Around the region
Idaho St. at UW
Kickoff: Noon, Husky Stadium, Seattle
Records: Idaho State Bengals (2-0); No. 17 Washington Huskies (2-0)
TV/Radio: Pac-12 Wash./590-AM
Line: Washington favored by 50 points
Series record: First meeting between teams
What’s at stake: Washington gets a chance to refine its no-huddle offense and get playing time for some reserves before starting Pac-12 play with a brutal stretch against Arizona, at Stanford, vs. Oregon and at Arizona State. For Idaho State, it’s one of two large paydays this season with the Bengals also facing BYU in November.
Key matchup: Idaho State passing game vs. Washington DBs: One thing is clear from the Bengals first two games is that they aren’t afraid to put the ball in the air. QB Justin Arias has thrown from more than 400 yards in each game and Idaho State leads the FCS in yards passing after two weeks. It’ll be a good challenge for Washington’s secondary after limiting both Boise State and Illinois to less than 200 yards passing.
Players to watch
• Idaho State: P/PR/QB C.J. Reyes. There might not be another program that has their punter also serving as their punt returner and backup quarterback. But that’s the case for the Bengals and Reyes. He’s averaging 39.7 yards per punt, but has returned just one punt for 4 yards. Reyes has not thrown a pass this season.
• Washington: RB Bishop Sankey (Gonzaga Prep). The quiet starting running back for the Huskies currently leads the country averaging 184.5 yards per game rushing. If everything goes right, Sankey won’t be on the field that long against the Bengals, but should get a chance to add to those impressive early numbers.
Associated Press
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. at the Pine Bowl
Records: Whitworth (3-0), La Verne (0-0)
Radio: 1230-AM at 12:15
TV: SWX at 1 p.m. (delayed)
Overview: The Pirates play their third consecutive home game and, for the third time, are facing a team that is playing its opener. Whitworth has never lost to the Leopards in seven meetings. The Pirates defense only gave up one touchdown in a 38-17 victory over Whittier last week.
This week it will face Matthew Biggers, who led the SCIAC in rushing last year with 1,397 yards, who will run behind an experienced offensive line. Whitworth’s offense, led by quarterback Bryan Peterson (11 of 23, 205 yards, one TD last week), will face a Leos defense led by linebackers Manuel Macias and Anthony Arguello.