The last time Idaho beat Montana in the Kibbie Dome was on Oct. 21, 1995. Almost exactly 28 years later, the Vandals are looking to do the same.
Idaho comes in at #3 while Montana enters at #16/#10 with both teams sitting at 5-1 overall. However, the Vandals are 3-0 in conference play while the Griz are 2-1.
When the two teams matched up in Missoula, Montana last season, it was in a sold-out Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Idaho came out on top in a 30-23 shootout. Gevani McCoy, who was a redshirt freshman quarterback at the time, finished with 286 passing yards and two touchdowns.
This year, in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome, McCoy will also be playing in a sold-out stadium. It will be the first time his top receiver last season, redshirt junior wide receiver Hayden Hatten, will play a home game in front of a capacity crowd. Along with his first sold-out game, it’s also his last homecoming.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” Hatten said in a press conference. “I love this university; I love playing this game so much that I’m not ready to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s just taking it as another game, going out there, having fun and taking a moment to look around and soak in the atmosphere.”
While Idaho and Hatten look to keep the Little Brown Stein, Montana wants to refill that trophy case. The Griz held the trophy for 21-straight years, winning it back on Sept. 9, 2000. It went uncontested from 2003-2018, but the Griz dominated the first three meetings when Idaho returned to the FCS. However, Idaho leads the all-time series 56-30-2.
Although both teams are 5-1, the offensive stat sheets are quite different. Idaho has put up 1,227 rushing yards and 1,433 passing yards. Meanwhile, Montana has 1,127 passing yards and 949 rushing yards. The one statistic on offense that doesn’t have a large gap is interceptions thrown, as both teams have four.
On defense, Montana has snagged nine interceptions in comparison to Idaho’s five. The Griz also have 18 sacks to Idaho’s 11.
What this game really comes down to though is special teams. Idaho is averaging 22.19 yards per kickoff return, totaling 355 yards. Meanwhile, Montana is averaging 18.75 yards per return for 150 total yards. On the other hand, the Griz are averaging 18.64 yards per punt return, totaling 205 yards. Idaho is averaging eight yards per return for a total of 48 yards.
The main culprit for Montana is Junior Bergen. The junior WR from Billings, Montana, has racked up 81 yards on kick returns and 205 yards, plus one touchdown, on punt returns.
“I think we’ve got to do a great job with their returners,” head coach Jason Eck said. “Junior Bergen is a fantastic player, both in punt returns and kick returns.”
Idaho and Montana will battle for the Little Brown Stein on national television on Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The Griz will look to take the trophy back across the border while the Vandals look to rack up some “empty calories” to keep the Stein in Moscow.
James Taurman-Aldrich can be reached at [email protected] or on X @jamesaldrich25