Idaho may be wading into foreign territory, but the trip east is likely to bring a sense of home to many of the Vandal coaches.
This will be the first time Idaho will play in Montana under Head Coach Paul Petrino, who has many personal ties to the state.
Petrino grew up in Helena and earned NAIA Player of the Year honors at Carroll College while playing under his father.
“There will be a lot of people there that I know,” Petrino said. “You always want to be good when you go home.”
For many others on the Idaho staff, the return back to Montana will be a special one. Idaho inside linebackers coach Bobby Daly played at Montana State as an All- American linebacker and tight ends coach Troy Purcell spent 11 seasons as a head coach for Bozeman High School.
Idaho football hopes to learn and forget after last week’s 34-point loss to in-state foe Idaho State.
The Vandals are back on the road this week to take on Montana State, who has had its own struggles throughout the season.
Montana State comes into Saturday’s game with a 3-2 record, battling its own roller coaster season, not unlike Idaho.
Both teams suffered double-digit losses a week ago to two Big Sky contenders and will look to find a way to get back on track.
Fans can expect a hard-fought battle on the potentially snowy field in Bozeman as both teams desperately seek redemption.
On paper, Idaho matches up better with Montana State compared to previous teams this season. The Bobcats rank eighth in total defense amongst the Big Sky, while Idaho ranks 10th. Both teams allow over 400 scrimmage yards per game and look to have strong defensive efforts on Saturday.
All three of Idaho’s mishaps this season have been at least 20 point losses, while al- lowing over 40 points each game to the op- posing team’s offense. In the Vandal’s two wins this season, the defense has allowed 10 points or less to opponents.
If Idaho wants to find some consistency this season, it has to start on the defensive side of the ball.
For the Vandal offense, converting on third downs will be key to keeping rhythm on Saturday.
The Vandals currently rank fourth amongst the rest in the Big Sky in third down efficiency, while Montana State ranks second-to-last in the conference.
Petrino said he will stick with the dual- quarterback set up, but last weekend showed sophomore quarterback Colton Richardson is able to open up a passing game for the Vandals — one fans have been waiting for throughout the first weeks of the season.
Senior running back Isaiah Saunders is nothing if not consistent.
Saunders finished last week with 144 yards rushing, and is averaging 96 yards rushing each game throughout the season. In a potential first snow game for Idaho this year, expect some ground and pound football with Saunders receiving plenty of carries once again.
Every game for the rest of the season looks to be a big game for Idaho to finally find some consistency this season, and the battle against Montana State looks to be an exciting matchup in the trenches of Bobcat Stadium.
The Vandals will travel to take on Montana State 1 p.m. Saturday in Bozeman.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cderemer_VN