The P1FCU Kibbie Dome has been the home of the University of Idaho athletics since 1975. The facility has been used to host a multitude of different events, including Idaho high school football playoffs, concerts, student activities, intramural sports, community events and graduations. (Photo by GoVandals.com)
By Dan Verdun
Last weekend, Southern Illinois won its opening-round FCS playoff game at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale. The victory sent SIU into Saturday’s second-round matchup with the University of Idaho.
A quick look at the 24-team playoff bracket shows head coach Nick Hill’s Salukis going head-to-head with the No. 4 seeded Vandals. The game kicks off at 9 p.m. CST on ESPN2.
Second-year head coach Jason Eck has taken Idaho to the FCS playoffs in both his seasons leading the Vandals.
Eck is a name familiar to SIU fans. The 46-year-old was an assistant coach at Missouri Valley Football Conference foes Western Illinois (2012) and South Dakota State (2016-2021).
Here’s our look at the Salukis’ postseason opponent:
School: University of Idaho
Founded: 1889
Location: Moscow, Idaho
Population: 25,850
Enrollment: 11,849
Nickname: Vandals
Colors: Gold, silver, black and white
Conference: Big Sky
Head Coach: Jason Eck
Overall Record: 8-3
I-AA/FCS Playoff Appearances: (13) 1983, ‘85, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88, ‘89, 1990, ‘92, ‘93, ‘94, ‘95, 2022, 2023
Key players: QB Gevani McCoy, RB Anthony Woods, WR Hayden Hatten, DB Marcus Harris, K-P Ricardo Chavez, PR Jermaine Jackson
Best NFL player from Idaho: G Jerry Kramer, Green Bay Packers (1958-68)
Other notable Idaho players in NFL: TE Reggie Carolan, G Rick DeMulling, LB Kaden Ellis, T Spencer Folau, QB John Friesz, K Mike Hollis, G Mike Iupati, DE Benson Mayowa, LB Sam Merriman, DB-P Jim Norton, LB Ron Porter, TE Jeff Robinson, OL Mark Schlereth, OL Jake Scott, LB Wayne Walker
Famous Idaho alumni: Actor Bill Fagerbakke, politician Sarah Palin, FBI agent/Watergate’s “Deep Throat” Mark Felt, commentator Lou Dobbs, baseball pitcher Bill Stoneman, basketball player Gus Johnson, Olympian Dan O’Brien, football coach Scott Linehan, General James F. Amos, former Secretary of Education Terrel Howard Bell, football coach Doug Nussmeier, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Phillip C. Habib
Prairie State Pigskin 
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