IDAHO FOOTBALL: Three Vandal football games to be broadcast on ESPN networks

MOSCOW — Idaho football announced the broadcast of three linear ESPN network games and their kick-off times, as part of a wider release of game times from the Worldwide Leader in Sports. 

Idaho's Aug. 28 season opener at Cal Poly and marquee Oct. 2 matchup against the reigning FCS national champion Montana State Bobcats were selected for Friday night slots on ESPN, thanks to the Big Sky's broadcast deal with the network.

The Vandals' visit to San Luis Obispo will kick at 8 p.m. PT. It will be the second regular-season game for Idaho on ESPN proper in program history. Additionally, UI's showdown with the Bobcats, originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, is now set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. PT, also on ESPN. 

The Vandals' second game of the season, a Thursday night trip to Salt Lake City to face the Big 12's Utah Utes, will kick off at 6 p.m. PT on ESPNU. 

Idaho's three regular-season games on a linear ESPN network in 2026 are the most since 2009.

Idaho has had six Big Sky contests selected for nationwide viewing since 2023, the most of any team in the conference.

The Vandals' Oct. 2 clash with Montana State will be their first Friday night game at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome since Nov. 12, 2010, versus Boise State, and the first non-Saturday regular season game at home since Aug. 31, 2017, against Sacramento State. 

2026 IDAHO FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

(All games are on Saturdays unless specified otherwise. All times Pacific)

Friday, Aug. 28: at Cal Poly, 7 p.m., ESPN; Thursday, Sept. 3: at Utah, 6 p.m., ESPNU; Sept. 12: vs. Lamar, TBA; Sept. 19: vs. Abilene Christian, TBA; Friday, Oct. 2: vs. Montana State, 7:30, ESPN; Oct. 10: at Weber State, TBA; Oct. 17: at Montana, TBA; Oct. 24: vs. Southern Utah, TBA; Oct. 31: at Portland State, TBA; Nov. 7: vs. Eastern Washington, TBA; Nov. 14: vs. UC Davis, TBA; Nov. 21: at Idaho State, TBA.