Only two of six Big Sky teams found the win column over the weekend. One of the two wins came against a Division II team, while the other - No. 3 Montana's 27-20 win over Maine - came against a highly touted opponent.

The Grizzlies came into the game with the No. 11 Black Bears with concerns along the offensive line, at kicker and in the defensive backfield. The offensive line allowed just three sacks in providing slightly injured quarterback Craig Ochs the time to complete 22-of-33 passes for three TDs and no interceptions.

Kicker Dan Carpenter was the most uplifting player of the day for UM as the true freshman out of Helena High kicked two field goals ( from 32 and 47 yards) and made all three of his extra points. Along with that Carpenter's kickoffs were strong and helped allow UM's coverage team to drop the Black Bears behind the 20-yard line on several occasions.

The Montana secondary came through with a pair of interceptions despite allowing Maine quarterback Ron Whitcomb to complete 75% of his passes.

The Grizzlies were out-gained 359-334, but Maine collected a big chunk of its total yardage on a last-ditch drive.

Montana's discipline was also impressive as it had just three penalties for 35 yards, compared to 12 flags for 119 yards for the Black Bears.

Portland State grabbed the other win for the conference, a 38-0 drubbing of Western State (Colo.).

The Vikings overwhelmed the Black Bears as Ryan Fuqua, who is capping off his career at PSU, ran for 141 yards on 18 carries. The four-year starter scored touchdowns on runs of 26, 41 and one yard.

Despite the lopsided win, PSU was sloppy in amassing 131 yards in penalties. Quarterback Joe Wiser and backup Sawyer Smith threw for 190 yards but completed just 13 passes in 27 attempts and the Mountaineers intercepted two of them.

Idaho State and Northern Arizona both lost to Division I-A foes. The Bengals, who ditched their previously scheduled game with Carroll College for last weekend to take a more lucrative offer from San Diego State, fell behind 24-0 in the first quarter in a 38-21 loss.

NAU was able to hang tight with PAC-10 opponent Arizona as it trailed just 7-3 going into the fourth quarter. The Lumberjacks were at a virtual standstill in total yardage trailing 198-196. A rare rainstorm soaked Arizona Stadium before the game, but new UA coach Mike Stoops was able to become only the second coach in 32 years to win his opener for the Wildcats.

Weber State's 2004 campaign is off to a slow start after last year's 8-4 finish. The Wildcats fell to Southern Utah 34-31 at home. WSU running back Nick Chournos ran for 119 yards on 26 carries.

Like, Weber State, Eastern Washington also had a disappointing, and mystifying, beginning when it lost 37-14 to a Nichols State team that was playing without 15 suspended starters. EWU, which has 16 returning starters, was expected by many to challenge for the Big Sky title.

Big Sky action continues next Saturday with several teams taking on Division I-A opponents. EWU is at Air Force, Sacramento State plays Nevada in Reno and Weber State travels to University of Texas-El Paso. Montana hosts Hofstra, NAU is at Stephen F. Austin, Montana State takes on Division II Adams State in Bozeman, and Idaho State entertains Cal Poly.