jones, RB, Montana State
Taco Dowler, WR, Montana State
Samuel Gbatu Jr., WR, UC Davis
Buck Buchanan Award Watch List (July 14, 2026)
Mikey D’Amato, LB, Cal Poly
Peyton Wing, LB, Montana
Rex Connors, DB, UC Davis
Caden Dowler, DB, Montana State
Jaylon Jenkins, DB, Eastern Washington
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league.
2026 Big Sky Football Schedule (Week 3)
Friday, Sept. 18
Portland State at Oregon // 8:30 p.m. MT (BTN)
Saturday, Sept. 19
#RV Southern Utah at St. Thomas // 12:00 p.m. MT (Midco Sports)
Central Connecticut State at #1 Montana State // 1:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+/Scripps)
Abilene Christian at Idaho // 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+/SWX)
Eastern Washington at Washington // 5:15 p.m. MT (BTN)
San Diego at #RV Cal Poly // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northeastern State at Northern Colorado // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Northwestern State at Weber State // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
#20 Northern Arizona at Utah Tech% // 6:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Stetson at #11 UC Davis // 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+/KMAX)
#3 Montana at Oregon State // 9:00 p.m. MT (USA)
All Times Mountain
% - Non-Conf. Game vs. Big Sky Team
FCS Rankings: Stats Perform FCS