Idaho earns No. 4 seed, first-round bye in FCS playoffs

MOSCOW — The Idaho Vandals received the No. 4 overall seed, a first-round bye, the opportunity to host the second round and, with a win, the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. 

The announcement was made Sunday morning by the FCS Playoff Selection Committee in the selection show.

The Vandals will host the winner between Nicholls (La.) and Southern Illinois, who meet Saturday afternoon in Carbondale, Ill.

Idaho is making its 13th 1-AA/FCS Playoff appearance and its 16th postseason appearance, including three bowl wins at the FBS level. It is the first time since 1994 and '95 that the Vandals made the postseason in back-to-back seasons.

The Vandals will host a playoff game for the first time since hosting Boston U. in the quarterfinals in 1993. Idaho has played its last four playoff games on the road.

Four Big Sky Conference teams made it into the field, with Montana earning the No. 2 overall seed and Montana State earning the No. 6 overall seed. Sacramento State travels to North Dakota on Saturday for their first-round game.

UC Davis did not make the field, despite beating Sac State on Saturday.

Saturday's game between Nicholls and SIU will kick off at noon PST. Idaho's second-round game at the Kibbie Dome is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. PST.

Playoff tickets go on sale today for season ticket holders at 9 a.m. Season ticket holders will have Monday and Tuesday to secure their second-round seats. All tickets will be released to the general public and the remainder of the available tickets will go on sale Wednesday at 9 a.m. 

Tickets can be purchased by calling 208-885-6466 or by visiting govandals.com/tickets.