GUNNISON, Colo. - The 2018 football season will commence for Western State Colorado University on Friday. The Mountaineers travel to Pocatello, Idaho for a showdown against NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision opponent, Idaho State University. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. (MDT) inside the domed Holt Arena.

"Our players and coaches are excited to get out and play," Western Head Coach Jas Bains said. "Idaho State is a tough opponent for us, but it's a great opportunity and I think our players will respond to the challenge."

Western is coming off a 1-10 season in 2017. However, the Mountaineers return 16 starters. Many of which, saw playing time at the college level for the very first time last season.

On offense, the Mountaineers return last season's leading rusher in Ty Leyba (266 yards); leading passer Dylan Jacob (1,046 yards); and leading receiver Rodray Perkins (396 yards).

Defensively, last year's leading tackler, Lane Farris (81 tackles) returns at linebacker for Western. He is joined by Jonah Mitchell, who tied for the team lead in sacks (3.0) and Mitchell Jones, who tied for the team lead in interceptions (2).

ISU finished the 2017 season with a 4-7 overall record and a 2-6 record in the Big Sky Conference.

Like the Mountaineers, the Bengals return their leading rusher (James Madison - 933 yards), leading passer (Tanner Gueller - 2,754) and leading receiver (Michael Dean - 754 yards).

ISU did lose their leading tackler from a season ago, but do return their leaders in sacks (Paea Moala - 4.0) and interceptions (Adkin Aguirre - 5).

Friday night's game will be the lone non-conference matchup of the season for Western. The 11-game schedule features 10 games against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) opponents.

Those unable to attend Saturday's game on the road can follow all the action live over the internet (live stats, live video) and on social media (@WSCUMountaineer, @MountaineerFB).

SERIES HISTORY
Friday will mark the 28th game played between Western and Idaho State. The Bengals hold a 19-7-1 edge over the Mountaineers.
 
The first game between the two schools dates back to 1931 when ISU defeated Western 7-6 in Pocatello, Idaho.
 
The most recent game came on Sept. 14, 2013. The Bengals won 29-3 at home.
 
The last Mountaineer victory against ISU was in 1962, when Western defeated the Bengals 17-16 in Mountaineer Bowl.
 
The Mountaineers are 2-14 on the road against ISU. The last Western win on the road against the Bengals came in 1951, with Western winning by a score of 40-25.
 
The lone tie in the series came in 1946 - 6-6 in Gunnison.
 
SEASON OPENERS
Western is 32-60 all-time in season openers. Since 1995, the Mountaineers are 1-22 in season openers. Last season, Western lost to Colorado Mesa University 49-23 in the season opener.
 
The last opening day win for the Mountaineers came in 2014 against Wayland Baptist, 38-21, on the road.
 
Of their 32 season opening wins, Western has finished those seasons with a winning record 19 times (59.4 percent) and won the conference title 12 times (37.5 percent).
 
AGAINST TEAMS FROM IDAHO
Against all teams from Idaho, the Mountaineers have a 9-21-1 record.
 
Western has played the College of Idaho and Southern Idaho twice, splitting both games against both teams.
 
In the state of Idaho, the Mountaineers have a 3-15 record.
 
THE BAINS REIGN
Entering the 2018 season, Western Head Coach Jas Bains is tied with Paul Wright (1935-47) for the sixth most wins by a Mountaineer football coach at 20.
 
Bains is two wins away from tying Jeff Zenisek (2001-05) for the fifth most wins by a coach in program history at 22.
 
Bains, entering his eighth season, has coached the third most games for the Mountaineers at 77.
 
Carl "Duke" Iverson (1988-2000) holds the second most games coached at Western with 127.
 
LOST AND RETURNED
Offensive Starters Returning (7)
OL Andrew Berrier (10 GS), OL Oreva Koka (7 GS), OL Stephan Land (4 GS), QB Dylan Jacob (111-207-10, 1,046 yds, 5 TD), RB Ty Leyba ( 79 att, 266 yds), WR Rodray Perkins (45 rec, 396 yds, 1 TD), WR Zach Manchester (20 rec, 150 yds, 1 TD)
 
Offensive Starters Lost (4)
OL Andy Armstrong (10 GS), OL Tim Dolan (10 GS), WR Anthony Fletcher (6 rec, 101 yds), TE Steve D'Epagnier (10 rec, 71 yds, 1 TD)
 
Defensive Starters Returning (9)
DL Will Lydle (25 TT, 1.0 TFL), DE Jonah Mitchell (44 TT, 11.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 FF), DE Mark Zavala (37 TT, 10.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 FF), LB Desmond Marfizo (65 TT, 6.0 TFL), LB Lane Farris (81 TT, 11.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks), LB Joey Dill (39 TT, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks), DB Kyree Goodman (30 TT, 1.0 TFL, 6 PBr), DB David Velazquez (42 TT, 0.5 TFL, 1 FF), DB Mason Bode (24 TT, 1 INT, 8 PBr)
 
Defensive Starters Lost (2)
DL Victor Alvarez (46 TT, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 sacks), DB Will Halligan (35 TT, 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 INT)
 
Specialists Returning (3)
P Garrett Boyd (70 att, 2,798 yds, 39.97 avg, 5 50+, 13 I20), PR/KR Rodray Perkins (16 PRatt, 143 PRyds, 8.94 PRavg, 20 KRatt, 419 KRyds, 20.95 KRavg), LS Kacin Nowlin (10 GP)
 
Specialists Lost (1)
K Max Smith (17 FGA, 8 FGM, 10 XP)
 
RECORD WATCH
These Mountaineers have reached the peak or are climbing the
Western all-time lists.
 
CAREER KICK RETURN YARDS
1. Jimmy Evans      1997-00   1,393
2. Rodray Perkins   2015-          1,295