Potato pride: Idaho, Idaho State football teams introduce new rivalry trophy

The University of Idaho and Idaho State reignited their football rivalry with the announcement of the Potato State Trophy over the weekend.

The 19.4-pound traveling trophy made of North Idaho Douglas fir features a large, hand-carved potato and a metal cutout of the Gem State engraved with each school’s logo.

This year’s rivalry game will be played Saturday, Nov. 23, at the newly named ICCU Dome in Pocatello.

Idaho farmers produce about 13 billion pounds of potatoes each year, generating $1.34 billion in revenue in 2023, according to the Idaho Potato Commission . Many of those farms are in Southern Idaho, near Pocatello, and U of I plays a big role in potato research.

“Potatoes are synonymous with Idaho, and the University of Idaho is a big part of the potato industry,” Idaho coach Jason Eck said in a news release . “We are excited to compete for the Potato State Trophy.”

The Potato State Trophy replaces the retired Battle of the Domes Trophy, which was discontinued ahead of the 2023 season after the trophy sponsor adjusted its sponsorship with both institutions.

“The Big Sky Conference is the greatest conference in FCS football, complete with rich traditions and storied rivalries that go back over 50 years,” Idaho State coach Cody Hawkins said.

“Having grown up in Idaho, I understand the great privilege it is to coach at one of these prestigious universities and am excited to be part of the new chapter of our rivalry with the Vandals. The Potato State is my home, and I’m excited to get our Bengals ready to compete for the Potato State Trophy for years to come.”

Idaho leads the all-time series 32-13, including a 3-2 edge since returning to the Big Sky in 2018. The Vandals won last year’s game 63-21 in Moscow.

Big Sky releases preseason polls

The Montana football team was picked to win the Big Sky in separate preseason polls conducted by the media and the league’s 12 head coaches.

The Grizzlies, last season’s FCS runners-up, received 10 of 12 first-place votes and 120 points in the coaches’ poll and 26 first-places votes and 442 points in the media poll. Montana State was second in both polls.

Idaho landed in the No. 3 spot in both polls after making a run to the FCS quarterfinals last season for the first time since 1993. But the Vandals will need to lean on their defense in 2024 after losing many of their offensive stars to the transfer portal . U of I does not have a single senior offensive player on its roster.

Heading into its second season under Hawkins, Idaho State was tabbed to finish 10th in the Big Sky according to its coaches and eighth by the media.

Vallivue grad honored by Big Sky

UC Davis senior running back Lan Larison, a Vallivue High graduate, was named the Big Sky Preseason Offensive MVP during the league’s kickoff weekend at Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Spokane, Washington.

Larison, the reigning Big Sky offensive MVP, finished the 2023 season with 1,101 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns despite missing three games because of an injury. His 15 total touchdowns ranked second in the Big Sky and eighth in the FCS last season.

The Vandals had five players make the preseason all-conference team: Jake Cox (TE), Dallas Afalava (DL), Keyshawn James-Newby (DL), Tommy McCormick (DB) and Abraham Williams (KR).

Senior safety Calvin Pitcher was the only player recognized for Idaho State.