Idaho reluctantly agreed to conference play for the 1965 season, but maintained the upper tier status by filling their non-conference schedule with other University Division teams. After a weak schedule in 1966, when "Thunder Ray" McDonald led the nation in rushing, the program was temporarily downgraded by the NCAA in August 1967, but was elevated back to the University Division in July 1969, which was renamed "Division I" for the 1973 season. The Big Sky added two teams in 1970, and it became increasingly difficult for the Vandals to stay healthy through its non-conference games, then often fared poorly with reserves when conference play resumed. With the formation of Division I-AA in 1978, both Idaho and the Big Sky were moved to the new division for its first year, also Davitch's.