Idaho hopes to use the remainder of the Kibbie magic Saturday to finish the season undefeated at home.
Idaho football will take on the Montana Grizzlies in the Kibbie Dome Saturday to reignite the rivalry that began in 1903.
This isn’t the first time Idaho Head Coach Paul Petrino has been a part of the rivalry, as he spent a number of years with the Vandal program as an assistant from 1992-1994. Petrino said he hopes
to get his first win against the Grizzly program.
“We never did beat them,” Petrino said. “I told the seniors yesterday that a great thing that would be for them to end their career is to walk off that field undefeated at home and carrying the stein and putting it in our trophy case.”
The Little Brown Stein has been a part of the rivalry since 1938, with both teams eyeing a trophy case spot for the traveling mug. Idaho leads all-time against Montana 55-27-2.
Idaho has not held the Stein since the 1999 season, leaving the Vandals without a Montana victory this century.
“I thought it was a bucket and I was like, ‘Who brought a bucket here with a bunch of writing on it,’” Idaho running back Isaiah Saunders said. “Then they were like… ‘That’s the trophy for you guys against Montana,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, okay you’re right.’”
The game is likely to attract a larger crowd of one specific group — dads.
Idaho’s final home game will be the chance for Vandal dads to enjoy football over Dads’ Weekend.
Idaho football has seen a number of changes through this season. While the most prominent change to Idaho football is the program’s shift to the Big Sky Conference, tailgating saw some changes too — permitted alcohol.
For the first time, the Idaho State Education Board authorized alcohol at tailgates before Vandal home games earlier this summer.
Moscow Police Department Campus Captain Tyson Berrett said safety issues have not been a problem at Vandal tailgates this season.
“Our big thing is drinking with responsibility,” Berrett said. “Students, alumni and visi- tors are actually treating it with respect and are doing the best to avoid over-drinking.”
All eyes will be on Vandal football Saturday, as the team has the opportunity to finish the season undefeated in the Kibbie Dome for the first time in the Paul Petrino era and the first time since 1996.
Unfortunately, some Vandal seniors might miss the home finale due to lingering injuries from the past few games.
Idaho senior linebacker Ed Hall and senior defensive back Dorian Clark have missed the past two games due to injury.
“Hopefully they get to play their last home game, but as of right now I don’t think there is anybody that can say they’re 100 percent,” Petrino said. “I think Ed might be the closest. I think that Ed might have the best chance for sure.”
It is certainly a positive sign if the star linebacker can return for the final home game of the season — all players will be needed for what could be the biggest game of the year.
Montana comes into Saturday’s matchup with a 5-4 record and an offense averaging around 33.6 points per game. A fiery Idaho defense will look to slow down the Grizzly offense behind a roaring crowd in the Kibbie.
Although it has been a roller coaster of a season for Idaho, the Vandals have a chance to give the home crowd a taste of finishing the season unbeaten at home with hopes of better outcomes in the Big Sky next year.
Idaho will face Montana in the battle for the Little Brown Stein at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Stay with Vandal Nation throughout Saturday’s matchup for live tweets and a full recap after the game.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cderemer_VN