Montana State to kick off 2016 vs. Idaho

(STATS) - Montana State will begin its 2016 football season with its first trip to the University of Idaho since 1994, when the Vandals played in the Big Sky Conference.

The programs first met in 1905 and were two of the five charter members of the Big Sky. Idaho now is a member of the Sun Belt Conference on the FBS level.

Montana State will play six home games as part of an 11-game schedule announced Wednesday. They will close the season with a Nov. 19 visit to archrival Montana.

The Bobcats also announced portions of future schedules, including a home-and-home series with FCS power South Dakota State on Sept. 2, 2017 (in Bozeman) and Sept. 8, 2018 (in Brookings, South Dakota).

The Bobcats will visit Washington State on Sept. 16, 2017 and Texas Tech on Aug. 31, 2019.

2016 MONTANA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE=

Sept. 1, at Idaho

Sept. 10, Bryant

Sept. 17, Western Oregon

Sept. 24, North Dakota*

Oct. 1, at Sacramento State*

Oct. 8, Northern Arizona*

Oct. 15, at Weber State*

Oct. 22, Eastern Washington

Nov. 5, at Southern Utah*

Nov. 12, UC Davis*

Nov. 19, at Montana*

* - Big Sky Conference game