The Idaho Vandals traveled to Eugene on Saturday to face the No. 3 Oregon Ducks, who are FBS National Champion frontrunners and lost in a close battle 24-14.
In a game where Idaho was given a .4% chance to win, and Oregon was favored to win by over 40 points, the Idaho Vandals, despite the loss, defied many odds and brought the game down to the wire, being as close as 3 points with less than 10 minutes to go in the game.
Idaho’s defense shined against one of the nation’s most hyped-up offenses, and despite allowing 487 total yards, Idaho only gave up 24 points with some crucial plays, forcing a turnover in the game as well.
Senior Keyshawn James-Newby and sophomore Jaxton Eck have stellar games for the Vandals. James-Newby posted 6 tackles on the day, with 2 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in the second quarter on Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, which sophomore Dallas Afalava recovered. Jaxton Eck posted himself 14 total tackles, leading the Vandals squad.
The Vandals offense was shut out in the first half, only reaching within the Oregon 30 one time, where the drive ended in Layne’s pass being intercepted by Oregon’s Brandon Johnson.
Idaho walked into the locker going into halftime with a 14-0 deficit, which to many came as a surprise. Idaho’s defense came right back out of the locker room with the same fire as they had in the first half, forcing Oregon to go 3-and-out on their first drive of the 3rd quarter.
It wasn’t until midway in the 3rd when momentum started to swing in favor of Idaho, when the defense forced back-to-back turnover on downs inside of Oregon territory.
With 4:22 to go in the third quarter, Idaho took over at the Oregon 36-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Jack Layne handed the ball off to redshirt junior Elisha Cummings, who pitched it to redshirt freshman Mark Hamper. Hamper then pitched it back to Jack Layne, who found redshirt junior Jake Cox wide open for 36 yards to cap off some absolute trickery on the flea flicker touchdown, cutting the lead down to 7.
Oregon was able to drive down the field, and once they reached the redzone a costly holding penalty set the Ducks back, making them settle for a field goal to lead 17-7 with 12:43 to go in the game.
That is when the Idaho offense had their best drive of the game, going 75 yards in 7 plays, and after another trick play, Jack Layne kept it on the fake reverse for a 4 yard touchdown, to make the score 17-14.
Oregon’s morale and momentum was nearing an all time low in this game, as the crowd was silent in shock over the Vandals being able to bring it within 3. That is until the Ducks, thanks to numerous great plays by Jordan James, drove down the field and reached the redzone.
And on a crucial 4th and 7 on the Idaho 17-yard line, Oregon drew an offsides on Idaho’s defensive line, which then resulted in the game-sealing TD by Tez Johnson on 4th and 2, his second of the day.
Idaho had very little life left, being down 10 with 2 minutes to go, and when redshirt freshman Jack Wagner came in for an injured Layne, his last effort pass was intercepted to end the game, 24-14.
Jack Layne, who earned his first career start for UI against Idaho State last season, broke a collarbone during the game on Saturday. Coach Eck said that Layne had surgery on the shoulder and expected to return this season. Jack Wagner, a redshirt freshman, has been named the starter until Layne’s return this later in the year.
The Idaho Vandals will travel to Laramie, Wyoming, to face their 2nd FBS opponent of the season, facing off the Wyoming Cowboys, who sit at 0-1, after losing to the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday. Both teams will be looking for win number one on the year on September 7, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. on truTV.
Tom Eilertson
As a four year player, graduating in 1978, very proud of this team. Will be there for homecoming...hoping they only have this single loss on their record at that time.