Big Sky Breakdown

Ryan Tootell joins Colter Nuanez to discuss Montana and Montana State entering the second half of the season, including: - Keali'i Ah Yat is the best Griz quarterback since....?- Why Brent Vigen has such a steady hand and NEVER drops games in which his team is the decided favorite- Montana's offensive production despite a shaky offensive line- Montana State's run game coming alive and now pairing with a surging pass game and how dangerous it makes the MSU offense- An evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the Griz defense- Which running back duo would you rather have - Bobcats or Grizzlies? - And is Dr. Luke Wood the most sophomoric smack talker in the history of the Big Sky....

No. 4 Montana (7-0) plays at Sacramento State (4-3) on Friday night on ESPN2 in Sacramento. Sac first-year head coach Brennan Marion + running back Rodney Hammond Jr., joined Colter Nuanez to preview the matchup.

Montana State junior captain offensive lineman Titan Fleishmann joins Colter Nuanez for a mid-season update and a preview of MSU's road game at Cal Poly on Saturday evening.

In this week's Akem's Analysis, I preview the big-time, much-anticipated matchup taking place in Sacramento between Montana & Sac State. There has been a ton of talk on social media, and now all that's left is the competition on the field. NDSU & SDSU face off in a big-time matchup in Brookings with MVFC and playoff implications on the line. Montana State returns to the field after a bye week, and they go on the road to play Cal Poly. UC Davis is also back from their second bye week to play against Northern Colorado. Could we potentially see an upset? All of this and a bunch more in this week's Akem's Analysis.SPORTS BET MONTANA LINK: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en0:00 - Intro2:39 Montana vs Sac State Preview14:13 - Montana State vs Cal Poly Preview22:32 - North Dakota State vs South Dakota State Preview31:10 - UC Davis vs Northern Colorado Preview37:58 - South Dakota vs Illinois State Preview44:41 - No Huddle Notes56:10 - Final Thoughts56:54 - End

In this week's Akem's Analysis, I talk about some of the biggest games that happened in FCS football this weekend. To start, we look at the big-time win that Sacramento State had at home against the Northern Colorado Bears. Both teams were 3-3 going into the game, and the winner now has a chance to become a playoff team with the right luck. We also look at 2 games in the MVFC, UND vs SIU, and Illinois State vs YSU. Both games had big performances, but none bigger than Beau Brundgard, who is looking like a serious Walter Payton candidate. He absolutely put the team on his back. At the end, I get into some No Huddle Notes, and in that segment, I start by giving my thoughts on the comments of Sac State's president, Dr. Luke Wood. Following that, I talk about some of the big storylines from the weekend, so stay tuned in for the whole episode.SPORTS BET MONTANA LINK: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en0:00 - Intro2:30 - Sac State vs Northern Colorado Recap13:13 - Tarleton State vs West Georgia Recap23:13 - North Dakota vs Southern Illinois Recap32:36 - Illinois State vs Youngstown State Recap41:43 - No Huddle Notes41:55 - Dr. Luke Wood Montana Comments 47:39 - What Happened To Idaho?52:04 - Lamar Remains Undefeated Against FCS53:47 - Wofford Defeats Furman54:47 - Incarante Word Falls To 2-556:37 - Harvard Remains Undefeated57:54 - Monmouth Loses Starting QB59:32 - Presbyterian Continues To Dominate1:00:53 - Duquesne Looking to Earn The NEC AQ1:02:31 - Final Thoughts1:04:06 - End

Ben Wineman spent three years as a sports reporter at KTMF & SWX before becoming the lead anchor for Non-Stop Local. Ben is a proud Washington State alum who also is a diehard Seattle Mariners fan & a Montana Grizzly season ticket holder. Ben joins Colter Nuanez to talk about Game 7 heartbreaks and the 7-0 start for Griz football.

Former Montana State player and coach Michael Rider joins Colter Nuanez to talk about handling the hype and blocking out the noise if you are Montana State + the duo talks about MSU's road game at Cal Poly on Saturday.

Idaho (2-5) is lost 21-14 at Eastern Washington for its fourth straight loss last weekend in Cheney. The Vandals are back home against winless Portland State on Saturday. Wide receiver Marquawn McCraney and head coach Thomas Ford Jr. joined Colter Nuanez of Skyline to preview the week.

No. 4 Montana is off to its first 8-0 start since 2009 thanks to a 43-21 win over Sacred Heart in Missoula last weekend. Andrew Schmidt, a former Griz RB and NFL agent, joins Colter Nuanez weekly to breakdown all things Montana & the Big Sky Conference. This week, Andrew reads listen comments, talks about Montana's OL issues and goes in on Sac State for their sophomoric smack talking.

No. 4 Montana and No. 5 Montana State at the midpoint of the season on winning streaks. The Griz have won 7 straight while MSU has won 5 in a row. Montana plays at Sac State on Friday night while Montana State plays at Cal Poly on Saturday. Brooks Nuanez & Colter Nuanez talk about national championship standards, OL play, Walter Payton Award candidates and matchups this week.

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck along with seniors Elijawah Tolbert & Josh Gale addressed the media ahead of UM's trip to Sacramento to take on Sac State on Friday night.

Montana State took its bye week last week. The Bobcats are on a five-game winning streak entering Saturday's matchup with Cal Poly (3-4) in San Luis Obispo, California.

In this Week's Akem's Analysis, Keenan and I recap Montana's 7th victory of the season against Sacred Heart. Keali'i Ah Yat is beginning to set himself apart from the rest of the conference, and Keenan thinks he could be a Big Sky OPOY candidate. We also discuss Sac State President Dr. Luke Wood's comments regarding their upcoming ESPN2 game against the Grizzlies. We also look at the rest of the Big Sky and see where everyone stacks up. All of this is in this week's Akem's Analysis, so stay tuned in for the whole video.SPORTS BET MONTANA LINK: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, sophomore QB Keali'i Ah Yat and senior defensive end Hunter Peck along with Sacred Heart head coach Mark Nofri addressed the media following Montana's 43-21 win over the Pioneers in Missoula on October 18, 2025.

No. 5 Montana moved to 6-0 with a 28-9 win on homecoming over Cal Poly. UM hosts its last non-conf game against Sacred Heart on Saturday in Missoula. Jordan Tripp was an FCS All-American who became an NFL Draft pick during his time at Montana and after graduating from UM. Tripp, now the color commentator for Scripps Sports for Griz broadcasts, joins Colter Nuanez weekly to break down all things Griz football.

Brooks Nuanez joins Colter Nuanez to break down where Montana and Montana State are at and what concerns they have heading into the second half of the season.

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen joined Colter Nuanez to give a mid-season report on his team with MSU on a bye and the Bobcats riding a five-game winning streak.

In this week's Akem's Analysis, I look into the Montana vs Sacred Heart game. The Pioneers are 5-2, but their schedule has been suspect, and the 30.5 point spread would also suggest that. Northern Colorado takes on Sacramento State in a big time matchup that could send shockwaves through the entire Big Sky Conference. I also preview some of the games in the Missouri Valley and one colossal game in the UAC. Tarleton State has not been tested in a major way yet this season, but they get their first big tests against West Georgia. All of this and some No Huddle Notes at the end on some National FCS topics. 0:00 - Intro2:59 - Montana vs Sacred Heart Preview13:18 - Northern Colorado vs Sac State Preview 20:05 - North Dakota vs SIU Preview 27:28 - Illinois State vs YSU Preview34:31 - Tarleton State vs West Georgia Preview42:30 - No Huddle Notes55:46 - Final Thoughts57:15 - End

Skyline Sports analyst Samuel Akem, a former Griz wide receiver, joins Colter Nuanez for reactions to the first FCS Playoff Committee's Top 10 rankings for 2025 and unveil our latest Big Sky Conference power rankings.

Andrew Schmidt, a former Griz RB and NFL agent, joins Colter Nuanez weekly to breakdown all things Montana & the Big Sky Conference. This week, Andrew talks about Montana's homecoming win & its struggles in-state recruiting in recent years.

Montana State is on a five-game winning streak entering its bye week. The Bobcats drilled Idaho State 48-14. Skyline analyst Mike Rider gives his mid-season report, including surprises so far for the Bobcats as well as areas Montana State needs to improve entering the stretch run.

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen joins Colter Nuanez on 102.9 FM ESPN MT to discuss his team at the mid-point of their season as MSU is on a bye this week with a trip to Cal Poly coming next week.

Idaho (2-4) is lost 49-33 to Northern Colorado for its third straight loss last weekend in Moscow. The Vandals take on Eastern Washington in Cheney on Saturday. Offensive lineman Layton Vining and head coach Thomas Ford Jr. joined Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports to preview the week.

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem will be talking about the Bobcats' dominant win in Bozeman on Saturday against the Bengals. Their defense continues to impress. He also looks at UC Davis and their continued rise as their freshman QB plays better and better by the week. NDSU dominated another ranked opponent and they look unstoppable. He touches on Northern Colorado and their big time win against ranked Idaho.0:00 - Intro 1:59 - Montana State vs Idaho State Recap 12:27 - UC Davis vs NAU Recap 21:00 - NDSU vs Southern Illinois Recap 29:51 - Northern Colorado vs Idaho Recap 38:35 - North Dakota vs YSU Recap 46:05 - No Huddle Notes 1:01:12 - Final Thoughts 1:02:25 - End

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem & Keenan Curran discuss what they liked and didn't like from Montana's 28-9 victory against Cal Poly. They also take a look at the rest of the Big Sky and evaluate how they stack up currently.

Ryan Tootell joins Colter Nuanez to talk about the head coaching opening for Oregon State football and how it might impact the Big Sky and Treasure State. Plus, the duo talks about Montana allowing just 21 yards in the second half of a 28-9 win over Cal Poly and Montana State rolling up almost 400 yards on the ground in a 48-14 win over Idaho State.

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck along with safety Diezel Wilkinson & running back Stevie Rocker Jr., addressed the media ahead of UM's non-conference game against Sacred Heart (5-2), an FCS independent.

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, junior running back Eli Gillman and senior cornerback Kenzel Lawler addressed the media following UM's 28-9 win over Cal Poly on a homecoming Saturday in Missoula.

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen, freshman cornerback Carson Williams (12:04) who had a forced fumble and running back Adam Jones (18:29) after he rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown, addressed the media following MSU's 48-14 win over Idaho State.

Jordan Tripp joins Colter Nuanez to talk about Montana's adjustments against Idaho State, the Bengals' dangerous nature as an upstart, UM's lack of sacks, Michael Wortham's versatility and more as the Griz get set to host Cal Poly on Saturday afternoon in Missoula.

Montana State is riding a four-game winning streak after a 34-10 beatdown of No. 13 Northern Arizona. The Bobcats have allowed 34 points in regulation to FCS opponents so far this 2025 season. Former Bobcat player & coach Mike Rider joins Colter Nuanez to break down how Montana State's defense has been so stout so far this campaign.

Montana State redshirt freshman wide receiver Jabez Woods joins Colter Nuanez on ESPN MT for this week's Montana State Minute. Plus, stick around to hear from MSU cornerbacks coach Trent Greene (10:12) in this week's MSU assistant coach interview.

Idaho is 2-3 coming off its bye. The last time out, the Vandals lost 41-30 to No. 4 Montana in Missoula. UI hosts Northern Colorado (2-3) this weekend in Moscow. Idaho senior DL Sam Brown & head coach Thomas Ford Jr. joined Colter Nuanez to break down the bye and preview the game.

Andrew Schmidt, a former Griz RB and NFL agent, joins Colter Nuanez weekly to breakdown all things Montana & the Big Sky Conference. This week, Andrew talks about "A Few Good Men", Michael Wortham for Heisman, Dr. Luke Wood's vision and much more.

Montana and Montana State are each off to 3-1 starts in Big Sky Conference play with the Battle for the Main Line Trophy coming up in Missoula on Saturday. The Griz are off to their best start in more than 30 years, having won 11 of 12 entering Saturday's rivalry matchup with MSU. Montana State endured a rigorous non-conference schedule and sits at 3-1 in league play after beating league powers NAU & Northern Colorado. Griz senior libero Alexis Batezel, the reigning Big Sky Player of the Week, along with sophomore outside hitter Delaney Russell along with Montana State senior libero Lauren Lindseth & head coach Matt Houk joined Colter Nuanez for this week's ESPN Roundtable.

Ryan Tootell joins Colter Nuanez to chat about Montana's comeback win over Idaho State, Montana State's smothering defensive effort at Northern Arizona, Michael Wortham's prowess, the collision course the Griz and Cats seem to be on and much more.

Colter Nuanez and Brooks Nuanez talk about Montana State's suffocating defense (0:00), Montana's "Casino Royale" defense and why it's a bad matchup against Idaho State's quick-hitting spread (10:10), what the Griz could do to get more pressure (16:47), Taco Dowler's growing legend as a punt returner and how he compares to Junior Bergen (24:51), the impact of freshmen receivers like Brooks Davis and Jabez Woods on both sides of the rivalry (29:46) and what the best comparisons are for budding Griz star Michael Wortham (34:16) as Wortham is coming off Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck along with sophomore linebacker Clay Oven and senior wide receiver/returner Michael Wortham addressed the media ahead of UM's homecoming game against Cal Poly on Monday.

Montana State fifth-year head coach Brent Vigen shared analysis of his team's 34-10 win over No. 13 Northern Arizona last week and previewed his team's game Saturday against Idaho State in Bozeman.

Blake Hempstead sits down with veteran Billings sportswriter Greg Rachac and veteran Billings TV anchor Scott Breen about their many years serving in Montana media.

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Samuel Akem talks about Montana State and how they have continued to ascend. He looks at their road win against NAU and how dominant it was. He also looked into UC Davis and their continued winning ways. They played a close one against Cal Poly, but their young QB ultimately made the winning plays in the end. NDSU and SDSU both played close-ranked games on the road, but both came out with the win.0:00 - Intro 3:10 - Montana State vs NAU Recap 13:24 - UC Davis vs Cal Poly Recap23:13 - NDSU vs Illinois State Recap 33:25 - SDSU vs Youngstown State Recap 43:29 - No-Huddle Notes 56:36 - Final Thoughts 57:35 - End

In this week's Akem's Analysis, Keenan Curran joins Samuel Akem to recap the wild game between Montana and Idaho State. Everyone knew Idaho State had a good offense, but they definitely took advantage of some weaknesses in the defense. Jordan Cooke is a difference maker, and it showed.

Northern Arizona quarterback Ty Pennington joins Colter Nuanez to talk about the No. 13 Lumberjacks hosting No. 5 Montana State on Saturday.

Montana is 4-0 for the first time since 2022 and the second time since 2009 entering October. . Jordan Cooke, Idaho State's strong-armed starting QB, joined Colter Nuanez to preview Montana at Idaho State.

"In this Akem's Analysis, I talked with Brock Galvin to not only look at the state of the UC Davis Aggies and where they currently sit. But we also previewed their matchup this week against Cal Poly. It was a great conversation with two former players."

"In this Akem's Analysis, I talked with Keaton Gillogly, the voice of the Bobcats. We talked about where the Bobcats currently are this season, then we previewed what to expect this week in Flagstaff. He has all the insight to give, since he calls all of the games; we had a great conversation."

No. 4 Montana and No. 5 Montana State come into October on winning streaks. The Griz have won 4 straight while MSU has won three in a row.UM plays at Idaho State for its first road game of the season. MSU plays at Northern Arizona for its first road game in a month. Brooks Nuanez & Colter Nuanez diagnose the most surprising players for UM & MSU on this week's Big Sky Breakdown.

Jordan Tripp, the TV color commentator for Scripps Sports covering Montana football games, joins Colter Nuanez to talk about Hunter Peck's progress, the emergence of a second Griz CB, Micah Harper's man-to-man abilities, Peyton Wing's targeting ejection and Montana's upcoming road trip to Idaho State.

Trey Bender, the television play by play broadcaster for Griz football on Scripps Sports, joins Colter Nuanez to talk all things University of Montana and Big Sky Conference on this week's ESPN Roundtable.

Montana State offensive line head coach Matt Smith joins Colter Nuanez to talk about his team's reshuffle, the emergence of freshman Braden Zimmer and MSU's matchup at Northern Arizona on Saturday.