Big Sky Now

Montana gets back in the win column, Montana State hangs 61 on Cal Poly, and Idaho finally wins one without giving its fans a heart attack. Big Sky Now recaps all of Week 9 and previews Week 10.

Hosted by Luke Schmit with Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor, Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen, Columbia Basin Herald sports reporter Mike Maynard, and Coeur d’Alene Press sports editor Mark Nelke.

Montana beat Eastern Washington 42-33 on the red turf after the bye week, with the defense piling up 11 sacks and getting several players back from injury. Eastern’s offensive line and run defense came under the microscope as the Eagles slid to the bottom of the standings. Idaho State survived Utah Tech 34-27 behind two defensive touchdowns. Montana State routed Cal Poly 61-7, leading 41-0 early in the second quarter. Northern Arizona beat Southern Utah 34-27 to keep the Grand Canyon rivalry trophy and stay tied atop the standings. Idaho handled Portland State 38-14, and Weber State took down ranked UC Davis 38-14.

Week 10 sends Montana State to Pocatello. Can Idaho State’s defense and big-play offense pull the upset? Is anything short of a blowout a disappointment for Montana against Portland State in Missoula? Is Eastern Washington a sneaky trap game for Idaho in the Kibbie Dome, or can the Eagles finally finish a close one? Will Cal Poly catch Northern Arizona looking ahead, and can Southern Utah finally close out a tight game against Northern Colorado? Utah Tech at UC Davis rounds out the slate.

With three weeks left, the Pick ’Em race is tight. Jon leads at 57-18, Mark is one game back, Fritz and Mike are tied one game behind Mark, and Luke sits at 53 wins. Every pick on the show has Montana State winning at Idaho State. Fritz is the lone panelist riding Eastern Washington over Idaho. Join the season-long Pick ’Em here: https://qr1.be/D321P8 - Someone needs to beat Jon.

00:00 - Intro
01:26 - Montana 42, Eastern Washington 33
09:46 - Idaho State 34, Utah Tech 27
14:41 - Montana State 61, Cal Poly 7
18:05 - Northern Arizona 34, Southern Utah 27
23:03 - Idaho 38, Portland State 14
26:27 - Weber State 38, UC Davis 14
29:44 - Week 10 Preview: Montana State at Idaho State
33:00 - Portland State at Montana
36:30 - Eastern Washington at Idaho
41:58 - Northern Arizona at Cal Poly
43:24 - Utah Tech at UC Davis
44:48 - Northern Colorado at Southern Utah
46:28 - Pick ’Em presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins
47:50 - Jon’s Picks
48:40 - Mark’s Picks
49:17 - Fritz’s Picks
49:46 - Mike’s Picks
50:06 - Luke’s Picks

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment! They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit https://www.mountainpasssafes.com to learn more.

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

Montana State survived a second-half scare, Idaho won another thriller and Utah Tech finally broke through, and the Big Sky Now panel is breaking it all down. Host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor, Mike Maynard of the Columbia Basin Herald and Mark Nelke of the Coeur d’Alene Press to recap Week 8, preview the biggest Week 9 matchups and make their weekly picks. Jon Allen is out this week again, so Luke covers his picks.

Montana State rallied from a 27-17 halftime deficit to beat Weber State 38-33, outscoring the Wildcats 21-6 in the second half. Idaho followed its win over Montana with a 31-28 walk-off field goal win over Southern Utah, Idaho State got back in the win column with a 38-8 win over Portland State behind quarterback Jordan Cook’s 334 passing yards, and UC Davis bounced back with a 33-6 win over Northern Colorado. Utah Tech also picked up its first Big Sky Conference victory, a 43-26 upset of Cal Poly fueled by six turnovers. The panel also looks at what the results mean for the Big Sky Conference standings and the FCS playoff picture.

Then it’s on to Week 9. Can Montana get its defense right after the bye when it travels to Eastern Washington on Halloween night? Will Montana State put away Cal Poly early after its scare against Weber State? Can Idaho control a game from start to finish at Portland State? The panel also breaks down UC Davis at Weber State, Northern Arizona at Southern Utah and Idaho State at Utah Tech.

Finally, the crew makes its picks for all six featured matchups and updates the season-long standings. Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick ’Em! Someone needs to beat Jon. No registration required, and it’s free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - Montana State Rallies Past Weber State, 38-33
06:22 - Idaho Beats Southern Utah on a Late Field Goal, 31-28
10:32 - Idaho State Rolls Past Portland State, 38-8
14:08 - UC Davis Beats Northern Colorado, 33-6
15:15 - Utah Tech Gets Its First Big Sky Win, 43-26
18:30 - Montana at Eastern Washington
24:23 - Cal Poly at Montana State
26:52 - Idaho at Portland State
29:10 - UC Davis at Weber State
32:05 - Northern Arizona at Southern Utah
34:05 - Idaho State at Utah Tech
35:57 - Week 9 Pick ’Em: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins
37:23 - Jon Allen’s Picks
37:57 - Fritz Neighbor’s Picks
38:34 - Mike Maynard’s Picks
39:04 - Mark Nelke’s Picks
40:11 - Luke Schmit’s Picks
42:03 - Final Thoughts

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment! They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit https://www.mountainpasssafes.com to learn more.

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

Idaho took the Little Brown Stein, Montana State bounced back and Weber State keeps winning, and the Big Sky Now panel is breaking it all down. Host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor, Mike Maynard of the Columbia Basin Herald and Mark Nelke of the Coeur d’Alene Press to recap Week 7, preview the biggest Week 8 matchups and make their weekly picks. Jon Allen is out this week, so Luke covers his picks.

Idaho beat Montana 42-35 in Missoula behind a huge day from quarterback Joshua Wood, and the Vandals have now defeated both Montana schools. Montana State answered its loss to Idaho with a 56-20 win over Eastern Washington, Weber State took down Idaho State 27-20 to improve to 4-1 in conference play, Northern Colorado topped Cal Poly 28-18, and Southern Utah beat UC Davis 38-17 behind Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week Floyd Chalk. The panel also looks at Northern Arizona’s 38-25 win over Portland State and what the results mean for the Big Sky Conference standings and the FCS playoff picture.

Then it’s on to Week 8. Can Weber State hand defending national champion Montana State its first test of the season in Bozeman? Can Idaho keep its momentum against Southern Utah’s rushing attack in the Kibbie Dome? Will Idaho State stop its three-game slide against Portland State? The panel also breaks down Utah Tech at Cal Poly and Northern Colorado at UC Davis.

Finally, the crew makes its picks for this week's matchups. Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick ’Em! Someone needs to beat Jon. No registration required, and it’s free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Chapters:
 00:00 - Intro
 01:20 - Idaho Takes the Little Brown Stein, 42-35
 06:44 - Montana State Bounces Back, 56-20 Over Eastern Washington
 12:58 - Weber State Beats Idaho State, 27-20
 17:21 - Northern Colorado Tops Cal Poly, 28-18
 19:50 - Southern Utah Beats UC Davis, 38-17
 22:57 - Northern Arizona Beats Portland State, 38-25
 25:20 - Weber State at Montana State
 27:20 - Southern Utah at Idaho
 30:41 - Portland State at Idaho State
 34:42 - Utah Tech at Cal Poly
 35:40 - Northern Colorado at UC Davis
 37:25 - Week 8 Pick ’Em: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins
 38:50 - Mike’s Picks
 39:49 - Fritz’s Picks
 40:26 - Mark’s Picks
 41:06 - Luke and Jon’s Picks
 41:59 - Final Thoughts

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment! They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit https://www.mountainpasssafes.com to learn more.

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

Big Sky Conference football delivered another wild week, and the Big Sky Now panel is breaking it all down. Host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor and reporter Jon Allen, Mike Maynard of the Columbia Basin Herald, and Mark Nelke of the Coeur d'Alene Press to recap Week 6, preview the biggest Week 7 matchups and make their weekly picks.

Northern Arizona stunned Montana in a 49-44 shootout behind a huge performance from quarterback Ty Pennington. Cal Poly edged Idaho State 25-24, Weber State handed Idaho a 38-27 loss after the Vandals' upset of Montana State, and Eastern Washington picked up its first conference win against Northern Colorado. The panel also looks at Portland State's victory over Utah Tech and what the results mean for the Big Sky Conference standings and FCS playoff picture.

Then it's on to Week 7. Can Montana rebound against Idaho in the Little Brown Stein rivalry game? Will defending national champion Montana State get back on track against Eastern Washington? Is Weber State becoming a legitimate contender, and can Idaho State stop its two-game slide? The panel also breaks down Cal Poly at Northern Colorado, UC Davis at Southern Utah and Portland State at Northern Arizona.

Finally, the crew makes its picks for all six featured matchups and updates the season-long standings. Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick 'Em! Someone needs to beat Jon. No registration required, and it's free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Watch Luke's preseason interview with NAU's Ty Pennington: https://youtu.be/nzZvjP88e40

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro
01:13 – Northern Arizona Stuns Montana, 49-44
07:48 – Cal Poly Edges Idaho State, 25-24
11:03 – Eastern Washington Gets Its First Conference Win
16:40 – Weber State Takes Down Idaho, 38-27
22:03 – Portland State Beats Utah Tech
22:46 – Idaho at Montana: Can the Grizzlies Bounce Back?
29:17 – Montana State at Eastern Washington
34:42 – Idaho State at Weber State
36:08 – Cal Poly at Northern Colorado
38:02 – UC Davis at Southern Utah
39:28 – Portland State at Northern Arizona
41:13 – Week 7 Pick 'Em: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins
42:36 – Jon Allen's Picks
43:44 – Mark Nelke's Picks
44:15 – Fritz Neighbor's Picks
45:05 – Mike Maynard's Picks
45:41 – Luke Schmit's Picks
46:41 – Final Thoughts

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

On this episode of Big Sky Now, host Luke Schmit and the panel break down a Week 5 slate that saw two unbeaten Big Sky teams fall, then preview a Week 6 headlined by Montana at Northern Arizona. Joining Luke are Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor and reporter Jon Allen, Mike Maynard of the Columbia Basin Herald, and Mark Nelke of the Coeur d'Alene Press.

Week 5 brought a two-point conversion that ended Montana State's 19-game winning streak, a Homecoming win that kept Montana unbeaten in conference play, and a double-overtime thriller in Ogden. The panel digs into the final-second clock controversy in Moscow, Idaho State's first loss, and what is going wrong for Eastern Washington at 1-5.

Week 6 puts the Griz on the road at 7,000 feet, sends a revived Idaho to Weber State, and has two middle-of-the-pack matchups that could shape the playoff picture. Every panelist makes their picks, and the standings are tight.

Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick 'Em! Someone needs to beat Jon. No registration required, and it's free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - Idaho 35, Montana State 34
09:39 - Montana 36, Northern Colorado 14
14:17 - UC Davis 49, Eastern Washington 38
18:03 - Northern Arizona 38, Idaho State 31
21:37 - Southern Utah 46, Utah Tech 33 (Battle for the Ax)
22:25 - Weber State 42, Cal Poly 34 (2OT)
24:47 - Week 6 Preview: Montana at Northern Arizona
28:45 - Idaho at Weber State
31:05 - Northern Colorado at Eastern Washington
33:35 - Utah Tech at Portland State
35:42 - Cal Poly at Idaho State
40:13 - Week 6 Pick 'Em: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment!  They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit mountainpasssafes.com to learn more.

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

Week 4 delivered a statement from the Montana Grizzlies and another nail-biter for Idaho State, and Week 5 brings a stacked Big Sky slate headlined by a Friday night trap game in Moscow. On this episode of Big Sky Now, host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor, Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen, Coeur d'Alene Press sports editor Mark Nelke, and Columbia Basin Herald sports reporter Mike Maynard to break down every result and preview the week coming up.

Montana blew the doors off UC Davis 62-22 behind a career rushing day from Eli Gilman, who set the program's single-game rushing record. Idaho State survived a turnover-filled battle with Southern Utah to stay undefeated at 4-0, Cal Poly knocked off Eastern Washington 31-27 behind running back Jayden Green, and Montana State beat Northern Arizona 28-14 despite missing three of its top offensive players to injury. Portland State pulled off a wild shootout win over Weber State, and Northern Colorado rolled past Utah Tech 37-13 for its second straight win.

Then the panel turns to a loaded Week 5: Idaho hosts Montana State on a short week with the Bobcats' top playmakers still banged up, Montana hosts Northern Colorado for a homecoming game that doubles as head coach Bobby Kennedy's return to his alma mater, and an undefeated Idaho State hosts Northern Arizona in what the panel calls a potential postseason resume game. The show wraps with the weekly picks segment, where Jon Allen looks to extend his lead atop the standings.

Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick 'Em! Someone needs to beat Jon. No registration required, and it's free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:10 Montana 62, UC Davis 22 Recap
5:59 Idaho State 28, Southern Utah 24 Recap
9:20 Cal Poly 31, Eastern Washington 27 Recap
13:50 Montana State 28, Northern Arizona 14 Recap
19:17 Portland State Outlasts Weber State in Wild Shootout
23:05 Northern Colorado 37, Utah Tech 13 Recap
25:08 Week 5 Preview: Idaho at Montana State
29:13 Week 5 Preview: Northern Colorado at Montana
32:11 Week 5 Preview: Northern Arizona at Idaho State
34:42 Week 5 Preview: Eastern Washington at UC Davis
37:32 Week 5 Preview: Southern Utah at Utah Tech
38:46 Week 5 Preview: Weber State at Cal Poly
39:57 Week 5 Pick 'Em: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment!  They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit mountainpasssafes.com to learn more.

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

Week three brought Big Sky Conference football back down to earth, and week four kicks off conference play for real. On this episode of Big Sky Now, host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor, Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen, Coeur d'Alene Press sports editor Mark Nelke, and Columbia Basin Herald sports reporter Mike Maynard to break down every result and preview the full week four slate.

Montana State needed a second-half comeback to hold off Central Connecticut State 35-30, pushing the nation's longest active win streak to 18 games. It was a rough week on the road for the state's flagship programs: Montana fell 52-17 at Oregon State, and Portland State was run off the field 84-0 by Oregon. Idaho dropped to 0-4 in a heartbreaker against Abilene Christian, Eastern Washington lost big to Washington, Northern Colorado needed overtime to beat Northeastern State, Southern Utah fell to St. Thomas, and Cal Poly lost a shootout to San Diego.

Then the crew turns to week four, the first full slate of Big Sky Conference games. Montana travels to UC Davis for a Friday night shootout, a ranked Northern Arizona team heads to Bozeman to face Montana State, Idaho State looks to keep its hot start alive at Southern Utah, and Cal Poly and Eastern Washington meet in a game both teams need. 

Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick 'Em! Someone needs to beat Jon. No registration required, and it's free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:06 Montana State 35, Central Connecticut State 30 Recap
4:30 Oregon State 52, Montana 17 and Oregon 84, Portland State 0 Recap
10:12 Abilene Christian 41, Idaho 39: Vandals Fall to 0-4
12:58 Washington 48, Eastern Washington 16 Recap
15:02 Northern Colorado and Southern Utah Recaps
16:50 San Diego 38, Cal Poly 35 Recap
18:23 Rapid Scoreboard: UC Davis, Northern Arizona, Weber State
19:11 Week 4 Preview: Montana at UC Davis
23:05 Week 4 Preview: Northern Arizona at Montana State
25:33 Week 4 Preview: Idaho State at Southern Utah
28:08 Week 4 Preview: Cal Poly at Eastern Washington
30:12 Week 4 Preview: Portland State at Weber State and Utah Tech at Northern Colorado
 31:31 Week 4 Pick 'Em: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment!  They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit https://mountainpasssafes.com/ to learn more.

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

Big Sky Conference football week two is in the books, and Montana State's win over Nevada might be the headline of the season so far. On this episode of Big Sky Now, host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor, Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen, Coeur d'Alene Press sports editor Mark Nelke, and Columbia Basin Herald sports reporter Mike Maynard to break down every result from week two and preview the full week three slate.

Montana State knocked off Nevada 20-7 behind Justin Lampson, who leads all FCS quarterbacks in QBR, pushing the Bobcats' win streak to 17 games. Idaho fell to 0-3 after a 23-17 loss to Lamar. Montana beat Utah Tech 35-14 but lost two key defensive pieces in the process. Catch Jon’s full recap of the UM game, along with photos from the action!

Eastern Washington dropped a 41-23 decision to South Dakota, Northern Arizona forced six turnovers in a 38-28 win over Incarnate Word, and Idaho State improved to 3-0 for the first time since 1995 with a 59-17 win over San Diego. The panel also runs through a full scoreboard of Big Sky results against FBS competition, including Wyoming over Northern Colorado, San Jose State over Cal Poly, and blowout losses for UC Davis, Weber State, Southern Utah, and Portland State.

Then the crew looks ahead to the final week of non-conference play: Montana travels to Oregon State for its first road test of the season, Idaho hosts a must-win game against Abilene Christian before its bye week, Eastern Washington heads to Seattle to face Washington, and No. 20 Northern Arizona looks to build on its statement win against Utah Tech. The show wraps with the weekly picks segment, where Jon Allen's early-season hot streak continues.

Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick 'Em. Someone needs to beat Jon! No registration required, and it's free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
01:08 Montana State 20, Nevada 7 Recap
05:12 Lamar 23, Idaho 17: Vandals Fall to 0-3
08:40 Montana 35, Utah Tech 14 Recap
12:47 South Dakota 41, Eastern Washington 23 Recap
16:07 Northern Arizona 38, Incarnate Word 28 Recap
17:41 Idaho State 59, San Diego 17: Bengals Start 3-0
19:59 Northern Colorado & Cal Poly Recaps
21:17 More Week 2 Scores
21:41 Week 3 Preview: Montana at Oregon State
24:49 Week 3 Preview: Abilene Christian at Idaho
27:05 Week 3 Preview: Eastern Washington at Washington
28:50 Week 3 Preview: Northern Arizona at Utah Tech
30:23 Week 3 Quick Hits Around the Big Sky
32:36 Week 3 Pick 'Em Segment: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment!  They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit https://mountainpasssafes.com/ to learn more.

#BigSkyFootball #FCSFootball #GoGriz #MontanaState #IdahoVandals #EasternWashington #NorthernArizona #IdahoStateBengals #OregonState #ColbyKellyGrigsby #CalPoly #WeberState #UCDavis #BigSkyConference #CollegeFootball #FCS #BigSkyNow

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

On this episode of Big Sky Now, host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor, Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen, Coeur d'Alene Press sports editor Mark Nelke and Columbia Basin Herald sports reporter Mike Maynard to break down every Big Sky Conference football week 1 result and preview the full week 2 slate. 

Idaho State stunned FBS opponent Utah State 29-17 for the program's first win over an FBS school since 2017. Southern Utah outlasted Weber State 47-42 in the Beehive Bowl shootout. Montana handled Drake 21-3 as running back Eli Gilman broke the program's all-time career rushing touchdown record, passing Chase Reynolds with his 53rd. Eastern Washington rallied behind quarterback Nate Bell to beat Northern Iowa 34-24. Utah routed Idaho 66-14, and Montana State rolled past Butler 51-24 behind a Jabez Woods kick return touchdown. The panel also runs through Cal Poly's narrow win over Central Washington, South Dakota over Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona's loss to Arizona, Portland State's loss to San Diego State, BYU's blowout of Utah Tech and UC Davis over San Diego.

Then the crew previews Big Sky Conference football week 2, headlined by Montana State hosting Nevada in a game with extra storylines after former Bobcats coach Jeff Choate's comments about scheduling and Montana State's athletic director producing emails from the 2024 negotiations. Other week 2 previews include Utah Tech at Montana, Eastern Washington at South Dakota, San Diego at Idaho State, UC Davis at SMU, Lamar at Idaho and Southern Utah at Colorado State, plus quick hits on Weber State at Colorado, Northern Colorado at Wyoming, Cal Poly at San Jose State, Incarnate Word at Northern Arizona and North Dakota at Portland State. The episode wraps with the crew's weekly pick 'em standings and this week's predictions from every panelist.

Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick 'Em. Someone needs to beat Jon! No registration required, and it's free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Idaho State Upsets Utah State 29-17 
3:56 - Southern Utah Outlasts Weber State 47-42 (Beehive Bowl) 
6:49 - Montana Handles Drake, Gilman Sets Rushing TD Record 
9:52 - Eastern Washington Rallies Past Northern Iowa 
13:46 - Utah Routs Idaho 66-14 16:16 - Montana State Rolls Past Butler 51-24 
17:39 - Quick Hits: Cal Poly, South Dakota, Northern Arizona, Portland State, BYU, UC Davis 
21:38 - Week 2 Preview
21:57 - Montana State vs Nevada Preview 
24:33 - Utah Tech at Montana Preview 
27:07 - Eastern Washington at South Dakota Preview 
29:01 - San Diego at Idaho State Preview 
30:04 - UC Davis at SMU Preview 
31:01 - Lamar at Idaho Preview 
32:32 - Southern Utah at Colorado State Preview 
34:50 - Quick Hit Slate: Weber State-Colorado, N. Colorado-Wyoming, Cal Poly-San Jose State, Incarnate Word-Northern Arizona, North Dakota-Portland State
36:47 - Week 2 Pick 'Em: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment!  They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit https://mountainpasssafes.com/ to learn more.

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!

Big Sky Conference football is back, and week zero delivered chaos. On this episode of Big Sky Now, host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports editor Fritz Neighbor, Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen, Coeur d'Alene Press sports editor Mark Nelke, and Columbia Basin Herald sports reporter Mike Maynard to break down every Big Sky result from week zero and preview the full week one slate.

The Montana Grizzlies survived a scare from Southern Utah in Bobby Kennedy's coaching debut, needing a fourth quarter defensive stand to escape with the win. Cal Poly's Anthony Grigsby Jr. delivered a Friday night thriller against Idaho, Northern Arizona erased a 21-point deficit to shock Eastern Washington, and UC Davis had to claw back from a 21-point hole against Portland State just to survive. Idaho State opened 38-10 but lost star running back Jason Brooks for the season, Weber State outlasted Northern Colorado on a missed extra point, and Montana State handled Utah Tech 54-0. 

Then the panel looks ahead to week one: Idaho travels to face No. 21 Utah just five days after their heartbreaker, Drake heads to Missoula to face the Grizzlies, Northern Arizona gets a measuring stick trip to Arizona, and Weber State meets Southern Utah in the only Big Sky-on-Big Sky matchup of the week. The show closes with the crew's weekly picks segment, where Jon Allen defends his early season lead.

New this season! Play along with us and make your weekly picks in our season-long Pick 'Em. Someone needs to beat Jon! No registration required, and it's free to play: https://qr1.be/D321P8

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:38 - Montana Grizzlies Survive Southern Utah Scare
8:01 - Cal Poly Stuns Idaho in Friday Night Thriller
10:34 - Northern Arizona Erases 21-Point Deficit to Beat Eastern Washington
15:10 - UC Davis Escapes Portland State Scare
18:46 - Idaho State Opens 38-10, Loses RB Jason Brooks for the Season
21:15 - Weber State Outlasts Northern Colorado on Missed Extra Point
23:18 - Montana State Blanks Utah Tech 54-0
23:56 - Week 1 Preview: Northern Iowa at Eastern Washington
26:14 - Week 1 Preview: Idaho at No. 21 Utah
28:55 - Week 1 Preview: Drake at Montana
32:56 - Week 1 Preview: Northern Arizona at Arizona
35:12 - Week 1 Preview: Weber State at Southern Utah
36:59 - Week 1 Preview: Idaho State at Utah State
38:23 - Week 1 Preview: South Dakota at Northern Colorado
39:21 - Week 1 Preview: Portland State at San Diego State
39:41 - Week 1 Preview: UC Davis at San Diego
40:01 - Week 1 Preview: Montana State vs Butler
40:16 - Week 1 Preview: Cal Poly at Central Washington
40:38 - Week 1 Preview: Utah Tech at BYU
41:26 - Week 1 Picks and Predictions: presented by Mountain Pass Safes & Coins

Big thanks to Mountain Pass Safes & Coins for sponsoring our Pick 'Em segment!  They are a family-owned business proudly serving the Flathead Valley with a wide selection of high-quality safes ready for immediate delivery - no long wait times. Whether you’re protecting firearms, valuables, or important documents, their safes offer advanced fire protection, reinforced construction, and customizable storage options backed by strong warranties. They also buy and sell gold and silver with a reputation for fair, transparent pricing. Stop by their showroom at 2593 US Highway 2 E Suite 4 in Kalispell or visit https://mountainpasssafes.com/ to learn more.

Thank you to our headline sponsor M&C Tire for their continued support of Big Sky Now! Serving the Flathead Valley since 1979, M&C is your total tire dealer with trusted brands, all at affordable prices. From farm trucks to hybrids, their certified technicians handle it all with unmatched hometown service. Stop by in 1271 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell, call (406) 752-9662, or visit https://www.mandctire.com/ to keep your ride rolling.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Would you rather watch this episode? Check out Daily Inter Lake's YouTube page! Please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference. 

Email us any questions you may have at [email protected] - you may be featured in our next discussion!