Idaho improves to 6-1 out of its last seven Homecoming games
With a 12-point lead and time running out, the Vandal offense lined up in victory formation. The ball was snapped, quarterback Chad Chalich took a knee and Idaho won 29-17 over rival New Mexico State.
“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 victory comes right before Idaho enters its bye week. With no game this week, Petrino said the coaches will be on the road recruiting potential Vandals.
Junior cornerback Jayshawn Jordan interrupts a pass from New Mexico State quarterback Tyler Rodgers in the fourth quarter of Idaho’s 29-17 victory Saturday in the Kibbie Dome.
Idaho’s next game is Nov. 1 against Arkansas State in the Kibbie Dome.
Throughout the season, Idaho has had the look of an improved team from last year but hasn’t had any wins to show for it.
After close finishes in the majority of their games this season, the Vandals finally broke through Saturday and put an end to their 13-game losing streak, which was the worst in the nation.
“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.”
The game got off to a rocky start when freshman quarterback Matt Linehan took a hit to his head during the Vandals’ first offensive drive.
New Mexico State linebacker Kawe Johnson struck Linehan as he attempted to slide and avoid getting hit. Johnson was immediately penalized and ejected from the game.
Petrino said the hit was cheap, but Linehan would be okay and even wanted to come back into the game.
“He got wacked in the head,” Petrino said. “I think he’ll be fine. When I was a kid, they would have put the smelling salts in your nose and you would have gone right back in the game.”
Phillip Vukelich | Argonaut
Chalich took over the offense and performed admirably. The sophomore from Coeur d’Alene finished 18-of-32 for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception and rushed for 73 yards, as well.
“I’m really proud of the way he played,” senior offensive lineman Mike Marboe said. “He did a great job of coming in and just playing hard, making plays and leading us to victory.”
Chalich got help from the running game, led by senior running back Jerrel Brown.
The senior from San Mateo, California, finished with 151 yards on 23 carries. He also rushed for his first career touchdown with the Vandals.
Brown credits the offensive line for his career day. He said they opened up holes so big a bus could have fit through them.
“I was just hungry all day,” Brown said. “This whole team wanted this win, this whole coaching staff, this whole university wanted this win, probably more than anybody knows it. I tried to put the team on my back and just to make sure we got it. We needed that win so I just tried to run hard.”
Idaho also had arguably its best game of the season on defense. 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 a single ball.
The defense came through and Morgan didn’t register one 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 (No.) 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 not only played a role in stopping Morgan, but also came up with two huge fourth quarter interceptions.
Phillip Vukelich |Argonaut
Vandal quarterback Matt Linehan in the first quarter of the game Saturday in the Kibbie Dome. Despite losing Linehan as their starting quarterback, the Vandals went to defeat the Aggies 29-17 with Chad Chalich playing quarterback.
The junior from Seattle gave credit to the coaching staff and defensive line. He said the line pressured the New Mexico State quarterbacks into making poor throws and the coaching staff put him in the right positions.
“Our biggest thing is our coaches tell us to be a lot more aggressive,” Jordan said. “We knew what they were going to do before they did it, and that just all came from our coaches and watching film all week.”
After the game, echoes from the team chanting could be heard throughout the Kibbie Dome. Petrino said the win makes everything easier.
“It makes just walking out of this building easier,” Petrino said. “It will be a good night, but we got to get right back to work.”
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]