Idaho football appeared to get back into the form that many fans had expected, but was unable to hold on to an early 11-point lead in an entertaining back-and-forth 37-28 loss to Western Michigan in Kalamazoo.
On both offense and defense, Idaho (1-2) played well enough to get the job done, but a late push by Western Michigan (1-2), led in particular by the second-half play of Bronco quarterback Jon Wassink, proved too much for the Vandals.
Head coach Paul Petrino said in a news release that the Vandals played well for the majority of the game, but they needed to do more.
“I thought we were way better for three quarters, but we have to find a way to win that game in the fourth quarter,” Petrino said. “The first three quarters was by far the best football we’ve played, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t finish it off in the fourth quarter.”
Senior quarterback Matt Linehan looked calm and composed and spread the ball to seven different receivers. Linehan went 16-26 with 229 yards, four touchdowns, one on the ground, and one interception while senior running back Aaron Duckworth was impressive once again, racking up 157 offensive yards on just 15 touches.
Idaho’s rushing defense, led by senior defensive tackle Aikeem Coleman’s three tackles for loss and junior linebacker Tony Lashley’s game-high 12 tackles, played exceptionally well, limiting the Broncos’ experienced run game to only 135 total yards.
Waldo Stadium was silent early, as the home-team Broncos, a once 12-1 Cotton Bowl team, found themselves down 14-3 early in the second quarter.
Western Michigan opened scoring with a 27 yard field goal by Josh Grant after Anton Balabani stripped Linehan on a blindside sack. On the ensuing play, Linehan found senior running back Aaron Duckworth wide open downfield for a 60-yard catch and run. Sophomore tight end Joseph Wysocki was left all alone in the end zone on the next play, allowing Linehan to dump it off for six off of a fake quarterback run.
Duckworth would further Idaho momentum with a 74-yard scamper one minute into the second quarter. Junior wide receiver David Ungerer caught his first career touchdown as a Vandal on a cleared inside curl route, putting Idaho up 11 points.
Idaho led Western Michigan in almost every category at the half, as the Vandals racked up 88 more total yards and 6.9 yards per play, compared to 3.4 for WMU. The Broncos held the ball for nearly three minutes longer than Idaho, but their lack of offensive fireworks put a damper on scoring.
Both defenses shined considerably in the first half, forcing pressure often. But the second half featured more of a shootout, as momentum was traded between both offenses.
A 41-yard kick return by Bronco cornerback Darius Phillips, upheld after a flag for targeting on WMU was questionably picked up, led to a 15-yard reception by D’way Eskridge to close the lead to 14-13.
On the very next play, WMU took a 19-13 lead, its first since 3-0, with a 19-yard LeVant Bellamy blast for a touchdown.
Idaho would regain momentum quickly, as Linehan found senior wide receiver Alfonso Onunwor downfield for 47 yards.
WMU’s next drive stalled early, as a hard hit by freshman defensive-back Jalen Hoover in the backfield was followed by a forced fumble by senior safety Armond Hawkins on a crushing tackle. Idaho regained possession and wasted no time, as Linehan again found Onunwor, this time for a 39-yard touchdown on a streak.
The first play of the fourth quarter was crushing for Idaho. Western Michigan corner Obbie Jackson picked off a pass intended for Onunwor, who tripped as the ball was midair.
A seven-play, 80-yard drive over the next two minutes for the Broncos was capped off by a strong, evasive run from Wassink, who was pushed into the end zone after avoiding several tackles. Western Michigan had regained control of the game.
A later quarterback sneak gave the Broncos a 34-28 lead with about seven minutes remaining.
After an Idaho turnover, the Broncos ran down the clock and put the game effectively out of reach with a field-goal with two minutes left.
Despite the loss, Idaho made significant improvements compared to the last two weeks. The Vandals outgained the Broncos, 399 to 347, but turned the ball over three times to the nation’s top-team in turnover margin last season.
On his return, Onunwor was effective, catching four balls for 96 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Isaiah Saunders contributed to the run-game, adding 65 yards. Coffey had three punts travel over 50 yards, one bouncing out at the one-yard line.
The Vandals will play South Alabama 11 a.m. Sept. 23 in Mobile, Alabama.
Colton Clark can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @coltonclark95