Big Sky Conference sports sees a busy schedule over the next week as football, volleyball and golf teams are in action, while cross country gets a breather.

Third-ranked Montana (1-0) plays its home opener in football when it takes on Southern Utah University. The Grizzlies avoided seeing their 21-game regular season winning streak come to an end when Cal Poly missed a last minute field goal to preserve their 30-28 win last week. The Thunderbirds snapped an 18-game losing streak by downing Adams State 38-10.

The Grizzlies got a huge boost from seldom-used running back Andrew Schmidt. The senior, who came into the game with just 32 carries for 117 yards for his career, won offensive player of the week honors in the conference by carrying 26 times for 145 yards, 122 of which came in the second half.

UM's Brandon Fisher took home the defensive player of the week based on his seven total tackles, two tackles for loss and forced fumble effort. With the score tied 21-21 early in the fourth quarter, Fisher forced a fumble that ended up being recovered in the end zone for a safety. Fisher, the son of Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, was making his first career start at linebacker.

Despite last week's win the Thunderbirds haven't won a game against an FCS opponent since they beat Texas State in 2006 and have a string of 17 straight losses to FCS teams.

Montana State looks to rebound from its loss to Kansas State when it takes on another BCS conference foe in the University of Minnesota.

The game is the first meeting between the teams and only the second time MSU has faced a Big 10 opponent.

The Bobcats suffered their worst defeat since a 69-0 loss at the hands of Emmitt Smith and the Florida Gators back in 1988. They could be in for another beating this week as the revamped Golden Gophers are coming off a 42-17 win over Bowling Green.

The Big Sky football schedule is light this week with just five games. Other action includes Sacramento State hosting Western Oregon, Dixie State at Weber State with perhaps the most competitive matchup being the Portland State Vikings at UC Davis.

In other sports:

The UM volleyball team will play in the Arizona State University tournament this Friday and Saturday with scheduled matches against ASU, Cal State-Northridge and Cincinnati.

UM leads the conference in aces, and sophomore Jaimie Thibeault is second in the in blocks with 1.25 per outing.

MSU is entered in the Cougar Challenge at Washington State on the same days. The Bobcats take on Northwestern, Washington State and Wichita State. Kyla Hendry is third in the conference in blocks at 1.11 per game.

UM golf is at the Washington State Inland Cup on Monday and Tuesday, while MSU is off until the Bulldog (Gonzaga) and Eagle (Eastern Washington) Invite on Sept. 22.

Both cross country teams are off until next week when MSU will host the MSU Invite on Saturday. The Grizzlies will be in attendance.