Vandals open Big West season with a win

      
UI Athletic Department

      
The
      University of Idaho wanted to send a message to the rest of the
      Big West Conference as the league begins its final season. The
      message was sent loud and clear as the Vandals built a 35-6 halftime
      lead and more or less cruised to a 42-25 win. With the win, Idaho
      improves to 3-4 overall and 1-0 in the Big West, while Arkansas
      State fell to 0-7 and 0-1.

      


      "For the first time, we played well in all three phases
      of the game," Idaho head coach Tom Cable said after the
      win. "Other than the win, that was what I was most excited
      about. We looked like a good football team tonight."

      


      Looking like a good team may sell the Vandals short. After a
      three and out on their first possession of the game and then
      allowing an Arkansas State field goal, the Vandals took complete
      control. 

      


      Idaho marched 67 yards on 11 plays in 4:21 to take a lead they
      wouldn't give up. 

      


      While the Indians closed to within 7-6 on their next possession
      with another Nick Gatto field goal, the Vandals were unstopped
      the rest of the half with four more possessions and four more
      touchdowns. 

      


      They scored on drives of 65, 75, 69 and 66 yards, looking razor
      sharp in doing so. Quarterback John Welsh completed 14 of 17
      first half throws for 244 yards and score, while running back
      Willie Alderson ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns at the
      break.

      


      ASU was driving to end the first half, but Jordan Kramer stepped
      in and intercepted a Cleo Lemon pass to end the threat. At the
      intermission, UI had rolled up 370 yards of total offense to
      only 128 yards for Arkansas State. Alderson scored on runs of
      one, 17 and two yards, sandwiched around a Welsh to Jeff Townsley
      eight-yard scoring pass.

      


      The third quarter saw the Indians claw back to within 17 points
      at 35-18, but missed extra points on both touchdowns kept them
      three scores from the lead. Idaho put the final nail in the coffin
      with 6:41 left as Willie Alderson scored his fourth rushing touchdown
      of the evening from five yards out.

      


      Alderson finished with 138 yards on the ground and one score
      short of an Idaho record with his four rushing touchdowns. Welsh
      finished with eye-popping numbers as well, completing 24 of 29
      passes for 339 yards, his third straight 300-yard game. 

      


      Chris Lacy and Josh Jelmberg each finished with six catches and
      Lacy led the team with 137 yards. Welsh distributed the ball
      well, completing passes to eight different receivers on the night.

      


      The Vandals continue in the Big West next weekend, taking on
      Utah State in Logan. The Vandals don't play another home game
      until Nov. 11 when they take on New Mexico State in the Kibbie
      Dome.
 

      
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