Idaho–Idaho State football rivalry

Battle of the Domes
	Idaho Vandals Idaho State Bengals
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)

[Interactive fullscreen map]

Locations of Idaho and Idaho State

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.

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]

College Comparison
	Idaho	Idaho State
Location	Moscow, ID	Pocatello, ID
Conference	Big Sky Conference	Big Sky Conference
Students	11,780	12,643
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)^[8] and 1973, then known as new Idaho Stadium.^[9]^[10]

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 in the 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, which are filled after every game detailing the winner, score, and date. The winner is awarded possession of the trophy for one season.

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

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

No.	Date	Location	Winner	Score
23	September 24, 1983	Pocatello, ID	#13 Idaho State	41–31
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
Series: Idaho leads 30–13

^ 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)

Trophy games[]

Idaho victories	Idaho State victories	Tie games

No.	Date	Location	Winning team		Losing team
1	October 6, 2018	Pocatello, ID	Idaho State	62	Idaho	28
2	October 19, 2019	Moscow, ID	Idaho	45	Idaho State	21
3	April 3, 2021	Pocatello, ID	Idaho State	24	No. 24 Idaho	22
4	November 20, 2021	Pocatello, ID	Idaho	14	Idaho State	0
Series: Tied 2–2

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	Percent
Wilfred C. Bleamaster	1	1916-1917	1	0	1.00
Leo Calland	1	1929-1934	1	0	1.00
Dee Andros	2	1962-1964	2	0	1.00
Steve Musseau	3	1965-1967	3	0	1.00
Y C McNease	2	1968-1969	1	1	.500
Don Robbins	4	1970-1973	2	2	.500
Ed Troxel	4	1974-1977	2	2	.500
Jerry Davitch	4	1978-1981	2	2	.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	1.00
Chris Tormey	3	1995-1999	2	1	.667
Dennis Erickson (b)	1	2006	1	0	1.00
Robb Akey	1	2007-2012	1	0	1.00
Paul Petrino	4	2013-2021	2	2	.500
Jason Eck	0	2022-present	0	0

Idaho State[]

Head Coach	Games	Seasons	Wins	Losses	Percent
Reuben Bronson	1	1915-1916	0	1	.000
Felix Plastino	1	1928-1934	0	1	.000
Babe Caccia	3	1952-1965	0	3	.000
Leo McKillip	2	1966-1967	0	2	.000
Ed Cavanaugh	4	1968-1971	2	2	.500
Bob Griffin	4	1972-1975	2	2	.500
Joe Pascale	1	1976	0	1	.000
Bud Hake	3	1977-1979	1	2	.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	0	2022-present	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[]

^ ^a ^b "Battle of the Domes Unveiled" (Press release). Idaho Vandals Athletics. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
^ ^a ^b "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.
^ ^a ^b Barrows, Bob (November 6, 1980). "It was the 'no-show' Idaho-Idaho State game of 1978". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
^ ^a ^b Drosendahl, Glenn (November 14, 1978). "Vandals claim a forfeit". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
^ ^a ^b "Bengals forfeit to Idaho". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 14, 1978. p. 15.
^ 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.

[uiv17-1] "Battle of the Domes Unveiled" (Press release). Idaho Vandals Athletics. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2018.

[isu17-2] "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.

[trsalv-4] Barrows, Bob (November 11, 1978). "Vandals, Idaho State try to salvage something". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 3B.

[iwnoss-5] Barrows, Bob (November 6, 1980). "It was the 'no-show' Idaho-Idaho State game of 1978". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.

[vcafft-6] Drosendahl, Glenn (November 14, 1978). "Vandals claim a forfeit". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.

[srbfftid-7] "Bengals forfeit to Idaho". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 14, 1978. p. 15.

[ilhckn-8] Payne, Bob (October 10, 1971). "Idaho likes home cookin'". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. 1, sports.

[vfrim-9] "Vandals finale rated important". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 16, 1973. p. 17.

[ibbbrd-10] Emerson, Paul (November 18, 1973). "Idaho bruises Bengals behind rugged defense". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 17.

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v t 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 (Governor's Trophy) Gonzaga (defunct) Idaho State (Battle of the Domes) Montana (Little Brown Stein) Washington State (Battle of the Palouse)
Culture and lore	History Go, Vandals, Go
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Starting quarterbacks
Seasons	1896 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

v t Idaho State Bengals football
Venues	Spud Bowl Holt Arena (1970–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Idaho (Battle of the Domes)
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
	1903 1918 1935 1943 1945 1952 1953 1955 1957 1959 1979 1980 1981 1983 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
National championship seasons in bold

v t Idaho Vandals rivalries
Football	Boise State Gonzaga Idaho State Montana Washington State
Basketball	Gonzaga Washington State

v t 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 Battle of the Palouse (Idaho–Washington State) Grand Canyon Rivalry (Northern Arizona–Southern Utah) Beehive Bowl (Southern Utah–Weber State)