On a day of trickery, the Vandals are left with their first loss in the Kibbie Dome this season.
Idaho football dropped its second straight Big Sky game in a 35-41 loss to No. 4 Weber State.
“We knew they were a tough and physical team and we were challenging ourselves to play with that kind of toughness,” Idaho Head Coach Paul Petrino said after the game.
From the start of Saturday’s game, Weber State brought the intensity and physicality to the Kibbie Dome.
On the opening Weber State possession, the Wildcats ran down the field on a 54-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Josh Davis to take a 7-0 lead.
Idaho senior quarterback Mason Petrino fumbled twice in the first half, but the Wildcats could only convert with field goals. By the end of the first quarter, Idaho trailed 0-13 with Weber State threatening to blow this game open.
Then the Vandals decided to wake up and show why they are so dominant inside the Kibbie Dome.
Lead by strong defensive play, and a huge interception by redshirt sophomore defensive back Devontae Ginwright, the Vandals found themselves back in the game to take a 14-13 lead.
Weber State would respond with a methodical drive of its own to hold a 20-14 lead at halftime.
The Wildcats kicked the second half off with a 75-yard 10 play drive to find the endzone again to make it 27-14.
Redshirt freshman Aundre Carter breaks off for a big gain against Weber State on Saturday. Saydee Brass | Argonaut
While the shoot out continued, one particular score looked to be the deciding factor of Saturday’s game.
With the Vandals coming up with a big third-down stop inside the redzone, it seemed that the Wildcats were forced to a field goal.
Instead, trickery pursued, and Weber State holder Doug Floyd grabbed the ball, found a perfect hole and ran 30 yards for the Wildcat touchdown.
The two-touchdown lead would continue into the fourth quarter, with Idaho not being able to pull off the comeback.
Here are some takeaways from Saturday’s action.
Matching intensity: Idaho proves once again that they play as well as its competition, looking like a team worthy of knocking off a top FCS opponent.
Against one of the best defenses in the FCS, Idaho finished with 405 total yards on offense with 35 points on the scoreboard.
Despite the loss of redshirt senior wide receiver Jeff Cotton and redshirt freshman Aundre Carter midway through the game, it is an impressive feat to be able to stay toe to toe with the No. 4 team in the nation.
“We fought. There’s no way to say we didn’t fight,” Petrino said. “We’re not that far off from being a good football team.”
With Cotton going down to injury, redshirt sophomore Cutrell Haywood stepped up in his absence.
Haywood finished with 10 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown, being the go-to receiver play after play.
“I told myself I had to step up,” Haywood said after the game. “I always told myself I have to be that player but he’s just one of those players when they have eyes on him they can come to me.”
Passion with no discipline: Throughout many moments in this game, the Vandals did not seem disciplined enough to pull off the upset.
Just like a week ago, penalties killed the Vandals early.
In the first quarter, Idaho committed six penalties for 57 yards. By the end of the game, Idaho totaled 12 penalties for 144 yards.
Special teams struggled mightily throughout the game, allowing 2 fake punts for a first down as well as the fake field goal for a touchdown.
To top off the mistakes, Mason fumbled the ball 3 times, with two of the turnovers leading to field goals to make it a two-score lead that Idaho had a difficult time overcoming.
“I think we were ready but we were just hurting ourselves,” Paul said. “My dad’s old saying is discipline gives passion a purpose. I think we had all the passion, but we have to do things right and have the discipline so we play with a purpose.”
The Vandals will travel to take on the Portland State Vikings at 2 p.m. Oct. 12.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @chris_DEREMER