The #4 Idaho Vandals lost to the Weber State Wildcats 31-29 on Saturday as they fell to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big Sky Conference.
Idaho’s offense outgained Weber State’s, gaining 418 total yards of offense, compared to the Wildcat’s 291.
Idaho relied heavily on the passing game, with redshirt sophomore quarterback Gevani McCoy attempting 51 passes, completing 33 of those for a season high 346 passing yards, and a passing touchdown.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Hayden Hatten had arguably his best game this season, putting up a season-high 175 yards on a season-high 14 receptions. He also added on a touchdown.
Idaho was outrushed in the game, being held to under 100 yards rushing with 72. The only other game where they had under 100 was the loss against Montana, where they had 58. Weber State rushed for 139 yards, led by the double-headed backfield of Kris Jackson and Adrian Cormier.
“That’s not how we want to play. Any game that we lose the rushing battle we are going to be in danger of losing,” Head Coach Jason Eck said during a press conference. “They did a good job running the ball and moving the chains consistently, and a great job of stopping our run game.”
Idaho came out with a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter with a 32-yard field goal by Ricardo Chavez and a Nick Romano rushing touchdown.
After a touchdown drive by Weber State, Idaho had a promising drive that was taken back by a penalty and a sack, which lead to Ricardo Chavez trotting out to tie his career long field goal of 53 yards.
“With the coaches we have and the trust they have in me that’s only a plus from me,” Chavez pointed out about how reliable the team sees him. “Kicking is all about confidence, and it feels good having that confidence in me from a head coach.”
Special teams showed to be a very valuable aspect of the game that was in favor of Weber State, as late in the third quarter, senior punt returner Haze Hadley returned a punt 71 yards to give the Wildcats the ball at the Idaho 12, where they were able to take the 28-21 lead into the fourth.
Turnovers were a big problem for Idaho, fumbling two times and losing both. Both turnovers were during some crucial drives and occurred around the 50-yard line.
Weber State was able to score on one of the turnovers, and the other drive ended in pinning Idaho down at their own 2.
Idaho, down 7 with only about 5 minutes left, needed 98 yards to tie the game up, and when an eventual fourth-and-10 at their own 15 occurred, the Vandals went for it on 4th down, believing that drive was their “last chance” of tying the game. Weber State’s defense proved to be too much, forcing a turnover on downs, and taking over only 15 yards out from the endzone.
That drive led to a Wildcat field goal, and Idaho was able to drive down the field and score to make it 31-29 with 12 seconds remaining but were unable to recover the onside kick.
Idaho looks to bounce back and keep their hopes of a possible home playoff game alive with their in-state rivalry game, The Battle of the Domes versus Idaho State, which is 3-7 on the year. The Vandals will face the Bengals in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome on Nov. 18 at 4 p.m., with both teams looking to end the regular season with a win.
Bryce Norwood can be reached at [email protected]