Cross Division Play Complete, Leaders Emerge
After interdivisional play, the top teams in the Big Sky have begun to emerge. In the North, Cal Poly is the top dog, leading the division by one game over Portland State. St. Mary’s and Weber State trail by 2 games heading into divisional play. Still plenty to be decided, but the Mustangs are clearly in the driver’s seat.
In the South, it’s slightly more muddled as Northern Arizona currently holds a one game lead over Sam Houston State, Texas State and Montana State. The games within the division will determine who emerges out of the division.
Northern Arizona (8-0) vs Portland State (6-2): The defending conference champion versus the up and comer and the Lumberjacks showed why they are the defending champs, soundly defeating the Vikings 37-15. Willie Lynch ran the show for the Lumberjacks, passing for 402 yards and 3 scores, while RB Anthony Ziegler and WR Robert Underwood did the heavy lifting in the receiving game, accounting for 163 yds and 205 yds, respectively. The Vikings were led by their kicking game, Freshman Ronnie Webster accounted for all 5 Portland State points with 5 field goals.
Weber State (3-5) at Montana State (5-3): The Bobcats jumped out to a 31-13 early 4th quarter lead, but had to hold on against a strong Wildcat comeback in the 4th. Richard Boucher scored from 1 yard out to get the Wildcats within 2, but they could not convert the 2 point conversion. Joseph Davis continues to have a great season for the Bobcats, rushing for 148 yards and a score. He also pulled in 7 grabs for 60 to lead Montana State. RB Robert Mitchell led the Wildcat attack, hauling in 5 passes for 119 yards and a score.
Cal Poly (8-0) at Stephen F. Austin (5-3): The Mustangs toyed around for the first quarter before throttling the SFA Lumberjacks 41-14. It was the Thomas Cooley show again for Cal Poly. Cooley amassed 299 rushing yards and two scores to lead the Mustang attack.
Cal State (2-6) at Texas State (6-2): Jerry Gardner helped to put this game in the win column for the Bobcats in a 62-9 thrashing of California State. Gardner threw for 5 scores, distributing the ball to 10 different receivers. On defense, the Bobcats forced 5 turnovers, led by DB Donald Garner’s two interceptions.
St. Mary's (5-3) at Idaho State (2-6): The Gael's Bradley Weaver threw for 5 scores and an opportunistic defense grappled 5 Bengal interceptions in an easy 51-0 win in Pocatello. Joseph Dukes was on the receiving end of 3 Weaver TD passes for 110 yards. Five different Gael defenders hauled in an interception in an incredible display of defense.
Eastern Washington (4-4) at Sam Houston State (7-1): The Bearkats had 671 yards of total offense and forced 5 Eagle turnovers to trounce Eastern Washington 78-3. RB Danny Blackwell accounted for 352 yards of total offense for Sam Houston as the Bearkats jumped out to a 52-3 halftime lead and cruised home to victory.
