Idaho football looks to keep momentum rolling as it travels to Missoula to play the Montana Grizzlies Saturday.
The Vandals will try to reclaim the Little Brown Stein after coming short of claiming the trophy last season in the renewed Big Sky rivalry.
After coming off a dominant win against Cal Poly, the Vandals will have their hands full this week going against the second-best offense in the Big Sky conference.
Montana:
The Grizzlies average nearly 38 points per game, just behind the Eastern Washington Eagles.
Idaho found success holding off the Eagles offense, but now the Vandals will have the challenge of stopping the Grizzles on the road in one of the most electric stadiums across the Big Sky.
The storyline continues with the Vandals seeking out their first road victory in nearly two seasons, and if Idaho can pull off the upset on Saturday, it will have to be a total team effort.
All season long the Vandals have been able to be physical up front on both sides of the football to set the tone early.
Controlling the physicality:
The best wins of the season, like Cal Poly on Nov. 2, started with the Vandal defensive line causing pressure on opposing Big Sky quarterbacks.
Sophomore linebacker Tre Walker and the rest of the Vandal defense set the tone and the emotions for the team.
Coming up with big stops against one of the more potent offenses in the conference may be the early fuel Idaho will need to come up with the win on the road.
Playing smart:
For the Vandal offense, the game will live and die on if the running backs can get going early to tire out the Grizzly defense.
Redshirt freshman running back, Aundre Carter, had a spectacular return to the field last weekend rushing for 179 yards and scoring twice.
Expect the Vandals to rely on Carter once again, to help open up the passing game for senior quarterback Mason Petrino.
It is safe to say that senior wide receiver Jeff Cotton will be another bright point for the Idaho offense.
Cotton currently leads the Big Sky Conference in receiving yards, catching for 101 yards per game this season.
If there is a crucial third down the Vandals need to convert, Cotton has proven to be the Vandals’ best option for a safety blanket time and time again this season.
Beat the best, to be the best:
As the season has progressed the Vandals have shown us that they like to play up to their level of competition.
Opponents like Eastern Washington, Wyoming and Weber State have brought out the best that this Vandal team has to offer.
Montana currently ranks sixth in STATS FCS Top 25, being the second team Idaho has played this season ranking in the FCS top ten.
The Vandals have shown to play their best football against their top rivals, and expect Idaho to not shy away in their toughest challenge this season.
Where/When:
Idaho will play Montana Saturday at noon in Missoula, Montana.
Follow Vandal Nation for takeaways from Saturday’s action.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @chris_DEREMER