Big Sky Breakdown

Brooks Nuanez and Colter Nuanez talk all things Name, Image, & Likeness in connection with the NCAA Transfer Portal + where Montana's 31-29 double overtime victory over North Dakota State to advance to the FCS national title game.

On December 20, 2023, Montana State announced the signing of 19 new Bobcats for Class of 2023. The class includes one transfer plus eight prep standouts from the state of Montana, five from Washington, three from Texas and one each from Idaho and Wyoming. Montana State head coach Brent Vigen addressed the media about the class on Wednesday afternoon.

Idaho finished the 2023 season with a 9-4 record. The Vandals earned a bye in the FCS Playoffs, then beat Southern Illinois in overtime for the first playoff win by UI in 30 years. A few weeks after having their season end with a 30-22 loss to UAlbany in the quarterfinals, Idaho head coach Jason Eck announced the signing of 28 new Vandals.

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen addressed the media on December 18, 2023 to talk about Bobby Daly and Shawn Howe's promotion to defensive coordinator and co-defensive coordinator, respectively. Vigen also talks NCAA transfer portal and recaps the 2023 football season.

Colter Nuanez presents his interviews from the week leading up to the FCS Playoffs semifinal game between No. 8 North Dakota State and No. 2 Montana in Missoula on December 16, 2023. Hear interviews from "Nuanez Now" on ESPN Montana, including Griz wide receiver Junior Bergen (2:25), North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz (11:00), NDSU senior offensive tackle Jalen Sundell (23:38), and Bison senior safety Cole Wisniewski (34:19).

Colter Nuanez is joined by Skyline analyst Ty Gregorak to rant about all things NIL and the transfer portal, where Montana State goes from here and thoughts on Montana's Final Four showdown with North Dakota State. Brooks Nuanez joins Colter (36:16) for a spirited discussion about how Montana State should approach the upcoming off-season and how Montana has returned to the brink of the national title game for the first time in 14 years.

Skyline analyst Samuel Akem, a wide receiver in the USFL, joins Colter Nuanez to talk all things FCS Playoffs, including a deep dive into Montana's 35-28 overtime win over Furman and UM's semifinal matchup against perennially powerful North Dakota State on December 16 in Missoula.

Voice of the Griz Riley Corcoran joins Colter Nuanez for a deep dive into Montana's epic 35-28 win in overtime over Furman plus a preview of UM's semifinal matchup against North Dakota State with a spot in the FCS National Championship game on the line.

No. 2 Montana gutted out a 35-28 overtime win over No. 7 Furman to advance to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs for the 11th time in school history, including the first since 2011. Montana will play No. 8 North Dakota State in Missoula on Saturday December 16, 2023. UM head coach Bobby Hauck, junior wide receiver Keelan White and sophomore linebacker Riley Wilson addressed the media ahead of the game.

With just one Montana team left in the FCS Playoffs, this week's Big Sky Breakdown is firmly focused on the Montana Grizzlies. Ty Gregorak and former Griz receiver Sammy Akem swing by the studio to give their takes on UM's quarterfinal matchup against Furman.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Idaho head coach Jason Eck to break down UI's 20-17 overtime win over Southern Illinois in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, which was Idaho's first postseason win in 30 years. Andrew Houghton presents an interview with Idaho freshman linebacker Xe'Ree Alexander previewing the Vandals' quarterfinal game against No. 5 UAlbany.

Voice of the Griz Riley Corcoran joins Colter Nuanez to talk about Montana's 49-19 whipping of Delaware and preview UM's quarterfinal matchup with Furman in the FCS Playoffs Friday night in Missoula.

Montana head coach Brian Holsinger addressed the media on December 4, 2023 leading up to his team's annual "School Day" in front of almost 6,000 elementary school children vs Loyola Marymount on December 6 at 11 a.m. He also previews the Lady Griz game Saturday against Colorado State.

No. 2 Montana rolled to a 49-19 win over No. 11 Delaware in the second round of the FCS Playoffs. The Griz move into the quarterfinals for the third time in the last five seasons and will host No. 7 Furman on Friday December 8, 2023 in Missoula, MT. The Griz have now won eight in a row and sit at 11-1 this season. The last time UM played Furman came when Montana beat the Paladins 13-6 in the 2001 national championship. Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, senior DE Hayden Harris and senior RB Nick Ostmo addressed the media on Monday. Video filmed & produced by Colter Nuanez, Skyline Sports. All Rights Reserved.

Montana and Montana State kick off the their 2023 playoff campaigns Saturday with the Bobcats hosting North Dakota State and the Griz hosting Delaware. On this Big Sky Breakdown, hear from Delaware assistant coach Terrence Archer, North Dakota State assistant Tyler Roehl, Bison quarterback Cam Miller, Montana State defensive end Brody Grebe, Montana safety Ryder Meyer and Montana quarterback Clifton McDowell.

Colter Nuanez and Skyline Sports analyst Samuel Akem rap their way around the wide world of the FCS Playoffs, particularly the four teams from the Big Sky Conference remaining in the field of 16.

Colter Nuanez and Brooks Nuanez talk their way around the FCS Playoffs, particularly the draws for the four remaining Big Sky Conference teams. Colter is joined by Skyline Sports lead analyst Ty Gregorak (24:25) to talk about Montana State's daunting draw against North Dakota State plus look at Montana's favorable draw. Plus, hear from Andrew Houghton (57:24) on UC Davis's coaching change and how he sees the FCS Playoff games around the league.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Idaho head coach Jason Eck, who leads the No. 4 seeded Vandals into the second round of the FCS Playoffs this weekend against Southern Illinois. The Salukis shut out Nichols 35-0 in the first round last week.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Voice of the Griz Riley Corcoran to dissect Montana's 37-7 win over Montana State, muse about the first round of the FCS Playoffs and preview UM's second round game against No. 11 Delaware on Saturday night in Missoula.

Montana won its seventh straight game by thrashing rival Montana State 37-7 to end the regular season. The win sewed up the outright Big Sky Conference championship and secured the No. 2 seed in the FCS playoffs for UM.Montana received a first round bye and will take on Delaware in the second round Saturday night in MIssoula, Montana.The Blue Hens are 9-3 after a 36-34 win over Lafayette in the first round of the playoffs.The last time Delaware and Montana played was in 1993 when the Blue Hens posted a 49-48 win over the Griz in the first round of the Division I-AA playoffs.On Monday November 27, 2023, Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, DT Alex Gubner and QB Clifton McDowell addressed the media.

North Dakota State rolled Drake 66-3 on Saturday to move into the second round of the FCS Playoffs. The Bison will take on No. 6 Montana State, who is coming off a first round bye. NDSU ended Montana State's season in the 2018, 2019 and 2021 playoffs. The last time the two programs met, NDSU beat MSU 38-10 in the 2021 national title game. The last time North Dakota State played in Bozeman, the Bison won 42-17 in 2010. North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz hosted his weekly press conference to preview the matchup with the Bobcats. Audio provided by North Dakota State athletics. All Rights Reserved.

The Bobcats still received a bye in the FCS Playoffs and will host North Dakota State on December 2, 2023 in Bozeman, Montana. The Bison, winners of nine national championships since 2011, are 9-3 after a 66-3 win over Drake in the first round of the playoffs. The last time NDSU visited Bozeman came in the first round of the 2010 FCS Playoffs. The Bison won 42-17 against the Big Sky Conference champion Bobcats. On Monday November 27, 2023, Montana State third-year head coach Brent Vigen, an NDSU alum, addressed the media ahead of the matchup against his alma mater.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Brooks Nuanez (3:40) to talk about the ebbs and flows of the mindsets of fan bases based on rivalry results, the arch of the Montana-Montana State rivalry in its current iteration, the Griz excelling at Bobby Hauck's system, flexibility when it comes to bouncing back, Montana State's meltdown and why Sean Chambers didn't play. Colter is joined by Andrew Houghton (38:30) to debate All-Big Sky Conference lists and awards plus UC Davis's snub from the FCS Playoffs field. Colter is joined by Ty Gregorak (1:22:30) to talk about the unnecessary vitriol behind the Cat-Griz rivalry, his experience in Missoula, how the Griz have been able to become a completely lights out defense and what the playoff futures might hold for both UM and Montana State.

Colter Nuanez and Andrew Houghton of Skyline Sports talk about Idaho football's FCS Playoffs draw as the No. 4 seed, discuss all the Vandals who landed on the All-Big Sky Conference football lists and debate barometers of success now that that regular season is over and the playoffs are here.

Colter Nuanez and Brooks Nuanez dive into every single detail of Saturday's rivalry game pitting No. 4 Montana State at No. 3 Montana, the first Top 5 showdown in the 122-year history of the fierce rivalry. Ty Gregorak (48:10) joins Colter for a spirited conversation about his rivalry memories (he coached in 15 of them) and what are the keys on both sides for the Bobcats and the Griz.

Former Griz wide receiver Sammy Akem and ESPN MT producer Andrew Houghton joins Colter Nuanez for this week's ESPN Roundtable on Nuanez Now to talk about each and every matchup in this year's Montana-Montana State rivalry football game.

Vandals Weekly this week features Colter Nuanez interviewing Idaho head coach Jason Eck after the Vandals fell 31-29 to be eliminated from Big Sky Conference title contention last week. Andrew Houghton features Idaho running back Nick Romano to talk about coming back from injury during his career and to preview UI's rivalry game against Idaho State this week to finish the regular season.

Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports is joined by Riley Corcoran the Voice of the Griz to preview No. 4 Montana State at No. 3 Montana in the first Top 5 matchup in the 122-year history of the rivalry.

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck plus senior captains linebackers Braxton Hill, Levi Janacaro and center A.J. Forbes talk about the 122nd rendition of the rivalry against Montana State.

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen addressed the media ahead of the 122nd clash with rival Montana. The showdown is the first between Top 5 teams on both sides and the first for the outright league title in the 60-year history of the Big Sky Conference.

Colter Nuanez presents this week's slate of interviews, including Portland State head football coach Bruce Barnum (1:10), Eastern Washington head coach Aaron Best (16:40) and Montana State senior nickel back Level Price Jr. (

Colter Nuanez is joined by Andrew Houghton (0:57) to talk about the various season-ending scenarios around the Big Sky Conference, the regression of Eastern Washington to the middle of the Big Sky pack, different outcomes for the six teams that are currently 3-3 in league play and various seeding scenarios for the three title contenders (Montana, Montana State, Idaho). Colter and Samuel Akem (31:50) breaks down Montana's 34-7 win over Sacramento State, why the Griz are surging at such a level right now and what the postseason prospects are for Sacramento State plus some College Game Day scuttle. Colter and Ty Gregorak (1:12:50) analyze Montana State's big time bounce back by trouncing Northern Arizona, how the Bobcats reascend to looking like a true national title contender and end of the season scenarios across the Treasure State.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Idaho head coach Jason Eck to talk about earning a road win after an emotional home win over Montana State, which the Vandals did by winning 27-13 over Northern Colorado last week. Plus, Eck previews his team's matchup at Weber State on Saturday. Andrew Houghton shares an interview with Terez Traynor, a wide receiver who was one of the best in the Big Sky in 2021 before missing most of 2022 and returning this season.

Riley Corcoran, the Voice of the Griz, joins Colter Nuanez to talk about the beginning of basketball season, analysis on Montana football's five-game winning streak, Clifton McDowell's continued toughening, and what Griz team from the past the current Montana team reminds Colter of.

No. 3 Montana won for the fifth week in a row by ripping previously No. 7 Sacramento State 34-7 in Missoula, MontanaThe Griz are now 8-1 overall, including 5-1 in Big Sky Conference play as they head to Portland State for their final regular-season road game of the year. Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, senior quarterback Clifton McDowell (left) and senior defensive back Trajon Cotton addressed the media on November 6, 2023.

No. 5 Montana State scored on its first four offensive possessions to spark a 45-21 win over Northern Arizona to move to 5-1 in league play, 7-2 overall. Montana State hosts Eastern Washington (4-4) on Saturday November 11 in Bozeman, MT. It's the final regular-season home game of 2023.Montana State head coach Brent Vigen addressed the media on November 6, 2023.

Colter Nuanez presents a slate of interviews from Around Big Sky Conference football for the first week of November in 2023, including: - Sacramento State head coach Andy Thompson (2:45)- Northern Arizona head coach Chris Ball (16:50)- Sacramento State senior tight end Marshall Martin (31:25)- Northern Arizona senior center & captain Jonny Bottorff (38:16)- Montana State senior linebacker & captain Nolan Askelson (48:35)- Montana junior safety Jaxon Lee (1:02:21)- Montana sophomore linebacker Riley Wilson (1:11:15)

Colter Nuanez is joined by former Griz wide receiver and current Philadelphia Stars player Samuel Akem to break down all things Big Sky Conference, including how Idaho beat Montana State, the keys to the matchup between Sac State at Montana and the various scenarios and story lines coming down the pipe the last month of the regular season.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Idaho offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner and defensive coordinator Rob Aurich to break down Idaho's rise to the No. 3 team in the FCS thanks in part to last week's 24-21 win over Montana State.Andrew Houghton is joined by Idaho true freshman center Layton Vining, who's been throw to the fire against two of the top defensive fronts in the Big Sky (Montana, Montana State) over the last two weeks.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Skyline Sports lead analysts Andrew Houghton, Brooks Nuanez and Ty Gregorak to talk all things Big Sky Conference football. Colter & Houghton (2:20) answer questions like who's the best team in the Big Sky Conference, what are most fun November scenarios and is this Bobby Hauck's best coaching job at Montana?Colter and Brooks Nuanez (28:05) go in depth on what Brooks saw out of Montana true freshman quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat in his Griz debut in UM's 40-0 win over Northern Colorado plus analyze how Montana State bounces back from its first Big Sky Conference loss since November of 2021. Colter is joined by Ty Gregorak (1:13:40) dive deep into the factors that went into Montana State's 24-21 loss at Idaho, the recent resurrection of the Vandals, all the November scenarios in the Big Sky Conference and some thoughts on Sacramento State at Montana on November 4.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Riley Corcoran, the Voice of the Griz, to talk about the thriving Grizzly defense, the sudden emergence of Keeali'i Ah Yat, the scenarios for the chase for the Big Sky Conference title and Montana's path to it + a breakdown of Montana's Saturday night contest against No. 7 Sacramento State.

Montana won its fourth straight game by blasting Northern Colorado 40-0 on Saturday to move to 7-1. The Griz host No. 7 Sacramento State on November 3 in Missoula under the Washington-Grizzly Stadium lights. Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, senior linebacker Braxton Hill and junior wide receiver Junior Bergen addressed the media on October 30, 2023 to preview the game.

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen addressed the media on October 30, 2023 ahead of MSU's home game against Northern Arizona. Montana State is coming off a 24-21 loss at Idaho, just the second Big Sky Conference loss under Vigen in 21 league contests.

Colter Nuanez and Skyline Sports analyst Samuel Akem go around the Big Sky Conference, giving analysis on Montana State's win over Sac State last week, Montana's recent hot streak, and thoughts on this week's slate of games. Colter also presents this week's set of interviews including chats with Idaho State head coach Cody Hawkins (40:40), Northern Colorado Ed Lamb (52:40), Montana State junior tight end Ryan Lonergan (1:11:05), plus Colter Nuanez’s appearance on the KCSY Country morning show with Dave Wooten (1:20:46).

Ty Gregorak joins Colter Nuanez to dive deep into just what makes Montana State a true national title contender + some commentary on the recent fine play by Montana.Brooks Nuanez joins Colter (26:05) to review the revisionist history around Bobby Hauck's first stint at Montana, analyze Montana's recent hot streak and dive into what has helped Montana State rise to the top of the polls.

Colter Nuanez is joined by Jason Eck to preview No. 9 Idaho's home game against No. 2 Montana State on Saturday afternoon at the Kibbie Dome. Plus, Andrew Houghton chats with All-Big Sky cornerback Marcus Harris (19:30) about his path to Idaho and his thoughts on another big-time matchup for the Vandals.

No. 7 Montana posted a 23-21 win at then-No. 3 Idaho to enter its bye week on a three-game winning streak and move to 6-1 overall. Saturday, the Griz host winless Northern Colorado. On October 23, UM head coach Bobby Hauck, senior defensive tackle Alex Gubner and senior center A.J. Forbes addressed the media to preview Montana's final game of the month and first home game since September.

Montana State third-year head football coach Brent Vigen puts a bow on his team's 42-30 win at No. 4 Sacramento State last week and looks ahead to MSU's game at No. 9 Idaho on October 28, 2023.

Colter Nuanez presents his slate of interviews for the third week of October leading to the "Big Sky After Dark" matchup between No. 2 Montana State at No. 3 Sacramento State, the first clash between the two teams since 2019. Colter is joined by Montana State head coach Brent Vigen (3:30), Sacramento State head coach Andy Thompson (16:30), Sac State associate head coach and offensive line coach Kris Richardson (28:20), Montana State senior quarterback Sean Chambers (40:15), Sacramento State quarterback Kaiden Bennett (53:50), and Montana State offensive line coach Al Johnson (1:06:02) break down all the keys to the game, which kicks at 8:30 p.m. MT on Saturday night and will be aired on ESPN 2.