Gonzaga's dominating wins in 1939 and 1940, both shutouts, were led by halfback Tony Canadeo,[4][5] a future member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

[22] Prior to both teams joining the new Big Sky Conference as charter members in 1963, Idaho had a large lead in the series at 55–21 (.724).

After sixteen years in the Big Sky, Gonzaga left for the WCAC in the summer of 1979, but the rivalry continued as an annual game (and occasionally biannual).

[23] The Vandals' most recent win was 28 years ago in January 1998 at home,[24] and they last won in Spokane in December 1989.

Baseball was one of five sports that the Big Sky stopped sponsoring in 1974,[26][27] so both moved to the new Nor-Pac in 1975,[28][29] and continued as conference foes until Idaho dropped its program in May 1980.