Idaho–Idaho State football rivalry

Battle of the Domes
SportFootball
First meetingNovember 27, 1916
Idaho, 32–0
Latest meetingNovember 18, 2023
Idaho, 63–21
Next meetingNovember 23, 2024
in Pocatello
StadiumsKibbie Dome (Idaho)
ICCU Dome (Idaho State)
TrophyPotato State Trophy
Statistics
Meetings total45
All-time seriesIdaho leads, 32–13 (.711)
Trophy seriesIdaho, 4–2 (.667)
Largest victoryIdaho, 70–21 (1994)
Idaho, 52–3 (1998)
Smallest victoryIdaho, 1–0 (1978, forfeit)
Longest win streakIdaho, 8 (1916–1968)
Current win streakIdaho, 3 (2021–present)

The Idaho–Idaho State rivalry, recently branded as the Battle of the Domes,[1][2][3] is the intrastate college football game in Idaho between the University of Idaho in Moscow and Idaho State University in Pocatello.

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. 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 has won fourteen of the last seventeen and leads the overall series at 32–13 (.711). Since Idaho's return to the FCS, the Vandals lead the trophy series at 4–2.

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,[4] and ISU planned to fly up to the Palouse that Saturday afternoon in two vintage airplanes.[5] 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.[5][6][7]

College Comparison
Idaho Idaho State
Location Moscow Pocatello
Conference Big Sky
Students 11,303[8] 12,157[9]
School colors Silver & gold Orange & black
Nickname Vandals Bengals
Mascot(s) Joe Vandal Benny
Football stadium   Kibbie Dome   ICCU Dome

Battle of the Domes

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The "Battle of the Domes" theme began in 2017, and is applied to multiple sports.[1][2] 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). The Battle of the Domes is currently sponsored by Idaho Central Credit Union, which sponsors athletic venues on each campus (it sponsors Idaho State's football stadium, also used for basketball, and Idaho's basketball arena).

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)[10] and 1973, then the new Idaho Stadium.[11][12]

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 trophy (2018-2023)

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The Battle of the Domes trophy on display at ICCU Dome

With the introduction of the Battle of the Domes branding in 2018, 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 are 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 is awarded temporary possession of the trophy. Idaho and Idaho State have won the trophy twice since the rivalry renewed on an annual basis; Idaho in 2019 and 2021, Idaho State in 2018 and 2020.

The Potato State Trophy (2024-present)

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On July 21, 2024, the “Potato State Trophy” was announced as the rivalries new hardware. A 19.4-pound (8.8 kg) trophy made of Douglas Fir. It will officially make 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, sculped the potato, and Nick Daivs, a wood and metal working teacher at Middleton High School, made the metal cutout.

Notable games

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1916: The first game

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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: First game in Moscow

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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's first win

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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 ISU'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, ISU 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 were Big Sky champions.

1975: Kibbie Dome opener

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In the first game inside the newly enclosed Kibbie Dome in September 1975, visiting Idaho State spoiled the festivities with a 29–14 win.

1978: The forfeit game

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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: Idaho leaves I-AA

[edit]

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 in 1996. They played four times during Idaho's stay in the FBS, all Vandal wins.

2018: Battle of the Domes

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Idaho rejoined the FCS 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.

Universities

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The University of Idaho was established 135 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

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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

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Idaho victoriesIdaho State victories
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
1 November 27, 1916 Pocatello, ID Idaho 32–0
2 November 28, 1929 Pocatello, ID Idaho 41–7
3 September 29, 1962 Moscow, ID Idaho 9–6
4 November 16, 1963 Pocatello, ID Idaho 14–0
5 November 13, 1965 Moscow, ID Idaho 15–7
6 October 8, 1966 Pocatello, ID Idaho 27–20
7 September 30, 1967 Boise, ID Idaho 16–6
8 September 28, 1968 Pocatello, ID Idaho 35–15
9 September 27, 1969 Pullman, WA Idaho State 47–42
10 October 3, 1970 Pocatello, ID Idaho State 35–14
11 October 9, 1971 Moscow, ID Idaho 40–3
12 October 21, 1972 Pocatello, ID Idaho State 35–7
13 November 17, 1973 Moscow, ID Idaho 43–0
14 October 5, 1974 Pocatello, ID Idaho 28–9
15 September 27, 1975 Moscow, ID Idaho State 29–14
16 October 30, 1976 Pocatello, ID Idaho 6–3
17 October 8, 1977 Moscow, ID Idaho State 34–14
18 November 11, 1978 Moscow, ID Idaho 1–0^
19 October 6, 1979 Pocatello, ID Idaho 28–23
20 November 8, 1980 Moscow, ID Idaho State 28–21
21 October 31, 1981 Moscow, ID #3 Idaho State 24–14
22 November 6, 1982 Pocatello, ID #14 Idaho 20–17
23 September 24, 1983 Pocatello, ID #13 Idaho State 41–31
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
24 November 10, 1984 Moscow, ID Idaho 45–42
25 October 26, 1985 Pocatello, ID Idaho State 38–37
26 October 4, 1986 Moscow, ID #17 Idaho 38–26
27 October 3, 1987 Pocatello, ID Idaho State 30–21
28 November 12, 1988 Moscow, ID #2 Idaho 41–7
29 November 4, 1989 Pocatello, ID #7 Idaho 47–31
30 October 13, 1990 Moscow, ID Idaho 41–20
31 October 19, 1991 Pocatello, ID Idaho 46–21
32 October 10, 1992 Moscow, ID #4 Idaho 49–18
33 October 9, 1993 Pocatello, ID #1 Idaho 56–27
34 October 1, 1994 Moscow, ID #6 Idaho 70–21
35 September 30, 1995 Pocatello, ID #24 Idaho State 26–21
36 September 13, 1997 Pocatello, ID Idaho 43–0
37 October 3, 1998 Moscow, ID Idaho 52–3
38 September 16, 2006 Moscow, ID Idaho 27–24
39 September 6, 2008 Moscow, ID Idaho 42–27
40 October 6, 2018 Pocatello, ID Idaho State 62–28
41 October 19, 2019 Moscow, ID Idaho 45–21
42 April 3, 2021 Pocatello, ID Idaho State 24–22
43 November 20, 2021 Pocatello, ID Idaho 14–0
44 November 19, 2022 Pocatello, ID #21 Idaho 38–7
45 November 18, 2023 Moscow, ID #6 Idaho 63–21
Series: Idaho leads 32–13
^ Idaho State forfeited in 1978 due to transportation issues.[6][7]
  • 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

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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 (19591964) as an independent; they left for Division I-A (FBS) in 1996, and returned to FCS in 2018.

Coaching records

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Since first game in 1916

Idaho

[edit]
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 2 2022–2023 2 0 1.000  

Idaho State

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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 1 2023 0 1 .000

Miscellaneous

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Locations

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The rivalry game has been held in four different locations in two different states. Pocatello has held the most games with 22, followed by Moscow with 19, then Boise and Pullman, both with one.

State City Hosted
Washington Pullman 1 (1969)
Idaho Pocatello 22 (1916, 1929, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2018, 2021*, 2021)
Moscow 19 (1962, 1965, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2019)
Boise 1 (1967)

*The 2020 season was delayed due to COVID-19, instead taking place in spring 2021.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Battle of the Domes Unveiled" (Press release). Idaho Vandals Athletics. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Idaho State and Idaho Athletics unveil multi-year rivalry series entitled "Battle of the Domes"" (Press release). Idaho State Bengals Athletics. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  3. ^ "Bengals, Vandals to begin Battle of the Domes yearly rivalry series". Idaho State Journal. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  4. ^ Barrows, Bob (November 11, 1978). "Vandals, Idaho State try to salvage something". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 3B.
  5. ^ a b Barrows, Bob (November 6, 1980). "It was the 'no-show' Idaho-Idaho State game of 1978". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
  6. ^ a b Drosendahl, Glenn (November 14, 1978). "Vandals claim a forfeit". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
  7. ^ a b "Bengals forfeit to Idaho". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 14, 1978. p. 15.
  8. ^ "Fall 2021 Student Enrollment Up 4.7% Largest Freshman Class in Five Years". uidaho.edu. October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "University Reports Sweeping Fall Enrollment Increases". Idaho State University. October 20, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  10. ^ Payne, Bob (October 10, 1971). "Idaho likes home cookin'". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. 1, sports.
  11. ^ "Vandals finale rated important". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 16, 1973. p. 17.
  12. ^ Emerson, Paul (November 18, 1973). "Idaho bruises Bengals behind rugged defense". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 17.