Idaho football participated in the 2018 Big Sky Football Kickoff Sunday and Monday, in Spokane, Wash. The two-day media event featured the head coach and two student-athletes from all 13 Big Sky schools. The Vandals were represented by seniors Kaden Elliss and Isaiah Saunders, in addition to head coach Paul Petrino.

The event served as an opportunity for local, regional and national media members to speak with coaches, student-athletes and league officials. Below is a sampling of the media coverage of Idaho's official return to the Big Sky.

• Bullies on the Block? Idaho eager to make run in first year back in Big Sky (Billings Gazette)
• Foes become friends at Big Sky Conference media days (Spokesman Review)
• VIDEO: Paul Petrino talks transition into Big Sky (SWX)
• 102.9 ESPN Missoula coverage and interviews (ESPN Missoula)
• Spokane television stations KHQ (SWX), KREM and KXLY were all in attendance and will be airing content from media day throughout the week

Each coach and student-athlete at media day took part in a live interview with PlutoTV, the Big Sky Conference's Over-the-Top Partner. Links to the archives of those live streams can be found below:

• PlutoTV Big Sky Football Kickoff Live - Coaches (Paul Petrino at 1:54:00 mark)
• PlutoTV Big Sky Football Kickoff Live - Student-Athletes (Elliss and Saunders at 2:31:40 mark)

The Big Sky Kickoff also featured the release of the preseason coaches' and media polls, as well as the 2018 Preseason All-Big Sky Team.

The Vandals were picked to finish fourth by the coaches and fifth by the media in the preseason polls. Cade Coffey, Kaden Elliss and Noah Johnson were each named to the All-Big Sky Preseason Team.

Vandals picked fourth and fifth in @BigSkyConf preseason polls. Coffey, Elliss and Johnson named to All-@BigSkyFB Preseason Team. #TheReturn
STORY: https://t.co/owTYd4XS34 pic.twitter.com/neapRuzlmN

— Idaho Football (@VandalFootball) July 16, 2018

The student-athletes in attendance also had the opportunity to visit Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.

A few photos of #BigSkyFB's visit to @providence_phc! #WhereGreatnessGrows #BigSkyConf pic.twitter.com/90kVlA9iOr

— Big Sky Football (@BigSkyFB) July 16, 2018

Fall camp begins the first week of August, and the season kicks off Sept. 1, at Fresno State. Idaho's home opener is Sept. 8, against Western New Mexico. The Vandals open Big Sky play Sept. 22, at UC Davis and the first home conference game is Sept. 29, against Portland State.
 
Season tickets and two-game flex packs are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at GoVandals.com/tickets, by calling 208-885-6466 or visiting the Athletic Ticket Office in the Kibbie Dome.