Photo by: Daryn Hendrickson
Brent Vigen, Caden and Taco Dowler Represent MSU at 2026 Big Sky Kickoff Weekend
6/3/2026 10:12:00 AM | Football
Bobcat legend Dennis Erickson's induction into Big Sky Hall of Fame launches weekend activities
BOZEMAN, Mont. (June 3, 2026) – Two-time Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year Brent Vigen and a pair of All-America players represent Montana State at this summer's Big Sky Kickoff Weekend in Spokane, Washington this summer.
The annual event, presented by Northern Quest Resort & Casino, begins with the 2026 Big Sky Hall of Fame Gala on Saturday, July 25. Former Bobcat quarterback and assistant coach Dennis Erickson, who began his College Football Hall of Fame head coaching career at Idaho, is among this year's inductees. Monday, July 27, features over four hours of live interviews and highlights beginning at 10 am MT on ESPN+ and Scripps Sports.
Seniors Taco Dowler, an All-America return specialist and receiver, and 2025 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year Caden Dowler are among the 26 players participating in this year's event. Taco Dowler made two of the biggest plays in Bobcat football history last season, converting a third-and-20 into a touchdown in the fourth quarter of MSU's semifinal playoff win against the Grizzlies. Caden Dowler intercepted at least one pass in Each of the Big Sky's 13 football-playing members send two student-athletes and its head coach. The full lineup is below.
The 2026 Big Sky Hall of Fame Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. PT, on Saturday, July 25 at the Pend Oreille Pavilion building located on the north side of the Northern Quest Resort & Casino property. Tickets for the gala, which have sold out the past three years after reaching full capacity, can be purchased at BigSkyConf.com/HOF. Each ticket is $85, plus fees, which includes admission to the gala, a commemorative poster, and a meal. Purchasers will get to choose from among three options for their meal, those options can be found as well at BigSkyConf.com/HOF.
This year's inductees: Dennis Erickson, Montana State/Idaho (Football Student-Athlete/Head Coach); Frank Hawkins, Nevada (Football Student-Athlete); Eric Heins, Northern Arizona (Cross Country/Track and Field Head Coach); Amber Henry, Weber State (Cross Country/Track and Field Student-Athlete); Pam Parks, Eastern Washington (Volleyball Coach/Administrator); Michael Ray Richardson, Montana (Men's Basketball Student-Athlete); Jackie Ross Mattox, Idaho (Track and Field Student-Athlete); Willie Sojourner, Weber State (Men's Basketball Student-Athlete).
The schedule and other events will be announced by the Big Sky at a future date. Media members may apply for credentials to attend the weekend's event by following this link.
2026 Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend Attendees
Montana State: Brent Vigen (HC), Taco Dowler (WR), Caden Dowler (DB)
Cal Poly: Tim Skipper (HC), Leif Magnuson (OL), Mikey D'Amato (LB)
Eastern Washington: Aaron Best (HC), Malik Dotson (RB), Isaiah Perez (DL)
Idaho: Thomas Ford Jr. (HC), Joshua Wood (QB), Cruz Hepburn (LB)
Idaho State: Cody Hawkins (HC), Jordan Cooke (QB), Nathan Reynolds (LB)
Montana: Bobby Kennedy (HC), Eli Gillman (RB), Peyton Wing (LB)
Northern Arizona: Brian Wright (HC), Ty Pennington (QB), Ammon Allen (LB)
Northern Colorado: Ed Lamb (HC), Levi Johnson (OL), Blake Weslin (DL)
Portland State: Chris Fisk (HC), Terence Loville (WR), Jaxton Helmstetler (LB)
Southern Utah: DeLane Fitzgerald (HC), Will Burns (QB), Lincoln Tuioti-Mariner (LB)
UC Davis: Tim Plough (HC), Samuel Gbatu, Jr. (WR), Andrew Cofield (DB)
Utah Tech: Lance Anderson (HC), Asa Chatman (RB), Fasitootai Sagapolu (DL)
Weber State: Eric Kjar (HC), Devin Brown (QB), Trevian Tribble (DB)
#GoCatsGo
The annual event, presented by Northern Quest Resort & Casino, begins with the 2026 Big Sky Hall of Fame Gala on Saturday, July 25. Former Bobcat quarterback and assistant coach Dennis Erickson, who began his College Football Hall of Fame head coaching career at Idaho, is among this year's inductees. Monday, July 27, features over four hours of live interviews and highlights beginning at 10 am MT on ESPN+ and Scripps Sports.
Seniors Taco Dowler, an All-America return specialist and receiver, and 2025 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year Caden Dowler are among the 26 players participating in this year's event. Taco Dowler made two of the biggest plays in Bobcat football history last season, converting a third-and-20 into a touchdown in the fourth quarter of MSU's semifinal playoff win against the Grizzlies. Caden Dowler intercepted at least one pass in Each of the Big Sky's 13 football-playing members send two student-athletes and its head coach. The full lineup is below.
The 2026 Big Sky Hall of Fame Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. PT, on Saturday, July 25 at the Pend Oreille Pavilion building located on the north side of the Northern Quest Resort & Casino property. Tickets for the gala, which have sold out the past three years after reaching full capacity, can be purchased at BigSkyConf.com/HOF. Each ticket is $85, plus fees, which includes admission to the gala, a commemorative poster, and a meal. Purchasers will get to choose from among three options for their meal, those options can be found as well at BigSkyConf.com/HOF.
This year's inductees: Dennis Erickson, Montana State/Idaho (Football Student-Athlete/Head Coach); Frank Hawkins, Nevada (Football Student-Athlete); Eric Heins, Northern Arizona (Cross Country/Track and Field Head Coach); Amber Henry, Weber State (Cross Country/Track and Field Student-Athlete); Pam Parks, Eastern Washington (Volleyball Coach/Administrator); Michael Ray Richardson, Montana (Men's Basketball Student-Athlete); Jackie Ross Mattox, Idaho (Track and Field Student-Athlete); Willie Sojourner, Weber State (Men's Basketball Student-Athlete).
The schedule and other events will be announced by the Big Sky at a future date. Media members may apply for credentials to attend the weekend's event by following this link.
2026 Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend Attendees
Montana State: Brent Vigen (HC), Taco Dowler (WR), Caden Dowler (DB)
Cal Poly: Tim Skipper (HC), Leif Magnuson (OL), Mikey D'Amato (LB)
Eastern Washington: Aaron Best (HC), Malik Dotson (RB), Isaiah Perez (DL)
Idaho: Thomas Ford Jr. (HC), Joshua Wood (QB), Cruz Hepburn (LB)
Idaho State: Cody Hawkins (HC), Jordan Cooke (QB), Nathan Reynolds (LB)
Montana: Bobby Kennedy (HC), Eli Gillman (RB), Peyton Wing (LB)
Northern Arizona: Brian Wright (HC), Ty Pennington (QB), Ammon Allen (LB)
Northern Colorado: Ed Lamb (HC), Levi Johnson (OL), Blake Weslin (DL)
Portland State: Chris Fisk (HC), Terence Loville (WR), Jaxton Helmstetler (LB)
Southern Utah: DeLane Fitzgerald (HC), Will Burns (QB), Lincoln Tuioti-Mariner (LB)
UC Davis: Tim Plough (HC), Samuel Gbatu, Jr. (WR), Andrew Cofield (DB)
Utah Tech: Lance Anderson (HC), Asa Chatman (RB), Fasitootai Sagapolu (DL)
Weber State: Eric Kjar (HC), Devin Brown (QB), Trevian Tribble (DB)
#GoCatsGo
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