{
  "id": 4992291,
  "title": "Eastern Washington renews rivalry with Missouri Valley foe | Big Sky notebook",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/eastern-washington-renews-rivalry-with-missouri-valley-foe-big-sky",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T02:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/eastern-washington-renews-rivalry-missouri-020200954.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Eastern Washington prepares for a Big Sky football game on Saturday that will pit their team against a Missouri Valley Football Conference opponent. The Missouri Valley is considered an equal to the Big Sky, and Northern Iowa head coach Todd Stepsis is eager for his team to face strong competition before the conference season begins. Northern Iowa has been seeking to secure a victory over Eastern Washington, who defeated them consecutively in 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, South Dakota, currently ranked No. 11, will host Eastern Washington in their upcoming game on Sept. 12. Additionally, there are other nonconference matchups between the Big Sky and Missouri Valley teams, such as North Dakota playing Portland State on Sept. 12.",
  "summary": "Sep. 1—This week's Big Sky football slate offers just about every nonconference matchup possible. Four teams have a chance to upset an FBS opponent. Two Big Sky teams match up in a game that won't count in the conference standings. Another hosts a Division II team in one of the league's two games against a DII opponent this season. Three play a team from the recently maligned Pioneer Football ...",
  "key_points": [
    "Eastern Washington faces Missouri Valley foe in Big Sky game",
    "Northern Iowa seeks victory over Eastern Washington",
    "South Dakota hosts Eastern Washington on Sept. 12"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This matchup signals a test for Eastern Washington against a strong out-of-conference opponent, as teams from the Missouri Valley Conference, considered equal to the Big Sky, seek to gauge their strength.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}