The Idaho Vandals lost their FCS playoffs quarterfinals matchup against the UAlbany Great Danes 30-22 on Saturday.
The Vandals’ season comes to a close after losing a high-powered game that saw 885 total yards of offense, with 658 of those yards being through the air.
Idaho faced the nation’s top rushing attack, in which UAlbany was only allowing 75.9 yards on the ground per game, so the Vandals came out firing on all cylinders with the passing attack.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Gevani McCoy had a good game, completing 24 of his 43 passes for 317 yards and a touchdown.
Throughout the game, McCoy was consistently looking to find his favorite target, redshirt junior wide receiver Hayden Hatten, who he targeted 21 times, which was over 50% of McCoy’s total passes.
In Hatten’s final game in a Vandals’ uniform, he posted 12 catches for 135 yards, being as consistent as he has always been for the Idaho offense.
“It’s something that’s inevitable as a college athlete,” Hatten said about his final game during the post-game press conference. “It hits you hard, but it’s something that I am proud of. I am proud to have played 5 years of eligibility at the University of Idaho and to have truly found a second home.”
Redshirt senior Jermaine Jackson also played in his final game for the Vandals, making an impact not only on offense, but also on special teams, taking the opening kickoff 55 yards, and having a 73-yard punt return as well.
“His punt return gave up a lot of juice. He was a difference maker there,” Head Coach Jason Eck said. “He’s been a game changer and difference maker there all season.”
Idaho played well the in the first half, leading 16-14 after 30 minutes of play thanks to a Jordan Dwyer 36-yard TD catch, an Anthony Woods TD run, and a Ricardo Chavez field goal. As for UAlbany, they were able to keep it close with Idaho thanks to a pair of first half touchdowns from Reese Poffenbarger connecting with Brevin Easton.
“Tough game. Idaho is a really good football team,” UAlbany Head Coach Greg Gattuso said. “I give my applause to the Idaho fans, they were extremely loud and we struggled communicating in the first half.”
The second half was a much different story, where the defenses were the stars of the show, with all but one drive stalling out with no points as a result. The only third quarter points were from a Chavez 24-yarder, in which Idaho carried a 19-14 lead into the fourth.
Once UAlbany was able to get it to 19-17, Poffenbarger was able to connect with Easton for the hat trick and the lead, where they went up 23-19 with four and half minutes remaining.
Poffenbarger and Easton were the difference makers for UAlbany in this one, with Poffenbarger going 24 for 41 with 341 yards and three touchdowns, in which Easton had nine catches for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
After Woodell broke away with little time left to make it a two-score game, Idaho’s chances to win dropped to nearly zero. As a Chavez field goal brought them within one score, an onside attempt was needed, but recovered by the Great Danes to seal the deal.
Idaho will remember this game, as their first game in the Kibbie Dome in 2024 is against UAlbany, which will be a big rematch. Idaho’s season opener next season is a huge one, as they will travel to Eugene to face the Oregon Ducks in August.
Bryce Norwood can be reached at [email protected]