Vandals face another top-5 FCS foe

Idaho at Sac State … Tonight, 6 p.m. … Streaming: ESPN+ … Radio: 92.5 FM, 1080 AM

Just like everybody thought, right?

Idaho (5-2, 4-0 Big Sky), ranked 14th in the Stats Perform FCS Poll, playing at No. 2 Sacramento State (7-0, 4-0) tonight, in a matchup of two of the three remaining undefeated teams in the Big Sky Conference.

“Credit to our guys,” first-year Idaho coach Jason Eck said earlier this week, in his weekly meeting with area media. “This was probably not on anybody’s preseason list of big games, but our guys have made it a big game.”

Idaho is bidding for its first 5-0 start in conference play since 1989. But more importantly, looking for another win in the resume as the Vandals try for their first postseason bid since rejoining the conference in 2018.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Eck said.

Sac State is coming off a 31-24 overtime win last week at home over Montana, a team Idaho beat 30-23 in Missoula when the Griz were ranked third.

Eck is familiar with Sac State, having coached against them last year in the FCS playoffs when he was offensive coordinator at South Dakota State. His Jackrabbits built a 24-0 lead at Sacramento before winning 24-19.

He said, being the superstitious type, he was happy to see the Vandals booked at the same hotel this week that South Dakota State stayed at last year.

Sac State plays two quarterbacks, both seniors. Jake Dunniway is more of the passer (113 of 181 for 1,405 yards and 13 TDs). Asher O’Hara has rushed for 480 and 13 touchdowns.

“It definitely is a challenge, because most games you're preparing for one quarterback,” Eck said. “I like it. At Minnesota State-Mankato, one year we went 14-1 and we played two quarterbacks all year. I do think it makes you tough to prepare for.”

Sophomore Cameron Skattebo of Sac State is among the nation’s leaders in rushing yards, averaging 168.57 yards per game.

Idaho has 15 takeaways to just four turnovers — the second-best turnover margin in FCS.

Eck said one key is the Vandals being able to run the ball, to keep Sac State’s offense off the field.

“We’ve got to be better on third down on both sides of the ball,” Eck said, noting Portland State was 4 of 6 vs. the Vandals on third down in the first half last week, but 0-7 in the second half.

With Idaho missing three of its top five receivers last week, Eck said Tommy Hauser, a walk-on from Post Falls High, played about 25 snaps vs. Portland State. On one, his block prevented a sack of quarterback Geveni McCoy, who completed a pass for a big gain that led to a touchdown.

Montana State (7-1, 5-0) is the only other unbeaten team in the Big Sky, with four weeks left in the regular season.

Weber State (6-1, 3-1) is the only team with one league loss; everyone else has at least two.

Idaho is not scheduled to play Montana State and Weber State in the regular season.

A Vandal Watch Party for tonight's game is scheduled at the Caddy Shack on Prairie Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.