Tag: Mountain West

Mountain West Conference logo on the yardage chains. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-Imagn Images

Report: North Dakota State in talks with Mountain West

Posted on | by Field Level Media

North Dakota State is in a “serious dialogue” with the Mountain West about joining the conference as a football-only member starting this coming season, Yahoo Sports reported.

The Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse’s long-awaited move to the Football Bowl Subdivision could be finalized as soon as this weekend, according to Friday’s report.

The terms are presumably still being hammered out, including a potentially substantial entry fee for the Fargo-based school to join the Mountain West.

North Dakota State would become the league’s 10th football team for 2026, joining newcomers Northern Illinois and UTEP along with Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV and Wyoming.

North Dakota State has won 10 of the past 15 FCS national championships, most recently in 2024. The Bison finished 12-1 last season, losing to Illinois State in the second round of the playoffs.

–Field Level Media

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez granted contract extension

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Mountain West Conference commissioner Gloria Nevarez received a four-year contract extension on Thursday, keeping her on the job through Dec. 31, 2030.

She started as commissioner on Jan. 1, 2023, amid upheaval in college sports, and the Mountain West has not been spared.

The conference is poised to lose five teams to the reborn Pac-12 next fall while welcoming four new teams for the 2026-27 academic year.

On their way out are Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State. Coming in as either full or partial conference members are Grand Canyon, UTEP, UC Davis and Northern Illinois. Hawaii will become a full member.

“Commissioner Nevarez has demonstrated exceptional leadership during a period of rapid change across intercollegiate athletics,” said Ed Seidel, the chair of the Mountain West board of directors and president at member-school Wyoming.

“Her vision, collaborative approach, and steadfast commitment to student-athlete success have strengthened the Mountain West and positioned us for long-term stability. The Board of Directors is pleased to renew her contract, and we look forward to continuing our work together to advance the conference.”

–Field Level Media

Northern Illinois offensive lineman Abiathar Curry jumps in the air in celebration after winning a NCAA college football game 16-14 against Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend.

Northern Illinois becomes football-only member of Mountain West

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Northern Illinois confirmed Tuesday that it is joining the Mountain West in 2026 as a football-only member.

The school hasn’t made any decisions on where its other sports will play but remains in discussions with the Mid-American Conference.

The football program is exiting the MAC after having played in it since 1997. It was its second stint in the MAC.

“What a great opportunity for NIU Athletics as we expand our horizons, adapt to this new national model of college athletics and prepare to start a new chapter in the history of NIU Football,” Northern Illinois athletic director Sean T. Frazier said in a news release. “We are grateful to Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez and the membership of the Mountain West Conference for this invitation and to NIU President Lisa Freeman for her support as we navigated this process.

“The impact of this move to the Mountain West is going to be felt throughout our entire department and university. Our fans are going to enjoy the heightened competition, the media coverage and the additional opportunities the relationship with this conference and these great institutions provides.”

The Mountain West has been heavily involved in conference realignment with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State leaving for the revamped Pac-12 in 2026.

The addition of Northern Illinois gives the Mountain West nine football-playing members for 2026. The others are Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming.

“We are excited about adding the Northern Illinois University football program to the Mountain West,” Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a news release. “In evaluating NIU, the MW Board of Directors and Directors of Athletics carefully considered and were impressed by its history of football success and its commitment to academic excellence.”

The MAC said it appreciated Northern Illinois’ contributions to the conference.

“While we would have preferred that NIU remain a member of the MAC, we understand that each institution must make an independent decision,” MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement.

Northern Illinois went 8-5 overall and 4-4 in the MAC this season and posted a stunning upset of then-No.5 Notre Dame in September. That was the program’s first-ever victory over a Top 10 program.

The Huskies also enjoyed a stellar run from 2010-14 in which it compiled a 57-13 record.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; UC Davis Aggies quarterback Miles Hastings (7) throws a pass against the California Golden Bears during the third quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Mountain West adds UC Davis as non-football member

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The Mountain West announced Tuesday that it is adding UC Davis as a non-football member, effective July 1, 2026.

UC Davis will continue to keep its football program in the Big Sky at the FCS level. The school’s other sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, will be part of the Mountain West.

The addition gives the Mountain West eight football members and 10 overall. The conference is adding members to replace five that are leaving for the Pac-12 in 2026 — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State.

“Adding UC Davis further strengthens the trajectory of the Mountain West as it continues to build its brand that has proven to elevate institutions and student-athletes,” Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement. “Chancellor Gary S. May and Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca have shared their strategic plan and financial vision for enhancing student-athlete development, welfare, and competitive excellence, and I believe UC Davis brings a wealth of positives in the continuing growth of the Mountain West.”

UC Davis is located about 15 miles west of Sacramento, the capital of California.

UC Davis is in its 18th basketball season in the Big West and felt ready to make an upward move.

“Our transition to the highly regarded conference will introduce our Aggie community to a broader audience in major metropolitan areas and through increased media coverage,” May said in a statement. “It also provides us with an opportunity to align with universities that share similar academic strengths — such as agriculture, engineering, and sciences — while also expanding our competitive presence in the Western United States.”

UC Davis joins Grand Canyon as a non-football member in the Mountain West.

The eight football programs that will make up the future Mountain West include Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV and Wyoming. UTEP of Conference USA will also join the league in 2026.

–Field Level Media

UTEP Miners quarterback Cade McConnell (11) looks over towards the sideline before facing the Nebraska Cornhuskers defense during the first half at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, Saturday, August 31, 2024.

Report: Mountain West finalizing addition of UTEP

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The Mountain West Conference reportedly is in the final stages of adding UTEP as its seventh full-time member.

ESPN reported Monday night that the deal has yet to be finalized but that an announcement “is expected soon.”

The Miners of El Paso, Texas, have been members of Conference USA since 2005.

The Mountain West is rebuilding following the recent departures of five schools to the Pac-12: Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Utah State.

That left the MWC with six full-time members — Air Force, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV and Wyoming — with Hawaii as a partial (non-football) member. To be recognized as a conference under NCAA rules, the league will have to add two more schools by 2028.

Bringing aboard UTEP would still leave the Mountain West one member short. Earlier reports said the league has made a verbal offer to Texas State, which reportedly also has drawn interest from the Pac-12.

The Miners’ football program (0-4, 0-1 CUSA) has been to 15 bowl games, most recently the New Mexico Bowl in 2021. The men’s basketball program has been to the NCAA Tournament 17 times, including a national championship in 1966.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; UNLV Rebels defensive back Kris Williams (17) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Reports: Air Force, UNLV staying in Mountain West

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UNLV and Air Force have opted to remain in the Mountain West Conference, according to multiple reports late Wednesday.

UNLV rejected overtures from the rebuilding Pac-12 Conference. Air Force turned down heavy interest from the American Athletic Conference.

The decisions by the Runnin’ Rebels and the Falcons to stay put follows the previously announced departures of five Mountain West members to the Pac-12: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State.

Air Force and UNLV made the choice to stay put after receiving “significant financial incentives,” Yahoo Sports reported. A specific dollar figure was not provided.

The Mountain West has six full members and seven football-playing schools, including Hawaii. It still must meet the minimum requirement of eight member schools set by the NCAA and College Football Playoff.

All of the remaining Mountain West schools — including New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State and Wyoming — are expected to sign a binding agreement with the league on Thursday, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports.

With seven members, the Pac-12 is still one short of the minimum requirements. On Monday, Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA all passed on Pac-12 offers to remain in the AAC.

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The Mountain West conference logo on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Four Mountain West schools set to join Pac-12

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The Pac-12 might be ready to rise again.

Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State are set to exit the Mountain West to join the Pac-12 for the 2026-27 school year, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday night.

The moves reportedly could be announced as soon as Thursday.

Just two schools remain in the Pac-12 — Oregon State and Washington State — after an offseason that saw 10 schools join other power conferences. Oregon, Washington, UCLA and Southern California moved to the Big Ten; Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State shifted to the Big 12; and Cal and Stanford joined the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The NCAA is giving the Pac-12 until July 2026 to have a minimum of eight universities if the league is to remain part of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The reported Mountain West addition would still leave the league two short, though officials are pursuing additional options.

The four schools looking to join the Pac-12 reportedly would have to pay an exit fee of at least $17 million. The Pac-12 also would owe the Mountain West $43 million for taking schools away, part of the deal it reached to arrange scheduling of football matchups for Oregon State and Washington State this year.

Colorado State and San Diego State have been in the Mountain West since the league’s founding in 1999. Boise State joined the conference in 2011, and Fresno State followed in 2012. One of those four schools won or shared the league’s football championship in 10 of the past 12 seasons.

–Field Level Media

Oregon State Beavers running back Anthony Hankerson (0) runs the ball to score a touchdown in the first half of the game against Idaho State on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.

Mountain West not planning to play ‘Pac-2’ schools in 2025

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The Mountain West Conference had an agreement to schedule football games for its member schools against Oregon State and Washington State this season, but it does not plan to do so again in 2025, the league said in a statement Monday.

Oregon State and Washington State were the two universities left over from the dissolution of the Pac-12, now unofficially referred to as the “Pac-2.” The Beavers and Cougars are endeavoring to play solid football schedules while their long-term futures in the college athletics economy are up in the air.

“The football scheduling arrangement with Oregon State and Washington State was a one-year agreement,” the Mountain West said in a statement. “For the 2025 season, the Mountain West and its member institutions are moving forward with their conference and nonconference schedules. Our focus remains on the current season and our exceptional teams.”

The Mountain West’s scheduling formula for 2024 is a 7+1 structure, where member institutions are playing seven games against traditional conference opponents and one game against either Oregon State or Washington State.

Washington State will face San Jose State, Hawaii, Utah State and Wyoming at home this season and visit Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and New Mexico. The Cougars also have Power Four games scheduled against Texas Tech and former Pac-12 rival Washington.

Meanwhile, Oregon State is scheduled to play Colorado State, UNLV and San Jose State at home and San Diego State, Nevada, Air Force and Boise State on the road. The Beavers scheduled Purdue from the Big Ten along with former Pac-12 rivals Oregon (at home) and Cal (on the road).

Washington State will visit Oregon State on Nov. 23.

The two schools also entered a two-year contract to be affiliate members of the West Coast Conference in 12 sports, most notably men’s and women’s basketball. The WCC is the home of Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers fans cheering during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Washington State, Oregon State finalizing MWC alliance

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Oregon State and Washington State are finalizing an agreement that would ally the two remaining teams of the Pac-12 conference with the Mountain West Conference for the 2024 football season, Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday.

The Mountain West would receive a fee of about $14 million under the one-year agreement, which has a renewal option for 2025, per the report. A formal announcement could be made this week.

Under the agreement, the Mountain West teams would play seven conference games, plus an eighth against either Oregon State or Washington State.

Oregon State and Washington State were left behind when the other 10 teams of the conference decided to leave the conference for the 2024 season.

The Mountain West consists of Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State and Wyoming. Hawaii is a participant in football.

Under the agreement, Oregon State and Washington State would not be eligible to play for the Mountain West title and they will play as “quasi-independents under the Pac-12 banner,” Yahoo reported.

At this time, the scheduling partnership would apply only to football. Talks are in progress for a potential scheduling agreement for men’s and women’s basketball, and the two Pac-12 schools are discussing affiliate memberships with leagues for other sports.

Oregon State finished the regular football season at 8-4 (5-4 Pac-12). Washington State began the season 4-0, which included a win over the Beavers, and concluded with a 5-7 (2-7) mark.

UNLV (9-3, 6-2 MWC) will host Boise State (7-5, 6-2) on Saturday in the Mountain West championship game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; A detailed view of an end zone pylon with the San Diego State Aztecs and Mountain West logo during the second half against the Air Force Falcons at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Report: SDSU must pay legal fees after threat to exit Mountain West

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San Diego State can stay in the Mountain West through the 2024-25 school year, the conference reportedly told the school, but at a price of paying legal fees stemming from its attempted exit.

The conference’s board of directors met Monday and reached that decision, although they also agreed to pay out more than $6.6 million they had withheld from the school, Yahoo Sports reported on Tuesday.

San Diego State, which had been mentioned as a possible target of the Big 12, announced its intention last month to leave the Mountain West after the upcoming school year. The departure meant triggering an exit fee of $34 million to the conference, although the school hoped to halve that fee because it announced its decision to leave before July 1.

However, when the school had no clear plans where it would land later in June, it asked the Mountain West for extra time to set its future course, without paying the higher fee. Just before the deadline, the school backtracked and said it was not leaving at all.

The conference maintained that San Diego State had already withdrawn and needed to pay the exit fee, and withheld some of the money it owed the school as an installment on that fee.

The conference made that payment on Tuesday, according to Yahoo Sports.

–Field Level Media