Same story — Vandals competitive early on but fall flat in second half, lose first game under Gesser

Amrah Canul | Argonaut Wide receiver Justin Veltung makes a catch near the 20-yard line in the third quarter Saturday. This was one of Veltung’s two receptions during the game and he went for a game-high 39 yards. Idaho trailed 14-13 in the third quarter before San Jose State scored 28 unanswered points to run away with its third consecutive WAC victory.

For the better part of three quarters, Idaho football looked like it had every opportunity to get the Jason Gesser era going with a win — but Idaho’s inability to take advantage of San Jose State’s mistakes led to a 42-13 defeat Saturday at the Kibbie Dome.

Amrah Canul | Argonaut
Wide receiver Justin Veltung makes a catch near the 20-yard line in the third quarter Saturday. This was one of Veltung’s two receptions during the game and he went for a game-high 39 yards. Idaho trailed 14-13 in the third quarter before San Jose State scored 28 unanswered points to run away with its third consecutive WAC victory.

Four forced turnovers from Idaho’s defense and special teams kept the Vandals within striking distance — only trailing 14-13 midway through the third quarter. Idaho was only able to capitalize for three points on San Jose State’s last three turnovers, giving way to San Jose State quarterback David Fales leading two touchdown drives in the third quarter to give the Spartans control of the game.

“The guys fought hard,” Gesser said. “I told them in there I’m very, very proud of how they’ve handled this whole situation and how they fought together out there, throughout the game, throughout the week.”

The turning point came late in the third quarter. Down 21-13, Idaho linebacker Elan Richard batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage, which would have forced the Spartans into a third down. SJSU’s David Quessenberry drove Richard to the turf after the play, but Idaho’s Benson Mayowa was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after he retaliated. Two plays later, San Jose State quarterback David Fales struck Chandler Jones from 35 yards out to give the Spartans a 28-13 lead. Fales finished the day with 27 of 39 passing with 328 yards and four touchdowns, most of which came in the second half where Idaho showed little life.

“Obviously it didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, at the end with the scoreboard. I thought our defense came out and played very well tonight, they kept us in the game a while,” Gesser said. “Offensively, we need to convert on third down. I thought we did a good job of getting into manageable third down situations.”

An hour before kick-off, Gesser stood on the sideline at the 50-yard line. His head panned around the field, taking in the environment that would be his first game as a collegiate head coach. It’s something Gesser said he’s been doing his entire career.

“Every time I get out to the field, when I was playing and coaching, I get out there and there’s a moment where I take it all in. Here’s my place. Here’s what I was meant to do,” he said. “Just kind of take it for what it’s worth. As you all know we could be gone tomorrow, enjoying the moments that I have.”

Emotions ran high for players in Idaho’s first game since the firing of Robb Akey and dismissal of starting quarterback Dominique Blackman, as it was mostly seniors making plays for the Vandals.

“It was real emotionally with coach Akey’s loss. I love that man and a lot of us players do. It was kind of bittersweet, it gave us motivation to come out here and execute,” senior linebacker Rob Siavii said.

Safety Gary Walker and linebacker Rob Siavii stood out on defense, with quarterback Logan Bushnell and wide receiver Mike Scott making plays on offense.

“They understand things and they realize it right now,” Gesser said of his seniors. “You’ve got ‘X’ amount of opportunities left to play football, period. Some of those guys may get a chance, some of those guys may not.”

Bushnell was 14 of 29 for 196 yards on the day, and was Gesser’s choice to ride the offense out in the second half. A decision hasn’t yet been made on who the starting quarterback will be at BYU next week.

Sean Kramer can be reached at [email protected]

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