From the Fringe…Glad the Vandals are back

It was a soggy September day in 1994. Washington-Grizzly Stadium was still the small venue that featured grass end endzones and crowds of under 15,000 fans. 

Of course, by then, the Griz were on the rise, with junior Dave Dickinson already one of the best quarterbacks in Montana history, and popularity was skyrocketing.

But, for me, that’s the day everything really changed for Montana football, and it was all because of then arch rival Idaho.

That day, the Vandals were ranked No. 2 in the then 1-AA. They had a ferocious running back and a passing attack to rival anyone else in the pass-happy Big Sky Conference. They had also beaten Montana two straight times.

But little did my friends and I know, everything was about to change. For Montana, and Idaho.

That day was the first the Griz ever ran out through smoke. And the Griz went on to destroy the Vandals, and the game even made Sportscenter that night. The win catapulted Montana to an eventual Big Sky title and an appearance in the FCS semifinals.

Of course, one year later, Montana and Idaho played an epic 100-plus point game in Moscow in a year in which the Griz would win the national title.

Those were my two Big Sky memories when it comes to the Montana-Idaho rivalry because, then, it was pretty much over,

The Vandals became the third rival of the Griz to leave the Big Sky, following Nevada and Boise State. And while they played each other several times as FBS-FCS games over the next 20 years, the loss of Idaho as a real rival of both the Griz and Bobcats could not be understated.

And boy did they go their separate ways. Montana would go on to win FCS championship, the Bobcats have had an incredible run at times as well, while their neighbor in Moscow, well, they were one of the worst FBS programs for much of their time in the next level. Idaho never really found a home or any success in the FBS.

Thankfully, though, that’s over.

Reluctantly and in some ways with arrogance, the Vandals came back to the FCS and the Big Sky. And while early on, they weren’t happy about it, Vandal fans and the entire Idaho community now know, it was the right move.

Idaho is back in the Top 10 in the FCS, much like the days when it was a 1-AA power. With that, Vandal pride is also back. The Kibbie Dome is selling out, and and Idaho football’s popularity is surging.

Also, the rivalries with Montana and Montana State, as well as Eastern Washington have also been revived. This season, it’s been incredible to watch Idaho play both the Griz and Cats as three of the best teams in the Big Sky and the FCS.

Yes, Idaho is in the right place, and it’s about time. The Vandals are really good, and honestly, they’re going to make the Big Sky, as well as the Griz and Bobcats, better. They’ll have to be to keep up because as they showed last week, the Vandals aren’t going anywhere.

Editor’s Note: No. 4 Montana hosts No. 7 Sacramento State Saturday at 6 p.m. in Missoula. No. 6 Montana State hosts Northern Arizona Saturday at 2 p.m. in Bozeman.