Idaho State Gamenotes | Montana Gamenotes | Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Tickets
POCATELLO, Idaho - No. 21 Idaho State travels to Missoula, Mont., to face No. 12 Montana on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 8:30 PM MT on ESPN2.
The Bengals are coming off a 28-26 triple-overtime loss to No. 3 Montana State, Idaho State's first triple-overtime game since 1982. Idaho State outgained the Bobcats 410-332, ran a season-high 83 plays and held the ball for a season-high 33:26. Mason Lindberg made four field goals to tie the program's single-season record with 20. Idaho State is 3-1 on the road this season.
Montana leads the all-time series 49-13, and Saturday is the 63rd meeting. The Grizzlies have won the last 16, including a 42-38 win in Pocatello on Oct. 4, 2025. Idaho State's last win was a 43-40 double-overtime victory over No. 5 Montana in Pocatello on Oct. 18, 2003, and its last win in Missoula was 31-17 on Nov. 19, 1983.
Quick Look at Montana
Montana enters 7-3 overall and 5-2 in league play and is 5-1 at home. The Grizzlies lost at Oregon State (52-17), at Northern Arizona (49-44) and to Idaho (42-35) and have won two straight since. Last week they beat Portland State 57-24, setting season highs with 644 total yards and 363 rushing yards and running for seven touchdowns.
Keali'i Ah Yat leads the Big Sky in passing yards per game (286.6) and passing efficiency (167.83), with 2,866 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions. Eli Gillman leads the league in rushing (135.7 yards per game), scoring (25 touchdowns) and all-purpose yards. His 5,034 career rushing yards lead all active Big Sky players. Brooks Davis leads the league with 81 catches for 1,233 yards and has 12 touchdowns.
Tyler King leads the Big Sky with 8.5 sacks, and Nai Mose leads the defense with 66 tackles. Peyton Wing has 51 tackles and eight tackles for loss.
Montana averages 40.1 points and 488.9 yards per game and leads the Big Sky in total offense, passing offense and yards per play. It allows 28.1 points and 405.8 yards per game, leads the league with 26 sacks and has allowed nine, the fewest in the Big Sky.
Bengal Bites
Idaho State is No. 21 in both the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 and the AFCA Coaches Poll. Montana is No. 12 in both.
Lindberg's 20 field goals tie Darren Goodman (1990) for the most in a season in program history. His 2.00 field goals per game lead the Big Sky and rank second in the FCS.
Idaho State's four defensive touchdowns lead the Big Sky and rank second nationally.
Montana leads the Big Sky in passing offense (292.4 yards per game). Idaho State leads the league in passing yards allowed (191.6) and pass efficiency defense, which ranks ninth nationally.
Idaho State leads the Big Sky with 61 tackles for loss. Montana has allowed nine sacks, the fewest in the league.
Idaho State is plus-9 in turnover margin in its six wins and minus-5 in its four losses.
Idaho State is 5-1 when its opponent wins the time-of-possession battle and 1-3 when the Bengals hold the ball longer.
Tommy Poe had nine catches for 100 yards against Montana State, his third 100-yard game of the season. Four Bengal receivers have at least 500 receiving yards.
Jordan Cooke passed 8,000 career passing yards against Montana State and has 8,091 for his career.
Idaho State is 5-5 all-time on Nov. 14. Saturday is the first meeting with Montana on the date.
NUMBERS TO WATCH
49-13: Montana's all-time series lead.
16: Consecutive Montana wins in the series.
21/12: Idaho State and Montana's rankings in both national polls.
20: Field goals for Lindberg, tying the program single-season record.
4: Defensive touchdowns for Idaho State, first in the Big Sky and second nationally.
191.6: Passing yards allowed per game by Idaho State, first in the Big Sky.
292.4: Passing yards per game for Montana, first in the Big Sky.
9: Sacks allowed by Montana, fewest in the Big Sky.
5-1: Montana's home record this season.
