Idaho Vandals football

History

Main article: History of Idaho Vandals football

The University of Idaho fielded its first football team in 1893. It wasn't until 1917 that the program earned its nickname, the Vandals, after the UI basketball team under alumnus Hec Edmundson played defense with such ferocity that they "vandalized" their opponents and, thus, the nickname of Vandals was adopted for all school sports.

Conference affiliations

Timeline

• Independent (1894–1907)
• Northwest Conference (1908–1925)
• Pacific Coast Conference (1922–1958)
• Independent (1959–1964)
• Big Sky Conference (1965–1995){{efn|Starting in 1968, the Big Sky competed at the highest level (university division) in all sports except football (college division). The sole exception was the Vandals, in the university division for football through 1977 (except 1967 and 1968). Football moved to the new Division I-AA in 1978, including Idaho. So, the Vandals football team competed in:
  • University Division from 1965 to 1966
  • College Division from 1967 to 1968
  • University Division from 1969 to 1972
  • Division I from 1973 to 1977
  • Division I-AA (now FCS) from 1978 to 1995.}}
• Big West Conference (1996–2000)
• Sun Belt Conference (2001–2004)
• Western Athletic Conference (2005–2012)
• FBS Independent (2013)
• Sun Belt Conference (2014–2017)
• Big Sky Conference (2018–present)

Conference history

The Idaho football program began competing in 1893, and was a member of the Pacific Coast Conference from 1922 to 1958. It was then an independent until 1965, when it began league play in the Big Sky Conference. At the time, the other four football programs in the conference were members of the College Division (today's Division II), while Idaho remained a member of the University Division (today's Division I) through 1977, except for an involuntary demotion for 1967 and 1968. It maintained its status by playing a majority of games against University Division opponents.

A charter member of the Big Sky in 1963, Idaho did not participate in league play for football until 1965, the Big Sky's third year, after the conference demanded it. With its upper division status, the Vandals were ineligible for the College Division (D-II) playoffs. Notably, in 1971, the Vandals won their first outright conference title in school history. However, runner-up Boise State received the Big Sky's automatic berth. Because of its hybrid status, Idaho requested to retain its higher allotment of football scholarships (75) than the other conference members (62), which was expectedly disallowed. The university received an invitation in 1973 to join the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (later the Big West Conference), but the state board of education (concurrent board of regents) rejected it by a vote of 4 to 3. The Big Sky moved up to the new Division I-AA in 1978 (while Idaho moved down).

Idaho experienced its best years in football from 1985 to 1995, when it made the I-AA national playoffs in ten of 11 seasons with four different head coaches, reaching the semifinals twice. After 18 years in Division I-AA, Idaho returned to Division I-A competition (now called the FBS) in 1996 in the Big West.

Idaho rejoined the Sun Belt Conference in 2014 after a season as an independent in 2013, and eight seasons in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), which dropped football after the 2012 season. The Vandals were previously in the Sun Belt (also football only) from 2001 through 2004, after the Big West dropped football.

On August 18, 2012, Idaho was cleared to stay in the Football Bowl Subdivision as an independent after the WAC announced it would drop football effective with the end of the 2012 season. Idaho would only remain a football independent for the 2013 season; on March 27 of that year, the Sun Belt Conference announced that Idaho would return as a football-only member starting with the 2014 season. Nearly two years later in 2016, the Sun Belt Conference announced via teleconference that neither the University of Idaho nor New Mexico State University would be renewed after the 2017 football season. In 2018, Idaho resumed full membership in the Big Sky Conference, which participates in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Conference championships

The Vandals have won 11 conference championships in their history, nine in the Big Sky.

: Co-champions

NCAA Division I-AA/FCS playoffs

For 18 seasons, from 1978 to 1995, Idaho was a member of NCAA Division I-AA, and in 2018 returned to compete in what is now called the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Vandals have participated in the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs 14 times, compiling an all-time record of . Idaho is 6–5 at home and 2–9 on the road, with a 4–8 record in the first round (2–4 at home, 2–4 away).

The program's best advancements were to the national semifinals in 1988 and 1993, but both seasons ended with road losses by large margins to the eventual national champions. The 1982 and 1990 teams advanced to the quarterfinals, but both lost close road games to the eventual national champions.

• I-AA/FCS playoff field: 4 teams (1978–80), 8 teams (1981), 12 teams (1982–85), 16 teams (1986–2009), 24 teams (2013–present)

Bowl games

In their time in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Idaho participated in three bowl games, all in Boise. The Vandals had a 3–0 record.

Head coaches

:^ Interim head coach – Gesser coached the final four games of 2012 after Akey was relieved on October 21.

Rivalries

Boise State

Main article: Boise State–Idaho football rivalry

The University of Idaho formerly enjoyed an in-state rivalry with Boise State University. The Boise State–Idaho rivalry began with a Bronco victory in the first meeting in 1971. They met every year through 2010, and with the exception of four years, (2001–2004), the matchup was a conference game. The rivalry was dominated by streaks as Idaho won 12 straight years from 1982 to 1993, while Boise State won the most recent 12 games between 1999 and 2010, mostly by large margins. BSU leads the rivalry with a series record of 22–17–1 (). Since Boise State's move to the Mountain West Conference in 2011, Boise State has refused to play Idaho home-and-home in football. In response, Idaho has refused to play Boise State at ExtraMile Arena for men's basketball. As of 2025, no future games for football or men's basketball are scheduled.

Idaho State

Main article: Idaho–Idaho State football rivalry

The University of Idaho enjoys another in-state rivalry with Idaho State University. The rivalry was at its most competitive in the 1970s and 1980s, with neither team three-peating. Idaho has won eleven of the last fifteen and leads the overall series at . Idaho's move into the Football Bowl Subdivision put the rivalry on hold for several years, the two schools only playing each other four times during Idaho's stay in the FBS. The series was revived in 2018 when Idaho dropped back to FCS and rejoined the Big Sky Conference in football (its other sports rejoined in 2014). Idaho leads 5–3 against Idaho State since rejoining the FCS.

With Idaho's rejoining of the Big Sky Conference in 2018, Idaho Central Credit Union sponsored a rivalry series titled "Battle of the Domes", which was applied to multiple sports. Idaho State was the first of the pair to play its home games indoors, opening the ICCU Dome (originally ASISU Minidome, later Holt Arena) in 1970. The Kibbie Dome in Moscow was enclosed in 1975, after four years as an outdoor venue; the last two outdoor games in this series were played there in 1971 and 1973, then known as new Idaho Stadium.

Ahead of the 2023 season, the Battle of the Domes branding was retired after Idaho Central Credit Union adjusted it's sponsorship with both institutions. A temporary trophy was created by Idaho head coach Jason Eck, who fashioned a Mr. Potato Head to the base of the original Battle of the Domes trophy. In 2024, the rivalry's new trophy was officially introduced, a large potato carved out of douglas fir alongside a metal cutout of Idaho, dubbed the Potato State Trophy. Idaho won first possession of the trophy after defeating Idaho State 40–17 in the 2024 season. The following year, Idaho State defeated Idaho at the Kibbie Dome by a score of 37–16, ending a four game losing streak and earning their first possession of the trophy.

Montana

Main article: Little Brown Stein

The University of Idaho also enjoys a rivalry with the University of Montana. Known as the Little Brown Stein game, Idaho and Montana first played in 1903 and have played 84 times, and the stein was introduced in 1938, at the 25th meeting. Idaho leads the overall series , which also includes two Division I-AA playoff wins at home in the 1980s. Montana has had the upper hand since 1991, winning thirteen of the last sixteen. During Idaho's stay in the Football Bowl Subdivision from 1996 to 2017, the teams met five times, with Montana winning four. The schools are about 200 mi apart; Moscow and Missoula are on opposite sides of the lower Idaho Panhandle, separated by the Bitterroot Mountains over Lolo Pass.

Both were members of the old Pacific Coast Conference (the forerunner of today's Pac-12); Montana departed after the 1949 season, and the PCC disbanded in the summer of 1959. The universities were charter members of the Big Sky Conference in 1963, (although Idaho remained an independent in football until 1965) and their final season as conference opponents was in 1995. While Montana has been in the Big Sky since its inception, Idaho has changed its conference affiliation no fewer than five times since 1995: Idaho moved to the Big West for all sports in 1996, returning to Division I-A after 18 years in I-AA. After the 2000 season, the Big West dropped football. Idaho became a football-only member of the Sun Belt Conference in 2001 while remaining a full Big West member. Idaho joined the WAC for all sports in 2005 as part of a major NCAA conference realignment. After the WAC experienced a near-complete membership turnover in the early 2010s, it dropped football after the 2012 season. Idaho football was an FBS independent for one season in 2013, then returned to the Big Sky in 2014 except for football, which rejoined the Sun Belt. Idaho dropped back to the FCS in 2018 and resumed football membership in the Big Sky. Since rejoining the conference, Montana leads Idaho 5–1.

Washington State

Main article: Battle of the Palouse

Known as the Battle of the Palouse, the first football game between the University of Idaho and Washington State University was played in November 1894 and resulted in a win for Washington State. The game in 1898 was not played because Idaho had an ineligible ringer from Lapwai, F.J. McFarland, a recent All-American from Carlisle. The Vandals' first-ever forward pass was attempted against the Cougars in 1907: it was completed for a touchdown from a drop-kick formation in the fourth quarter and led to a 5–4 victory.

Washington State has dominated the local rivalry, holding a 73–16–3 lead. The record since 1926 is even more dominant, with a 58–5–2 advantage for the Cougars. The longest winning streak for Idaho was three games (1923–1925), and has only five victories since that three-peat (1954, 1964, 1965, 1999, & 2000) and two ties (1927, 1950) to offset the 56 losses. The games were skipped in 1969 and 1971, which was unfortunate for Idaho as the 1971 Vandals posted one of the best records (8–3) in school history, while WSU was 4–7. The rivalry became increasingly one-sided as WSU dominated in the 1970s (except for 1974) and the original series ended, following the 1978 game. From 1979 to 1997, the game was played just twice (1982, and 1989) until the ten-year renewal from 1998 to 2007. Since their last wins in 1999 and 2000, Idaho has been physically outmatched in most of the ten games; the game has been played only three times since 2007: in 2013, 2016, and 2022, the most recent was a competitive seven-point margin.

As two universities are in close proximity, from 1938 to 1968 there was a tradition called The Loser's Walk, where during the week following the game students of the losing school walked from their own campus to the winners', then receive rides back home from the winning side. This has frequently been misreported as students walking back to their own campus immediately following the game. In 1954, the walk made national news when about 2,000 students from Washington State College made the trek east from Pullman to Moscow after the Cougars lost to Idaho for the first time in 29 years.

In a span of less than five months, from November 1969 to April 1970, both schools' aged wooden stadiums (Idaho's Neale Stadium and WSU's Rogers Field) burned down due to suspected arson. The WSU–Idaho game in 1970 was dubbed the Displaced Bowl, which was held in Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane on September 19. The Cougars won the game (their only win that season), as well as the next ten against the Vandals. The 1970 game was the first in the rivalry played on AstroTurf, which was new to Joe Albi that season. In 1978, the NCAA split Division I football in two: I-A (now FBS) and I-AA (now FCS). Washington State was in Division I-A as part of the Pac-10 Conference and Idaho downgraded to I-AA as part of the Big Sky Conference, whose other football members moved up from Division II. In the late 1970s, I-A football programs were allowed 50% more scholarships and twice as many assistant coaches as I-AA teams.

After ten years of the renewed rivalry, Vandals head coach Robb Akey, previously WSU's defensive coordinator, said in 2008 that he preferred the game not be played every year, instead saying he would prefer it as a "once-in-a-while thing." Only one game was played during Akey's tenure, in his first season in 2007, and he was fired in October 2012. The meeting in 2013 on September 21 was a one-year revival, and WSU won 56–6 in 2016. The Cougars won 24–17 in 2022, but the Vandals were significantly more competitive under first-year head coach Jason Eck. Another close game was played in 2025, Idaho losing by only three points, 13–10. Future games are scheduled in 2027 and 2029.

College Football Hall of Fame

Erickson began his head coaching career in 1982 at Idaho, where he became the first Vandal head coach since 1938 to post consecutive winning seasons and the first in program history with four consecutive winning seasons. He led Idaho to the Big Sky Conference title in 1985 and had two trips to the Division I-AA (FCS) Playoffs (1982, 1985).

Friesz averaged 367.4 passing yards a game as a quarterback and he was the first quarterback to win the Walter Payton Award as the outstanding player in I-AA football in 1989, when he threw for 4,041 yards and 31 touchdowns.

National award winners

• Walter Payton Award

The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most

outstanding offensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) of college football.

• Jerry Rice Award

The Jerry Rice Award is awarded annually in the United States to the most outstanding freshman player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors.

All Americans

Ray McDonald was a Consensus All-American in 1966.

Notable players

NFL

• Jesse Davis – guard for the Miami Dolphins (2017–21) and Minnesota Vikings (2022–present)
• John Friesz – quarterback in the College Football Hall of Fame, 1989 Walter Payton Award, NFL (1990–2000)
• Mike Iupati – consensus All-American guard, 17th overall pick in 2010 NFL draft, (2010–20); San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks
• Jerry Kramer – five-time All-Pro guard (five NFL & two Super Bowl titles) with the Green Bay Packers (1958–68); author and Pro Football Hall of Famer (2018)
• Benson Mayowa – defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals (2018), Dallas Cowboys (2016-17), Oakland Raiders (2014–15, 2019), Seattle Seahawks (2013, 2020-21), including Super Bowl XLVIII.
• Ray McDonald – 13th overall pick in 1967 draft, running back for the Washington Redskins, 1967–68.
• Jim Norton – safety, all-time AFL interceptions leader, first number retired (#43) by the Houston Oilers (1960–68)
• Jeff Robinson – 1993–2009, Denver Broncos, Rams, Cowboys, Rams, Seahawks. Super Bowl Champion in Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams).
• Mark Schlereth – two-time Pro Bowl guard, three Super Bowl titles with the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos (1989–2000)
• Jake Scott – guard for the Philadelphia Eagles (2012), Tennessee Titans (2008–11), Indianapolis Colts (2004–07), including Super Bowl XLI.
• Wee Willie Smith – New York Giants (1934 NFL Champions)
• Korey Toomer – linebacker (2012–18): Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers
• David Vobora – Mr. Irrelevant of the 2008 NFL draft, linebacker with the Seattle Seahawks
• Wayne Walker – All-Pro linebacker with the Detroit Lions (1958–72), started 200 games; sportscaster
• Marvin Washington – defensive end (1989–1999) for Jets, 49ers, Broncos. Super Bowl Champion (XXXIII, Broncos).
• John Yarno – first of two All-Americans from Idaho at FBS level, five-year starter at center for the Seattle Seahawks (1978–82)

CFL

• Brian Allen – wide receiver, Edmonton Eskimos (1984)
• Jerry Campbell – LB, (1966–75), inducted into Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1996
• Ken Hobart – quarterback (QB), USFL (1984–85), CFL (1985–90), winner of Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy in 1985
• Craig Juntunen – QB, (1978–79)
• Rolly Lumbala – fullback, BC Lions (2008–2018)
• Aaron Grymes – defensive back, Edmonton Elks (2013–2024)
• David Ungerer – wide receiver, Toronto Argonauts (2023–present)

Coaches

(former Vandal football players coaching in either college or professional football)

• Steve Belko
• Steve Buratto
• Tom Cable
• Tony Knap
• Mike Kramer
• Scott Linehan
• Don Matthews
• Doug Nussmeier
• Bud Riley
• Lyle Smith
• Chris Tormey

Other

• Anthony Curcio, author, public speaker, and former career criminal
• Dennis Eichhorn, writer
• Bill Fagerbakke, actor
• Dan Monson, college basketball coach
• Kendrick Trotter, entrepreneur

Retired numbers

Top NFL draft selections

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of December 30, 2025.

References

1. "Kibbie Dome". IdahoPTV.
2. "Idaho Historical Data". College Football Data Warehouse.
3. "Football Bowl Subdivision Records". NCAA.
4. "Idaho Bowl History". College Football Data Warehouse.
5. "Idaho to be 1st school to drop from FBS to FCS". ESPN.
6. "Across the Cougar sideline: Scouting the Idaho Vandals – KSL.com".
7. (May 24, 2011). "The Story of Joe Vandal".
8. (May 24, 1968). "Big Sky steps up". Spokesman-Review.
9. (August 9, 1967). "Ostyn says Pacific cost major status". Spokesman-Review.
10. (July 2, 1969). "NCAA ups 4 colleges". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
11. (December 7, 1973). "Axe falls on Idaho football program". Ellensburg Daily Record.
12. Johnson, Bob. (January 31, 1964). "Vandals versus Big Sky". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
13. (September 14, 1965). "Only winning will satisfy Idaho this gridiron season". Spokesman-Review.
14. Payne, Bob. (October 23, 1965). "Idaho opens campaign for Big Sky crown". Spokesman-Review.
15. Johnson, Bob. (November 27, 1972). "Even 110 rides too few". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
16. (July 17, 1973). "Idaho bid is rejected again". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
17. (June 8, 1973). "Idaho given PCAA bid". Spokesman-Review.
18. (June 8, 1973). "League accepts Vandals; Big Sky vote key factor". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
19. Payne, Bob. (July 22, 1973). "Robbins:'Gotta say something...'". Spokesman-Review.
20. (June 16, 1973). "Idaho board delays withdrawal action". Spokesman-Review.
21. (August 17, 2012). "State board approves Idaho becoming FBS independent". USAToday.
22. Murphy, Brian. (October 9, 2012). "WAC adds Utah Valley, CSU Bakersfield; Will it be able to keep Idaho?". Idaho Statesman.
23. (March 27, 2013). "Idaho and New Mexico State to Join Sun Belt Conference As Football members in 2014". Sun Belt Conference.
24. (March 2016). "Sun Belt Football to be 10 Teams in 2018".
25. "Idaho Moving Football to Big Sky Conference".
26. "Idaho Conference Championships". College Football Data Warehouse.
27. "FCS Championship History (Known as I-AA from 1978–2006)". The FCS College Football Weekly Preview.
28. (July 28, 2010). "Boise State-Idaho Rivalry Exists, Is Very Mean".
29. "mcubed.net : NCAAF Football : Series records : Idaho vs. Boise St".
30. Staples, Andy. (July 30, 2010). "Andy Staples: Boise State becoming what it once fought against".
31. (September 6, 2017). "Idaho State and Idaho Athletics UnveilL Multi-Year Rivalry Series Entitled "Battle of the Domes"".
32. "Battle of the Domes Unveiled". Idaho Athletics.
33. (September 6, 2017). "Idaho State and Idaho Athletics unveil multi-year rivalry series entitled "Battle of the Domes"". Idaho State Athletics.
34. Emerson, Paul. (November 18, 1973). "Idaho bruises Bengals behind rugged defense". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
35. (2024-07-21). "Bengals and Vandals Unveil Potato State Trophy".
36. JOURNAL, MARK LIPTAK FOR THE. (2025-11-22). "Bengals blast Idaho 37-16, win in Moscow for first time since 1981".
37. "Game on! Idaho, Montana will renew longtime football rivalry beginning in 2018".
38. (October 20, 1948). "Vandals still seeking a win". Spokesman-Review.
39. Payne, Bob. (October 18, 1974). "Tips riding two-game win streak". Spokesman-Review.
40. (1943). "Football". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook.
41. Welsch, Jeff. (April 30, 2016). "Idaho's twice-bruised ego offers cautionary tale for Griz, Cats". Billings Gazette.
42. Meehan, Jim. (September 28, 2003). "Idaho collapses in Montana". Spokesman-Review.
43. Bauer, Doug. (September 28, 2003). "Griz catch Vandals with pants down". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
44. "Idaho opponents: vs. Montana". CFB Data Warehouse.
45. (November 8, 1947). "Montana eleven wallops Vandals". Bend Bulletin.
46. Missildine, Harry. (February 26, 1963). "Six western schools create Big Sky athletic conference". Spokesman-Review.
47. (February 26, 1963). "Big Sky is ready for league action". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
48. "Idaho football to Big Sky Conference".
49. Brown, Bruce. (August 20, 1975). "Another View". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
50. (August 21, 1975). "For the record; Idaho, Washington St. game erased". Lakeland Ledger.
51. (August 22, 1975). "Just forget it". Spokesman-Review.
52. (October 22, 1959). "WSU-Idaho series has sparkling past". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
53. (January 21, 1978). "WSU-Idaho grid series diminishes". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
54. (August 2025). "Become a University of Idaho Tradition Keeper". Student Alumni Relations Board – University of Idaho.
55. (October 25, 1954). ""Win Made Us Ball Club", says Skip Stahley". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
56. (1955). "WSC walks". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook.
57. (November 3, 1959). "Battle of the Palouse – Losers' Walk". Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections.
58. Fry, Richard B.. (March 17, 2004). "The Smilin' Irishman". Cougfan.com.
59. (October 23, 1966). "Mud replaces turf in football's annual Battle of Palouse in Moscow". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
60. (October 24, 1966). "Kennedy en route to a TD". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
61. (April 15, 2008). "Cougars: Akey talks of commitment at Idaho". The Seattle Times.
62. Murphy, Brian. (October 21, 2012). "Vandals fire Akey after 1–7 start". Idaho Statesman.
63. (May 1, 2012). "Cougars add Idaho to 2013 football schedule". Washington State University Athletics.
64. "Idaho Vandals fall to Falk, Washington State 56–6".
65. "Washington State 13-10 Idaho (Aug 30, 2025) Final Score".
66. "Washington State Football Schedule {{!}} Future Schedules".
67. "Dennis Erickson (2019) - Hall of Fame".
68. "John Friesz (2006) - Hall of Fame".
69. {{College Football HoF
70. "Mark Schlereth Statistics". Pro-football-statistics.com.
71. [https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft10/news/story?id=5070884 ESPN.com] – NFL Draft 2010 – ''"Idaho's '58 Specials"'' – April 10, 2010
72. (September 30, 2016). "Father, daughter share Vandal ties".
73. "John Friesz".
74. (May 20, 2017). "Wayne Walker dies at 80: Former Boise High and Idaho grad starred in NFL and as broadcaster".
75. "John Yarno".
76. (January 24, 1963). "Friends honor Jerry Kramer at Sandpoint". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
77. (January 24, 1963). "Idaho retires jersey No. 64". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
78. "Idaho Vandals Football Schedules and Future Schedules". fbschedules.com.