‘Going to be a big-time game’: No. 8 Idaho at No. 5 Montana gets big exposure
First-year University of Idaho head football coach Thomas Ford knows what it’s like to win the Battle of the Little Brown Stein.
He also knows what it feels like to lose it.
“Looking forward to this weekend, obviously, very big matchup with a storied rival in Montana. We started playing this game back in 1903 and started playing for the Little Brown Stein back in 1938,” Ford said during a Monday news conference.
“I know as an assistant, it was pretty awesome getting that thing and taking it back to Moscow (in 2022). And I know also as an assistant, it hurt pretty bad seeing them leave with it here in Moscow back in 2023. Very excited for the matchup. It’s going to be a big-time game.”
The No. 8 Vandals (2-2) and No. 5 Griz (3-0) open their 2025 Big Sky schedule with a nationally televised matchup on ESPN2. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. Mountain time Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana.
Idaho’s two losses this season have come against FBS teams by a combined six points. The Vandals fell 13-10 at Washington State on Aug. 30 and are coming off a 31-28 loss on a 47-yard field goal in the closing seconds to San Jose State last week.
“We’re going to fight no matter who we’re playing. … There’s no moral victories, but we’re right there,” Ford said. “We can play with higher-caliber FBS teams, which I think tells you a little bit about our talent and our resolve. What I do see is our guys fighting and preparing like champions every week.”
Saturday’s game will feature the top two rushing teams in the Big Sky. The Griz rank No. 1 with 227 rushing yards per game (No. 6 in FBS), while the Vandals average 203 (No. 15 in FBS).
Montana junior running back Eli Gillman leads the way, ranking No. 10 nationally with 400 rushing yards this season. Gillman also is the active career leader in all of FCS in rushing touchdowns (34), ranks third among active players in rushing yards and is fifth in the FCS in points scored per game (6.4).
The Griz have been an offensive juggernaut overall, ranking second in passing offense (No. 7 FBS), first in total offense (No. 4 FBS) and first in scoring offense (No. 8 FBS).
The Vandals will challenge Montana with Fresno State transfer quarterback Joshua Wood. The redshirt sophomore is a dual threat, ranking No. 2 in the Big Sky with 314 rushing yards this season and three TDs on the ground. He’s also totaled nearly 700 yards and six touchdowns through the air.
“What you see is a lot of, hopefully, strength on strength,” Ford said. “I think they’re pretty decent stopping the run, but we’re pretty good at running it. I think they run it pretty good. I think we’re pretty good at stopping it. So I think you’re going to see some strength-on-strength matchups this weekend.”
The Idaho and Montana defenses are tied for No. 24 in all of FBS, surrendering 20 points per game.
The teams last met in 2023, with Montana winning 23-21 in Moscow. The Griz have won 12 of the past 15 meetings between the programs dating back to 1991, but the Vandals lead the overall series 56-31-2 and have a 23-16 record in Missoula.
