Around the region

Kickoff: 4 p.m., at Jonesboro, Arkansas

Records: Idaho (1-3, 0-1 Sun Belt), Arkansas St. (1-3, 0-0)

Internet/Radio: ESPN3/590-AM and 1080-AM

Overview: Idaho’s Dezmon Epps is the national leader in receiving yards per game at 154.7. One of the reasons for his success is quarterback Matt Linehan, who is the Sun Belt leader in yards passing and 19th nationally at 1,109. Linehan’s 277.3 yards per game are 28th nationally. Arkansas State has won 25 of its last 31 Sun Belt Conference games (.806 winning percentage) to run its all-time record in the conference to 58-42. Arkansas State has put together four consecutive winning seasons (2011-14), including back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2011 and 2012, eight more in 2013 and seven last year in their first year under coach Blake Anderson. The Red Wolves are young. Seventeen players have made their first career start this season.

Bruins at Pirates

Kickoff: 1 p.m. at the Pine Bowl

Records: Whitworth (3-0), George Fox (2-1)

TV/Radio: SWX/1230-AM

Overview: Whitworth welcomes George Fox in a Northwest Conference Opener. The visitors have already doubled their win total from 2014 after the Bruins restarted the football program following a 46-year hiatus. George Fox dropped a close opening game (27-23) to La Verne on Sept. 5. Whitworth had the same Leopards team down 39-0 at halftime Sept. 19 before La Verne scored 20 unanswered points to make it a 39-20 final. To win, the Bruins will need to find a way to slow down sophomore quarterback Ian Kolste. The Pirates rank No. 7 in the country, averaging 369.5 yards passing per game. The Pirates are also finding more running room. Running back Duke DeGaetano rushed for 154 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns in the 37-7 pounding last week of Chapman. Quarterback- turned-receiver Kevin Thomas (Gonzaga Prep) leads the Pirates in receiving with 19 catches for 273 yards. The Pirates have made a knack of starting quickly, outscoring their opponents 85-3 in the first half of their first three games.

Thomas Clouse