MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho returns to Bozeman to avenge the world’s worst defeat Jason Eck era, but the Vandals enter the week as healthy as they have been since the season opener. Montana State has won 13 straight games while Idaho has won six straight, two of the longest current winning streaks in the FCS. In the first game of the season, Montana State won 38-7, but Idaho’s offense couldn’t find its footing without its starting quarterback Jack Layne. With Layne back behind center, Idaho has scored at least 31 points in his four starts since returning, all of them wins.

ABOUT IDAHO: Jack Layne is 4-1 in starts this season, its only loss coming against Oregon, the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. He had a career day with 318 passing yards and three touchdowns. Keyshawn James Newby is first in the Big Sky with 10.0 sacks in 12 games. Four Vandals have started at running back due to injuries at some point this season. Nate Thomas leads the team with 543 yards and five touchdowns. Jordan Dwyer has 1,003 receiving yards and Mark Hamper has received 950 receiving yards this year. Dwyer has 10 TDs to Hamper’s six. Idaho defeated Lehigh 34-13 in the second round game. The 2024 squad became just the third team in program history to achieve double-digit wins. Idaho also remained undefeated at home for the first time since 1996.

ABOUT MONTANA STATE: Montana State is the undefeated Big Sky Champions at 13-0 this season and dominated the Big Sky Individual Awards. Quarterback Tommy Mellott was named Offensive Player of the Year, Brody Grebe was named Defensive Player of the Year, running back Adam Jones was named Freshman of the Year and head coach Brent Vigen was named Coach of the Year. The Bobcats earned first place in the FCS playoffs and home field. MSU defeated UT Martin 49-17. The Bobcats have the best overall offense and offense in the FCS and one of the best overall and scoring defenses in the FCS.

CHOOSE SIX

1. HEAVY SCHEDULE: Idaho has played the sixth-toughest schedule in the FCS to date, according to the Massey Computer rankings. The Vandals played back-to-back FBS opponents at Oregon and Wyoming before hosting a ranked UAlbany team at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome before traveling to Abilene Christian and UC Davis. Idaho hosted a ranked NAU team before playing Montana State on the road. The Vandals are 8-3 and have one game left. Idaho’s losses come against teams that are 37-2 overall this season, including 13-0 Oregon, 13-0 Montana State and 11-2 UC Davis. Montana State handed Davis its first FCS loss of the year.

2. ECK’S VANDALS OVERFLOW THE MOUNTAIN WEST AGAIN: Idaho is now 2-0 in games against Mountain West programs Jason Eck after defeating Wyoming 17-13 in Laramie. The Vandals have given up a total of just 19 points in two games against Mountain West opponents over the last two seasons and have allowed just one touchdown between the two games. Montana State and Idaho both picked up wins against Mountain West teams this season.

3. YOUTH IN INJURY: There are 54 offensive players listed on Idaho’s roster. First: transfer tight end Mike Martínezis listed as senior. Of the 54, 46 are listed as freshmen or sophomores. The youth movement in Idaho’s offense is real, but the talent to match is there after the Vandals compiled top-10 recruiting classes in the FCS each of the last two years.

4. DRIVING LAYNE: Starting quarterback to open the season Jack Layne was injured in the fourth quarter of Idaho’s season opener at Oregon. He returned to action against Eastern Washington and threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 17-28 passing, but missed the game against Portland State. He returned against Weber State and threw for a total of nine touchdowns and 830 yards over the final three games. Jack Wagner The performance on the track without Layne was good enough to earn him a nod on the Jerry Rice Award watch list. As a starter, he had a record of 6-1.

5. EXPERIENCE IN THE TRENCHES: Idaho has replaced starters at nearly every qualifying position on offense, both corner positions and two of three linebackers, but the lineup is a different story. Seven of last season’s 10 offensive linemen return, including four starters. On defense, six of the eight return, including all four starters from last season. Last year, nine of the 10 players on the O-line depth chart were freshmen or sophomores, and while there still isn’t a single senior on the O-line, the group has the playing experience of a much older team. Experience shows that despite running back injuries, Idaho has given up almost one fewer sack per game and is looking for more per game.

6. DOMINANT D-LINE: Idaho’s defensive line has shown it can play with anyone. It faced two strong FBS units and came away with seven sacks in a Big Sky Conference win. Keyshawn James Newby leads the Big Sky with 10.0 total sacks in 12 games, surpassing his total of five sacks all of last year. He also has 14.0 TFLs and 13 QB hurries. The Vandals held Oregon to just 24 points, the first time an FCS team held Oregon to under 35 points. Malakai Williams has 7.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks. Idaho has held four of 13 opponents under 80 yards.