Idaho–Idaho State football rivalry

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.

Battle of the Domes
Idaho Vandals
Idaho State Bengals
SportFootball
First meetingNovember 27, 1916
Idaho, 32–0
Latest meetingNovember 19, 2022
Idaho, 38–7
Next meetingNovember 18, 2023 in Moscow
StadiumsKibbie Dome (Idaho)
Holt Arena (Idaho State)
TrophyBattle of the Domes trophy
Statistics
Meetings total44
All-time seriesIdaho leads, 31–13 (.705)
Trophy seriesIdaho, 3–2 (.600)
Largest victoryIdaho, 70–21 (1994)
Idaho, 52–3 (1998)
Smallest victoryIdaho, 1–0 (1978, forfeit)
Longest win streakIdaho, 8 (1916–1968)
Current win streakIdaho, 2 (2021–present)
🌍
Campus locations in Idaho

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 thirteen of the last sixteen and leads the overall series at 31–13 (.705). Since Idaho's return to the FCS, the Vandals lead the trophy series at 3–2.

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 MoscowPocatello
Conference Big Sky
Students 11,303[8]12,157[9]
School colors Silver & GoldOrange & Black
Nickname VandalsBengals
Mascot(s) Joe VandalBenny
Football stadium   Kibbie Dome  Holt Arena

Battle of the Domes

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. The Battle of the Domes is currently sponsored by Idaho Central Credit Union.

Idaho State was the first of the pair to play its home games indoors, opening Holt Arena (originally ASISU Minidome) 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 known as new Idaho Stadium.[11][12]

From 1971 through 2010, Idaho's primary intrastate rivalry in football was with Boise State.

Battle of the Domes trophy
The Battle of the Domes trophy on display at Holt Arena

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.

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 when ISU won 47–42. The game, held in Pullman, Washington, was Idaho State's first-ever win against Idaho. They won again the following year, which was also the first game in the series played indoors, at the ASISU Minidome (now Holt Arena).

1975: Kibbie Dome opener

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

1978: The forfeit game

The two schools were scheduled to play at night in Moscow on November 11, 1978, 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 7 game losing streak. This was the last time they would face each other in conference play until 2018, with Idaho leaving Division I-AA in 1996. They would play each other 4 times during Idaho's stay in the FBS, with Idaho winning all 4.

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 134 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
TeamIdahoIdaho State
National titles01
Playoff appearances112
Bowl appearances32
Postseason bowl record3-0

(1.00)

 2-0

(1.00)

Conference titles108
Big Sky titles93
All-time program record460-614-26

(.430)

 478-543-20

(.469)

Game results
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 Idaho 38–7
Series: Idaho leads 31–13
^ 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

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 1 2022– 1 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 0 .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

Miscellaneous

Locations

The rivalry game has been held in 4 different locations in 2 different states. Pocatello has held the most games with 22, followed by Moscow with 19, then Boise and Pullman, both with 1.

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

References
  1. "Battle of the Domes Unveiled" (Press release). Idaho Vandals Athletics. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  2. "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. Barrows, Bob (November 6, 1980). "It was the 'no-show' Idaho-Idaho State game of 1978". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
  6. Drosendahl, Glenn (November 14, 1978). "Vandals claim a forfeit". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
  7. "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". www.uidaho.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  9. "University Reports Sweeping Fall Enrollment Increases". Idaho State University. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  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.
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