When Idaho took the field with just over six minutes left in the game, senior offensive lineman Mike Marboe demanded one thing from his offense.
“I said in the huddle we’re not leaving until this game is won,” he said. “We played awesome, I’m so proud of our guys. One of our goals this week was run to win … and that’s what we did.”
With the 29-17 Homecoming victory over New Mexico State Saturday, Idaho no longer owns the nations longest losing streak — which was at 13 before the game.
“It feels awesome,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “I’m really happy for our players, I’m happy for our assistant coaches … I’m happy for all the people that hurt so bad each week.”
The game got off to a rocky start, as freshman quarterback Matt Linehan took a hit to his head while he attempted to slide and avoid contact. New Mexico State linebacker Kawe Johnson, the player who hit Linehan, was immediately ejected from the game.
Linehan did not return to the game and sophomore quarterback Chad Chalich replaced him.
Petrino said the hit was cheap, but Linehan would be okay and even wanted to come back into the game.
“I just told him that I love him,” he said. “You never want to see anybody get hit like that, it’s pretty ridiculous. He’s going to be alright.”
Chalich stepped up and led the offense not only with his arm, but with his legs as well. He finished 18 of 32 for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception and rushed for 80 yards.
Petrino said Chalich played great because he’s been able to keep a positive attitude and stay focus this whole season.
“I’m really proud of the way he played,” Marboe said of Chalich. “He stepped in, I looked at him in the eyes and just said ‘lets go’ and he was ready to go. He did a great job of coming in and just playing hard, making plays and leading us to victory.”
It didn’t take long for Chalich to find rhythm. On the second drive, he found senior wide receiver Josh McCain for a 49-yard touchdown pass.
Chalich got some help from the running game, too — especially Jerrel Brown.
“He was hot,” Petrino said. “I just felt like he was running good … I tell those backs all the time, whoever is hot, that’s who is going to keep getting fed.”
The senior finished with 151 yards on 23 carries, he also rushed for his first career touchdown with the Vandals.
The Vandal defense stepped up, as well. At one point they held New Mexico State to four-straight three and outs.
Petrino said it was their goal to shut down the Aggies top wide receiver, Teldrick Morgan. He said all week the coaching staff emphasized they didn’t want him to catch one ball — and the defense came through, as Morgan didn’t register one single catch.
“We worked off our butts off to do that,” Petrino said. “I just thought no matter what quarterback was in there if you take 19 away it would be frustrating for them. He was their comfort guy and I didn’t want him catching any balls.”
Junior cornerback Jayshawn Jordan led the secondary with two interceptions. He now leads the team with three on the season.
“It was a great team win,” Petrino said. “That’s how you win as a team. Play good defense and run the ball — that’s kind of what we did at the end.”
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]
