Northwest Notes Aug. 19, 2025

Future Vegas Kickoff Classic to feature Montana, Montana State

FARMINGTON, Utah — ESPN Events has announced a pair of future Vegas Kickoff Classic games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas that will feature matchups of top FCS programs from the Big Sky Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference. 

Montana State will take on North Dakota State in 2027, while Montana will face South Dakota State in 2029. Both games will be played during Labor Day weekend at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with the game dates, times and networks to be announced at a later date.

The last four FCS national championship games have featured Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State or South Dakota State playing one another, while every title game since 2017 has featured at least one of those four teams in the championship game. 

The 2025 college football season officially kicks off on Saturday, with three Big Sky teams in action for Week 0.

Boise State to play Saint Mary’s in Idaho Falls for third straight year

Boise State and Saint Mary’s have agreed to play a neutral-site game at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls during the 2025-26 regular season, it was announced on Monday.

Scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 14, official game time will be announced at a later date.

All time, Boise State is 10-5 against Saint Mary’s, including 3-1 at neutral sites. The Broncos have won three -straight games against the Gaels dating back to 2014.

On Dec. 1, 2023 in Idaho Falls, Boise State defeated Saint Mary’s 63-60 in their first head-to-head neutral-site game since 1996. Last season the Broncos beat the Gaels 67-65 on Dec. 14, 2024.

Concluding the 2024-25 campaign with the second-most wins in a single season in program history, Boise State compiled a 26-11 record and competed in the inaugural College Basketball Crown. Saint Mary’s posted a 29-6 mark and advanced to the second round in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Ticket information: ticketmaster.com/event/1E00630EA2B625C2