Tailgating the Northwest
- Experience college football up close. By Colin
- Oct 7, 2015
- 4 min read
Fall means football, and there’s no shortage of great action in the Northwest. We have many beautiful campuses, unique stadiums with red and blue turf, tailgating by boat, former national champions, and a whole lot more. There’s nothing like the buzz around a college campus on a crisp fall Saturday afternoon. And even if your alma mater might be across country, there’s no shame in rooting for another regional team, rivalries withstanding! Just taking in the sites of game day is a blast, and we are fortunate to have some of the most interesting stadiums in the country close by.
University of Montana
Location: Missoula, Montana
Stadium: Washington Grizzly Stadium
Capacity: 25,203
Home Schedule: 8/29 vs. North Dakota State, 9/5 vs. Cal Poly, 9/26 vs. Northern Arizona, 10/10 vs. Weber State, 10/24 vs. North Dakota, 11/14 vs. Eastern Washington
About the Team: The Montana Grizzlies consistently draw one of the top crowds in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level averaging more than 24,000 fans per game since the last stadium expansion. Montana plays host to three-time defending FCS National champion North Dakota State in the very first college football game this season. New head coach Bob Stitt brings an up-tempo style of offense to the Griz hoping to wear down opponents with short passes and plenty of no-huddle.
Did you know? Washington Grizzly Stadium played host to the Rolling Stones in 2006 in their only ever concert in the state of Montana
Eastern Washington University
Location: Cheney, Washington
Stadium: Roos Field
Capacity: 8,600
Home Schedule: 9/19 vs. Montana State, 10/10 vs. Cal Poly, 10/31 vs. Weber State, 11/7 vs. Northern Arizona, 11/21 vs. Portland State
About the Team: The question for all Eastern Eagle fans is whether or not their high power aerial attack will continue without quarterback Vernon Adams. “Big Play” VA transferred to Pac 12 power Oregon for his senior season, however star receivers Cooper Kupp and Shaq Hill are back. Head coach Beau Baldwin has turned Eastern into a power at the FCS level with a National Championship in 2010 and Big Sky Championships in 2012, 2013, 2014.
Did you Know: Eastern Washington installed it’s now famous red turf nicknamed ‘The Inferno’ in 2010 thanks in a large part to a $500,00 donation from Eastern Alum and NFL offensive lineman Michael Roos.
Washington State University
Location: Pullman, Washington
Stadium: Martin Stadium
Capacity: 35,117
Home Schedule: 9/5 vs. Portland State, 9/19 vs. Wyoming, 10/17 vs. Oregon State, 10/31 vs. Stanford, 11/7 vs. Arizona State, 11/21 vs. Colorado
About the Team: The Cougars are looking to put it all together this year under Coach Mike Leach and his air-raid offense. It’s been a struggle for the Cougs in recent history and with most pundits calling the Pac-12 a top three conference in the nation this year, it’s not getting any easier for them. Look for WR Gabe Marks to step up big in the passing game.
Did you know: A fire at Martin Stadium on April 4, 1970 destroyed nearly 6,000 seats and the press box, forcing the Cougars to play their next two seasons an hour and a half away at Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium.
University of Washington
Location: Seattle, Washington
Stadium: Husky Stadium
Capacity: 70,138
Home Schedule: 9/12 vs. Sacramento State, 9/19 vs. Utah State, 9/26 vs. California, 10/17 vs. Oregon, 10/31 vs. Arizona, 11/7 vs. Utah, 11/27 vs. Washington State
About the Team: The Huskies are a real wild card team this year after losing big contributors on defense to the draft as well as replacing their quarterback. After winning eight games a season ago, Vegas odds makers are only giving the Huskies four wins this season. Head Coach Chris Peterson opens the season at Boise State, the school in which he helped propel into the national spotlight.
Did you know? With a capacity of more than 70,000 and metallic roofs, Husky stadium is one of the loudest stadiums in the country crossing over the 100 decibel level multiple times each game.
Boise State University
Location: Boise, Idaho
Stadium: Albertson’s Stadium
Capacity: 36,387
Home Schedule: 9/4 vs. University of Washington, 9/18 vs. Idaho State, 10/3 vs. Hawaii, 10/24 vs. Wyoming, 11/14 vs. New Mexico, 11/20 vs. Air Force
About the Team: While no longer the darlings that defeated Oklahoma in one of the greatest bowl games of all time, Boise State is still a consistent power in the west. The Broncos are predicted to win the conference this season and have 6 players on the pre-season all-conference team. Head Coach Bryan Harsin hopes he’s found the next great Bronco QB in Brett Rypien, nephew of Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien. Brett smashed his uncle’s greater Spokane League records and was the player of the year for the state of Washington.
Did you know: Boise State became the only team with blue astro turf in the world and was the first school to install a field with a specific color in 1986.
University of Idaho
Location: Moscow, Idaho
Stadium: Kibbie Dome
Capacity: 16,000
Home Schedule: 9/3 vs. Ohio, 9/19 vs. Wofford, 9/26 vs. Georgia Southern, 10/24 vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 11/14 vs. Appalachian State, 11/28 vs. Texas Southern
About the Team: Third year Coach Paul Petrino says this is the best his team has looked since taking over the job. The Vandals will definitely be tested this year facing off against perennial powers Auburn and USC. They will also rack up plenty of frequent flier miles with trips to southern states Alabama, Arkansas and New Mexico. Junior Austin Rehkow might be the best punter in the nation, and becoming bowl game eligible is the goal for this program.
Did you know? The Kibbie Dome is also home to one of the premiere Jazz festivals in the U.S. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival began in 1967 and has seen the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, and Wynton Marsalis. Students from all over the country attend for concerts, clinics, judged performances and workshops.
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