MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho heads back to Bozeman looking to avenge the toughest loss of the Jason Eck era, but the Vandals enter the week as healthy as they have been since the season opener. Montana State has won 13 straight games while Idaho has won six straight, two of the longest current win streak in the FCS. In the first match up of the season, Montana State won 38-7, but Idaho’s offense failed to find footing without starting quarterback Jack Layne. With Layne back behind center, Idaho has scored at least 31 points in his four start since his return, all wins.
ABOUT IDAHO: Jack Layne is 4-1 in starts this season with his lone loss coming against Oregon, the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. He is coming off of a career-day with 318 yards passing and three TDs. Keyshawn James-Newby is first in the Big Sky with 10.0 sacks through 12 games. Four Vandals have started at running back at some point this season because of injuries. Nate Thomas leads the team with 543 yards and five TDs. Jordan Dwyer has 1,003 receiving yards and Mark Hamper has 950 yards receiving this year. Dwyer has 10 TDs to Hamper’s six. Idaho handled Lehigh 34-13 in the second-round game. The 2024 squad became just the third team in program history to earn double-digit wins. Idaho also finished undefeated at home for the first time since 1996.
ABOUT MONTANA STATE: Montana State is 13-0 on the season, the undefeated Big Sky Champions and dominated the Big Sky Individual Awards. Quarterback Tommy Mellott was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Brody Grebe earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, running back Adam Jones was named the Freshman of the Year and head coach Brent Vigen was named the Coach of the Year. The Bobcats earned the top seed in the FCS Playoffs and home field throughout the playoffs. MSU topped UT Martin 49-17. The Bobcats have the best total offense and scoring offense in the FCS and one of the top total and scoring defenses in the FCS.
PICK SIX
1. TOUGH SCHEDULE: According to the Massey Computer rankings, Idaho has played the sixth-toughest schedule in the FCS to date. The Vandals played back-to-back FBS opponents in Oregon and Wyoming before hosting a ranked UAlbany team at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome before traveling to Abilene Christian and UC Davis. Idaho hosted a ranked NAU team before playing on the road at Montana State. The Vandals are 8-3 with one more game to play. Idaho’s losses are to teams with a combined 37-2 on the season, including 13-0 Oregon, 13-0 Montana State and 11-2 UC Davis. Montana State handed Davis its first FCS loss of the year.
2. ECK’S VANDALS TOPPLE THE MOUNTAIN WEST, AGAIN: Idaho is now 2-0 in games against Mountain West programs under Jason Eck after topping Wyoming 17-13 in Laramie. The Vandals have given up just 19 total points in two games against Mountain West opponents in the last two seasons and gave up just one touchdown between the two games. Montana State and Idaho both picked up wins against Mountain West teams this season.
3. YOUTH ON OFFENSE: There are 54 offensive players listed on the Idaho roster. One, transfer tight end Mike Martinez, is listed as a senior. Out of the 54, 46 are listed as freshmen or sophomores. The youth movement on the Idaho offense is real, but the talent is there to match after the Vandals put together Top-10 FCS recruiting classes each of the last two years.
4. DRIVING LAYNE: Season opening starting quarterback Jack Layne was injured in the fourth quarter of Idaho’s season opener at Oregon. He returned to action against Eastern Washington, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 17-28 passing, but missed the Portland State game. He returned against Weber State and has thrown for a combined nine touchdowns and 830 yards in the last three games combined. Jack Wagner’s performance in the stretch without Layne was good enough to earn him a Jerry Rice Award Watch List nod. He was 6-1 as a starter.
5. EXPERIENCE IN THE TRENCHES: Idaho has replaced starters at nearly every skilled position on offense, both corner positions and two of three linebackers, but the line is a different story. Seven of the 10 offensive linemen on the final depth chart of last season return, including four starters. On defense, six of the eight return, including all four starters from last season. Last year, nine of the 10 players on the O-line depth chart were freshmen or sophomores and while there is still not a single senior on the O-line, the group has the game experience of a much older squad. The experience shows, Idaho has given up nearly a sack less per game and is rushing for more per game, despite running back injuries.
6. DOMINANT D-LINE: The Idaho defensive line has shown that it can play with anyone. It faced two strong FBS units and came away with a Big Sky Conference leading seven sacks. Keyshawn James-Newby leads the Big Sky with 10.0 total sacks through 12 games, surpassing his total of five from all of last year. He also has 14.0 TFLs and 13 QB hurries. The Vandals held Oregon to just 24 points, the first time an FCS team has ever held Oregon under 35 points. Malakai Williams has 7.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks. Idaho has held four of 13 opponents under 80 yards rushing.
