Idaho–Idaho State football rivalry
American college football rivalry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Idaho–Idaho State rivalry is the intrastate college football game in Idaho between the University of Idaho in Moscow and Idaho State University in Pocatello.
Idaho, 32–0
Idaho State, 37–16
in Pocatello
| Sport | Football |
|---|---|
| First meeting | November 27, 1916 Idaho, 32–0 |
| Latest meeting | November 22, 2025 Idaho State, 37–16 |
| Next meeting | November 21, 2026 in Pocatello |
| Stadiums | Kibbie Dome (Idaho) ICCU Dome (Idaho State) |
| Trophy | Potato State Trophy |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 47 |
| All-time series | Idaho leads, 33–14 (.702) |
| Trophy series | Idaho, 5–3 (.625) |
| Largest victory | Idaho, 70–21 (1994) Idaho, 52–3 (1998) |
| Smallest victory | Idaho, 1–0 (1978, forfeit) |
| Longest win streak | Idaho, 8 (1916–1968) |
| Current win streak | Idaho State, 1 (2025–present) |
The series was played annually for 31 seasons from 1965 through 1995, until Idaho's move to the Football Bowl Subdivision (with Boise State), leaving Idaho State without an intrastate rival. Weber State, based in nearby Ogden, Utah, served as Idaho State's primary rival during Idaho's stay in the FBS. Annual play has resumed since Idaho's move back to the Football Championship Subdivision in 2018. The rivalry was at its most competitive in the 1970s and 1980s, with neither team three-peating. Idaho leads the overall series 33–14 (.702), and lead 5-3 (.625) since rejoining the Big Sky Conference in 2018.
A notable game of the series was not even played; in the conference finale for both teams in 1978, a night game was scheduled for Moscow on November 11,[1] and ISU planned to fly up to the Palouse that Saturday afternoon in two vintage airplanes.[2] One developed engine trouble shortly after takeoff from Pocatello and returned. Both teams were at the bottom of the Big Sky standings and the game was not rescheduled; Idaho was granted a 1–0 forfeit win.[2][3][4]
Branding
In opposite regions of Idaho and in different time zones, the driving distance between the campuses is over 530 miles (855 km) through Boise, and over 610 miles (980 km) if routed through western Montana and Coeur d'Alene, a popular choice as it is mostly interstate (15, 90).
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 (debut)[7] and 1973, then the new Idaho Stadium.[8][9]
From 1971 through 2010, Idaho's primary intrastate rivalry in football was with Boise State. While all three were in the Big Sky Conference (through 1995), they competed for the Gem State Trophy.
Battle of the Domes (2018–2023)
In 2017, Idaho Central Credit Union sponsored a rivalry between the two schools, titled "Battle of the Domes", the branding being applied to multiple sports.[10][11] Five football games were played under the Battle of the Domes branding, Idaho winning in the 2019, 2021, and 2022 seasons, and Idaho State winning the inaugural game in 2018, alongside the 2020 season, which was delayed to spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the introduction of the Battle of the Domes branding in 2017, a traveling trophy was also introduced. The Battle of the Domes trophy is prominently green (representing Idaho Central Credit Union's colors), and is mounted on a wooden base. There are 20 small plaques located on the base of the trophy, which were filled in after every football game between the two, detailing the winner, date, and score. The winner of the overall Battle of the Domes competition was awarded temporary possession of the trophy.
Ahead of the 2023 season, the Battle of the Domes branding was officially retired, after Idaho Central Credit Union adjusted their sponsorship with both institutions.[12]
The Potato State Trophy (2024–present)
After the retirement of the Battle of the Domes branding, a temporary rivalry trophy was created by Idaho head coach Jason Eck, who put a Mr. Potato Head on the base of the original Battle of the Domes trophy.[12] On July 21, 2024, a permanent trophy was formally introduced, called the "Potato State Trophy".
The trophy weighs 19.4 pounds (about 8.8 kilograms), and is made of Douglas Fir. It made its on-field debut in the 2024 season, and was first in possession of the Vandals after a 63–21 victory over the Bengals in 2023.
Idaho's Assistant Athletic Director for Brand Engagement & Digital Strategy, Jerek Wolcott, sculpted the potato, and Nick Davis, a wood and metal working teacher at Middleton High School, made the metal cutout.
Notable games
1916
The first game in the series was held in Pocatello on November 27, 1916. The Vandals defeated the Bengals by a score of 32–0.
1962
Both the 1916 and 1929 games were in Pocatello; 1962 marks the first time that the rivalry game was played on the Palouse in Moscow. Host Idaho won a low-scoring 9–6 game.
1969
Idaho State ended the Vandals' eight-game winning streak in 1969 with a 47–42 upset on the road. Held in Pullman, Washington, it was Idaho State's first-ever win in the series. They won again the following year 35–14, which was also the first game in the series played indoors, at the ASISU Minidome (now ICCU Arena) in Pocatello. The next year, Idaho State was the first opponent in Moscow's new outdoor Idaho Stadium, the first game on campus in nearly three years; the Vandals won in a 40–3 rout and went on to become Big Sky champions.
1975
1975 was first game held inside the newly enclosed Kibbie Dome in September 1975, visiting Idaho State won by a score of 29–14.
1978
Late in the 1978 season, the two were scheduled to play at night in Moscow on November 11, but transportation issues caused Idaho State to forfeit, giving Idaho a 1–0 win. On game day, one of two vintage aircraft carrying the ISU team had mechanical issues and returned to Pocatello; it remains the closest game in the series.
1995
On September 30, 1995, Idaho State defeated Idaho 26–21, ending a seven-game losing streak. This was the last time they faced each other in conference play until 2018, with Idaho leaving Division I-AA for Division I-A (now Football Bowl Subdivision) in 1996. They played four times during Idaho's stay in the FBS, all of which were won by Idaho.
2018
Idaho rejoined the FCS and the Big Sky Conference in 2018, renewing the rivalry. Now dubbed the "Battle of the Domes," Idaho State won 62–28 in the first game under the new branding. They have played each other annually in a rivalry game during the last week of the regular season since then.
Universities
The University of Idaho was established 137 years ago in 1889 by the territorial legislature and opened its doors three years later. Idaho State's origins date back to 1901; it was a two-year branch campus of the UI (1927–1947), became a four-year college in 1947, and a university in 1963.
Accomplishments
| Team | Idaho | Idaho State |
|---|---|---|
| National titles | 0 | 1 |
| Playoff appearances | 11 | 2 |
| Bowl appearances | 3 | 2 |
| Postseason bowl record | 3–0
(1.00) |
2–0
(1.00) |
| Conference titles | 10 | 8 |
| Big Sky titles | 9 | 3 |
| All-time program record | 460–614–26
(.430) |
478–543–20
(.469) |
Game results
| Idaho victories | Idaho State victories |
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- Eight non-conference games: 1916, 1929, 1962, 1963, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2008
- Not played in 63 seasons: 1917–1928, 1930–1961, 1964, 1996, 1999–2005, 2007, 2009–2017
Big Sky games
Both schools were charter members of the Big Sky Conference, which launched in 1963. In conference play, Idaho leads the series 22–13 (.629) through 2021. Idaho State was previously a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Idaho joined conference play for football in 1965, after six seasons (1959–1964) as an independent; they left for Division I-A (FBS) in 1996, and returned to FCS in 2018.
Coaching records
Since first game in 1916
Idaho
| Head coach | Games | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Ties | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilfred Bleamaster | 1 | 1916–1917 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Leo Calland | 1 | 1929–1934 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Dee Andros | 2 | 1962–1964 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Steve Musseau | 3 | 1965–1967 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Y C McNease | 2 | 1968–1969 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 |
| Don Robbins | 4 | 1970–1973 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
| Ed Troxel | 4 | 1974–1977 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
| Jerry Davitch | 4 | 1978–1981 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
| Dennis Erickson (a) | 4 | 1982–1985 | 2 | 2 | .500 | |
| Keith Gilbertson | 3 | 1986–1988 | 2 | 1 | .667 | |
| John L. Smith | 6 | 1989–1994 | 6 | 0 | 1.000 | |
| Chris Tormey | 3 | 1995–1999 | 2 | 1 | .667 | |
| Dennis Erickson (b) | 1 | 2006 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | |
| Robb Akey | 1 | 2007–2012 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | |
| Paul Petrino | 4 | 2013–2021 | 2 | 2 | .500 | |
| Jason Eck | 3 | 2022–2024 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | |
| Thomas Ford | 1 | 2025–present | 0 | 1 | .000 |
Idaho State
| Head Coach | Games | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Ties | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reuben Bronson | 1 | 1915–1916 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Felix Plastino | 1 | 1928–1934 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Babe Caccia | 3 | 1952–1965 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .000 |
| Leo McKillip | 2 | 1966–1967 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 |
| Ed Cavanaugh | 4 | 1968–1971 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
| Bob Griffin | 4 | 1972–1975 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
| Joe Pascale | 1 | 1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Bud Hake | 3 | 1977–1979 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 |
| Dave Kragthorpe | 3 | 1980–1982 | 2 | 1 | .667 | |
| Jim Koetter | 5 | 1983–1987 | 3 | 2 | .600 | |
| Garth Hall | 4 | 1988–1991 | 0 | 4 | .000 | |
| Brian McNeely | 4 | 1992–1996 | 1 | 3 | .250 | |
| Tom Walsh | 2 | 1997–1998 | 0 | 2 | .000 | |
| Larry Lewis | 1 | 1999–2006 | 0 | 1 | .000 | |
| John Zamberlin | 1 | 2007–2010 | 0 | 1 | .000 | |
| Rob Phenicie | 4 | 2017–2021 | 2 | 2 | .500 | |
| Charlie Ragle | 1 | 2022 | 0 | 1 | .000 | |
| Cody Hawkins | 3 | 2023–present | 1 | 2 | .333 |
Miscellaneous
Locations
The rivalry game has been held in four different locations in two different states. Pocatello has held the most games with 24, followed by Moscow with 20, then Boise and Pullman, both with one.
| State | City | Hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | Pullman | 1 (1969) |
| Idaho | Pocatello | 24 (1916, 1929, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2018, 2021*, 2021, 2022, 2024) |
| Moscow | 20 (1962, 1965, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2023) | |
| Boise | 1 (1967) |
*The 2020 season was delayed due to COVID-19, instead taking place in spring 2021.