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 between the University of Idaho in Moscow and Idaho State University in Pocatello.
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Sport | Football |
---|---|
First meeting | November 27, 1916 Idaho, 32–0 |
Latest meeting | November 20, 2021 Idaho, 14–0 |
Next meeting | November 19, 2022 |
Stadiums | Kibbie Dome (Idaho) Holt Arena (Idaho State) |
Trophy | Battle of the Domes trophy |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 43 |
All-time series | Idaho leads, 30–13 (.698) |
Trophy series | Tied, 2–2 (.500) |
Largest victory | Idaho, 70–21 (1994) Idaho, 52-3 (1998) |
Smallest victory | Idaho, 1–0 (1978) |
Longest win streak | Idaho, 8 (1916–1968) |
Current win streak | Idaho, 1 (2021) |
The series was played annually for 30 years from 1965 to 1995 until Idaho's move to the Football Bowl Subdivision, 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 twelve of the last fifteen and leads the overall series at 30–13 (.698). Since Idaho's return to the FCS, the trophy series is tied 2-2.
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 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]
Idaho | Idaho State | |
---|---|---|
Location | Moscow, ID | Pocatello, ID |
Conference | Big Sky Conference | Big Sky Conference |
Students | 11,303[8] | 12,157[9] |
School colors | SIlver and Vandal Gold | Orange and Black |
Nickname | Vandals | Bengals |
Mascot(s) | Joe Vandal | Benny the Bengal |
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

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 State has won the trophy 3 times, in 2018, 2020, and 2021, while Idaho has won the trophy once, in 2019.
Notable Games
1916: The first game
The first game between the rivals was played on November 27th, 1916 in Pocatello. The Vandals were able to brush aside the Bengals on route to a 32-0 win.
1962: First game in Moscow
Both the 1916 and 1929 game were played in Pocatello. 1962 marks the first time that the rivalry game was played in Moscow. Idaho defeated Idaho State in a low scoring 9-6 game.
1969: Idaho State's first win
Idaho State finally snapped Idaho's 8 game winning streak in 1969 when they narrowly squeaked by them 47-42. The game, held in Pullman, WA, was Idaho State's first ever win against Idaho. They would win the following year as well, and the rivalry would remain competitive throughout the 70s and 80s.
1978: The forfeit game
The two schools were scheduled to play 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 aircraft carrying the ISU team had mechanical issues and returned to Pocatello. It remains the closest game in the series, even though it technically wasn't a game.
1995: Idaho leaves I-AA
On September 30, 1995, Idaho State played Idaho in Division I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) for what seemed like the final time, as Idaho moved up to Division I-A (now Football Bowl Subdivision) a year later. Idaho State managed to beat Idaho 26-21, also snapping a 7 game losing streak in the process.
2018: Battle of the Domes
Idaho rejoined the FCS in 2018, which also renewed the decade-stagnant rivalry between the two teams. The rivalry was now dubbed "Battle of the Domes," and Idaho State was able to defeat Idaho by 34 points, 62-28, in the first game under the new branding.
Universities
The University of Idaho was established 133 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 |
|
^ Idaho State forfeited in 1978 due to transportation issues.[6][7]
- Non-conference games (8: 1916-1963, 1997-2008)
- Not played in 63 seasons (1917-1928, 1930-1961, 1964, 1996, 1999-2005, 2007, 2009-2017)
Big Sky games
In Big Sky Conference play, Idaho leads the series 22-13 (.629) through the 2021 meeting. Idaho State joined the Big Sky Conference when it first formed in 1963, and was a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference before then. Idaho joined the conference in 1965, and was an independent before joining.
Coaching Records
Since first game in 1916
Idaho
Head coach | Games | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Ties | Percent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilfred C. Bleamaster | 1 | 1916-1917 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Leo Calland | 1 | 1929-1934 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Dee Andros | 2 | 1962-1964 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Steve Musseau | 3 | 1965-1967 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
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 | 0 | .500 |
Keith Gilbertson | 3 | 1986-1988 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 |
John L. Smith | 6 | 1989-1994 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Chris Tormey | 3 | 1995-1999 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 |
Dennis Erickson (b) | 1 | 2006 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Robb Akey | 1 | 2007-2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Paul Petrino | 4 | 2013-2021 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
Jason Eck | 0 | 2022-present | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Idaho State
Head Coach | Games | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Ties | Percent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 0 | .600 |
Garth Hall | 4 | 1988-1991 | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 |
Brian McNeely | 4 | 1992-1996 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 |
Tom Walsh | 2 | 1997-1998 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 |
Larry Lewis | 1 | 1999-2006 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
John Zamberlin | 1 | 2007-2010 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
Rob Phenicie | 4 | 2017-2021 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
Charlie Ragle | 0 | 2022-present | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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) |
References
- "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.
- "Bengals, Vandals to begin Battle of the Domes yearly rivalry series". Idaho State Journal. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- 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.
- "Fall 2021 Student Enrollment Up 4.7% Largest Freshman Class in Five Years". www.uidaho.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
- "University Reports Sweeping Fall Enrollment Increases". Idaho State University. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
- 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.