Copyright Tim Kupsick 2007By: Amber Kuehn
GameDay Kaimin
While the Griz try to stay undefeated, several other conference teams will vie to move up the Big Sky standings.
Meanwhile, Eastern Washington takes a break from league play to face BYU.
Northern Arizona at Weber State (1:05 p.m.)
These two teams first met in 1964 and they’ve met every year since, with the Wildcats holding a one-game advantage in the series.
The Lumberjacks sit at 3-1 in Big Sky action and are alone in second place. NAU managed 588 total yards in their 45-24 victory over Idaho State last Saturday. Today they face a Wildcats squad that is on a two-game win streak and beat Northern Colorado 23-0 for their first shutout in 27 years. NAU quarterback Lance Kriesien received Player of the Week honors after his 320 yards of total offense and trio of touchdowns. He completed 75 percent of his passes and was dangerous on the ground with 17 carries. Kriesien has played both quarterback and wide receiver in his two seasons. As a quarterback, he has rushed for 390 yards and five touchdowns to rank eighth in the conference in total rushing yards.
NAU leads the league in rushing offense. Leading the Lumberjacks attack is Lionel Scott, who is averaging 107.2 yards in conference competition. Last Saturday he was responsible for three touchdowns.
The Jacks are also strong on the defensive side of the ball. NAU leads the league in interceptions with 13. K.J. Gerard leads the FCS in interceptions with six this season and leads the Lumberjacks in total tackles with 38.
For the Wildcats, Bryant Eteuati is one to watch out for. He had eight receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears. Eteuati is also the best in the Big Sky at kickoff returns.
The Wildcats are league-leaders in scoring defense and pass defense.
NAU has won three of its last four games in Stewart Stadium. For that reason, and their numbers so far this season, I’m taking the Lumberjacks.
Sacramento State at Montana State (1:05 p.m.)
Sac State managed to double Montana’s offensive output last Saturday but the Griz defense was too much for the Hornets. They now must face another strong defensive unit from the same state.
Both Sac State and MSU are coming off losses. The Bobcats suffered their first Big Sky loss of the season to Eastern Washington, 35-13. MSU only managed 22 rushing yards in that contest.
Sac State should beware of Bobcats linebacker Bobby Daly. He has had double-digit tackles in four straight games and was named to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list this week.
As far as the Cats’ offense, Demetrius Crawford leads the team in rushing yards. Wide receiver Josh Lewis also has over 100 yards receiving in two games in the past three weeks.
The Hornets have only posted one win this season and the Cats have only two losses (their other was to Texas A&M), which were both respectable considering the tough teams they were facing. I don’t see MSU losing this one.
Portland State at Idaho State (3:05 p.m.)
The Vikings haven’t won in Pocatello since 1999, and are coming off a bye week that followed a heartbreaking 44-43 loss to NAU.
Idaho State is also coming off a loss to the Lumberjacks, falling 45-24 last weekend.
Both squads sit at 2-4 in the Big Sky.
The Bengals are averaging 403.5 yards of offense but are guilty of 16 turnovers in six games. Freshman Russel Hill and sophomore Luke Butler have split time under center, and have combined to complete 58 percent of their passes. Tailback Josh Barnett currently leads the league with 548 rushing yards. Receiver Eddie Thompson is the league leader in receptions with 50 in six games, which is also third in the nation.
Portland State is banged up, with 10 players suffering injuries this season. But the athletes they have playing have been playing extremely well.
PSU quarterback Brian White has played spectacularly lately and has led the Vikings to two come-from-behind victories. He has thrown for over 1,500 yards in the past four games.
Vikings senior fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin leads the team and the Big Sky with nine touchdowns in six contests. He has 72 carries for 344 yards.
Want my opinion? Jerry Glanville and crew are going to get their first win in Pocatello in seven years.
Eastern Washington at BYU (3:35 p.m.)
The Eagles may get a break from conference action, but that doesn’t mean they are getting a break.
The Cougars are dangerous on both offense and defense and Brigham Young University is one of the most powerful college teams in the country. BYU ranks 16th in the FBS in total offense with 462.8 yards and is only allowing 313.3 yards per game. Quarterback Max Hall ranks sixth in the nation.
Both teams sit at 4-2. EWU has never beaten a Mountain West Conference member, and BYU is undefeated in the MWC this season.
The Eagles win over MSU last weekend moved them up to No. 22 in the Sports Network FCS Poll.
It would be nice of me to pick the Eagles since they are a fellow conference member. But football isn’t about being nice, so I’m going to play it safe and say BYU wins.
GameDay Kaimin
While the Griz try to stay undefeated, several other conference teams will vie to move up the Big Sky standings.
Meanwhile, Eastern Washington takes a break from league play to face BYU.
Northern Arizona at Weber State (1:05 p.m.)
These two teams first met in 1964 and they’ve met every year since, with the Wildcats holding a one-game advantage in the series.
The Lumberjacks sit at 3-1 in Big Sky action and are alone in second place. NAU managed 588 total yards in their 45-24 victory over Idaho State last Saturday. Today they face a Wildcats squad that is on a two-game win streak and beat Northern Colorado 23-0 for their first shutout in 27 years. NAU quarterback Lance Kriesien received Player of the Week honors after his 320 yards of total offense and trio of touchdowns. He completed 75 percent of his passes and was dangerous on the ground with 17 carries. Kriesien has played both quarterback and wide receiver in his two seasons. As a quarterback, he has rushed for 390 yards and five touchdowns to rank eighth in the conference in total rushing yards.
NAU leads the league in rushing offense. Leading the Lumberjacks attack is Lionel Scott, who is averaging 107.2 yards in conference competition. Last Saturday he was responsible for three touchdowns.
The Jacks are also strong on the defensive side of the ball. NAU leads the league in interceptions with 13. K.J. Gerard leads the FCS in interceptions with six this season and leads the Lumberjacks in total tackles with 38.
For the Wildcats, Bryant Eteuati is one to watch out for. He had eight receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears. Eteuati is also the best in the Big Sky at kickoff returns.
The Wildcats are league-leaders in scoring defense and pass defense.
NAU has won three of its last four games in Stewart Stadium. For that reason, and their numbers so far this season, I’m taking the Lumberjacks.
Sacramento State at Montana State (1:05 p.m.)
Sac State managed to double Montana’s offensive output last Saturday but the Griz defense was too much for the Hornets. They now must face another strong defensive unit from the same state.
Both Sac State and MSU are coming off losses. The Bobcats suffered their first Big Sky loss of the season to Eastern Washington, 35-13. MSU only managed 22 rushing yards in that contest.
Sac State should beware of Bobcats linebacker Bobby Daly. He has had double-digit tackles in four straight games and was named to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list this week.
As far as the Cats’ offense, Demetrius Crawford leads the team in rushing yards. Wide receiver Josh Lewis also has over 100 yards receiving in two games in the past three weeks.
The Hornets have only posted one win this season and the Cats have only two losses (their other was to Texas A&M), which were both respectable considering the tough teams they were facing. I don’t see MSU losing this one.
Portland State at Idaho State (3:05 p.m.)
The Vikings haven’t won in Pocatello since 1999, and are coming off a bye week that followed a heartbreaking 44-43 loss to NAU.
Idaho State is also coming off a loss to the Lumberjacks, falling 45-24 last weekend.
Both squads sit at 2-4 in the Big Sky.
The Bengals are averaging 403.5 yards of offense but are guilty of 16 turnovers in six games. Freshman Russel Hill and sophomore Luke Butler have split time under center, and have combined to complete 58 percent of their passes. Tailback Josh Barnett currently leads the league with 548 rushing yards. Receiver Eddie Thompson is the league leader in receptions with 50 in six games, which is also third in the nation.
Portland State is banged up, with 10 players suffering injuries this season. But the athletes they have playing have been playing extremely well.
PSU quarterback Brian White has played spectacularly lately and has led the Vikings to two come-from-behind victories. He has thrown for over 1,500 yards in the past four games.
Vikings senior fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin leads the team and the Big Sky with nine touchdowns in six contests. He has 72 carries for 344 yards.
Want my opinion? Jerry Glanville and crew are going to get their first win in Pocatello in seven years.
Eastern Washington at BYU (3:35 p.m.)
The Eagles may get a break from conference action, but that doesn’t mean they are getting a break.
The Cougars are dangerous on both offense and defense and Brigham Young University is one of the most powerful college teams in the country. BYU ranks 16th in the FBS in total offense with 462.8 yards and is only allowing 313.3 yards per game. Quarterback Max Hall ranks sixth in the nation.
Both teams sit at 4-2. EWU has never beaten a Mountain West Conference member, and BYU is undefeated in the MWC this season.
The Eagles win over MSU last weekend moved them up to No. 22 in the Sports Network FCS Poll.
It would be nice of me to pick the Eagles since they are a fellow conference member. But football isn’t about being nice, so I’m going to play it safe and say BYU wins.
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