Idaho–Idaho State football rivalry

American college football rivalry

Battle of the Domes
Statistics
Idaho Vandals Idaho State Bengals
Sport	Football
First meeting	November 27, 1916 Idaho, 32–0
Latest meeting	November 18, 2023 Idaho, 63–21
Next meeting	November 23, 2024 in Pocatello
Stadiums	Kibbie Dome (Idaho) ICCU Dome (Idaho State)
Trophy	Potato State Trophy
Meetings total	45
All-time series	Idaho leads, 32–13 (.711)
Trophy series	Idaho, 4–2 (.667)
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, 4 (2021–present)

200km
125miles

Idaho State

Idaho Campus locations in Idaho

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.

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, and ISU planned to fly up to the Palouse that Saturday afternoon in two vintage airplanes. 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.

College Comparison
	Idaho	Idaho State
Location	Moscow	Pocatello
Conference	Big Sky
Students	12,286	12,157
School colors	Silver & gold	Orange & black
Nickname	Vandals	Bengals
Mascot(s)	Joe Vandal	Benny
Football stadium	Kibbie Dome	ICCU Dome

Battle of the Domes

The "Battle of the Domes" theme began in 2017, and is applied to multiple sports. 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) and 1973, then the new Idaho Stadium.

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)

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)

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, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No.	Date	Location	Winner	Score
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
24	November 10, 1984	Moscow, ID	Idaho	45–42

No.	Date	Location	Winner	Score
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
46	November 24, 2024	Pocatello, ID	#7 Idaho	40–17
Series: Idaho leads 33–13

^ Idaho State forfeited in 1978 due to transportation issues.

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

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	2	2023–2024	0	2		.000

Miscellaneous

Locations

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.

References

Barrows, Bob (November 11, 1978). "Vandals, Idaho State try to salvage something". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 3B.
^ Barrows, Bob (November 6, 1980). "It was the 'no-show' Idaho-Idaho State game of 1978". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
^ Drosendahl, Glenn (November 14, 1978). "Vandals claim a forfeit". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
^ "Bengals forfeit to Idaho". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 14, 1978. p. 15.
"Largest Freshman Class in History Continues to Push Enrollment Growth at U of I". uidaho.edu. October 18, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
"University Reports Sweeping Fall Enrollment Increases". Idaho State University. October 20, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
"Battle of the Domes Unveiled" (Press release). Idaho Vandals Athletics. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
"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.
Payne, Bob (October 10, 1971). "Idaho likes home cookin'". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. 1, sports.
"Vandals finale rated important". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 16, 1973. p. 17.
Emerson, Paul (November 18, 1973). "Idaho bruises Bengals behind rugged defense". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 17.

v t e Idaho Vandals football
Venues	MacLean Field (1914–1936) Neale Stadium (1937–1968) Rogers Field (1969–1970) Joe Albi Stadium (1971) Kibbie Dome (1971–present) Martin Stadium (1999–2001)
Bowls and rivalries	Bowl games Boise State Gonzaga (defunct) Idaho State Montana: Little Brown Stein Washington State: Battle of the Palouse
Culture and lore	History Joe Vandal Go, Vandals, Go The Sound of Idaho
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Starting quarterbacks
Seasons	1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943–1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

v t e University of Idaho
Located in Moscow, Idaho
Academics	Law Music Outdoor Science
Facilities	Kibbie Dome Memorial Gymnasium ICCU Arena MacLean Field (defunct) Neale Stadium (defunct) Golf Course Arboretum Ridenbaugh Hall Gym & Armory
Athletics	Idaho Vandals Football Men's basketball Women's basketball Baseball (defunct) Rivalries Battle of the Palouse Little Brown Stein Battle of the Domes Boise State Gonzaga Fight song
Media	Fugue KUOI-FM University of Idaho Press
Related	Idaho Gem Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Alumni Timeline 2022 UI killings

v t e Idaho State Bengals football
Venues	Hutchinson Field (1922–1936) Spud Bowl (1936–1969) ICCU Dome (1970–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Idaho
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
Seasons	1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold

v t e Idaho State University
Buildings and Facilities	Eli M. Oboler Library ICCU Dome Idaho State Arboretum Janet C. Anderson Gender Resource Center Reed Gym Idaho Museum of Natural History
Events	Simplot Games
Athletics	Men's basketball Women's basketball Football
Media	KISU-FM

v t e Big Sky Conference football rivalries
Conference	Battle for the Golden Horseshoe (Cal Poly–UC Davis) EWU–UM Governors Cup (Eastern Washington–Montana) The Dam Cup (Eastern Washington–Portland State) Battle of the Domes (Idaho–Idaho State) Little Brown Stein (Idaho–Montana) Montana–Montana State Causeway Classic (Sacramento State–UC Davis)
Non-conference	Boise State–Idaho Gonzaga–Idaho Battle of the Palouse (Idaho–Washington State) Grand Canyon Rivalry (Northern Arizona–Southern Utah) Beehive Bowl (Southern Utah–Weber State)

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