It seemed as though the broken record would repeat itself when the Vandals found themselves in a 17-point hole to the San Jose State Spartans.
However, Idaho escaped Spartan Stadium Saturday with its first FBS and WAC victory of the season, 32-29.
“Truth be told, things have been going so easy for us all year long anyways … our record was so smooth, we thought, ‘Hell, why do this the easy way today? Let’s go ahead, let’s roll out here and just spot these guys 20 points,'” Idaho coach Robb Akey said. “But no, I’d love to be able to tell you that … but (you have to) take care of the football.”
Idaho’s two fumbles and one interception only added to the early deficit. Overall, the Vandals racked up three turnovers while the Spartans only lost the ball on one interception.
The Vandals made the contest competitive going into the locker room down seven points after Trey Farqhuar nailed a 55-yard field goal to close out the half.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but Idaho busted out 22 points in the fourth and held the Spartans to just one touchdown near the end of the contest.
Running back Kama Bailey seemed to be on another level Saturday, tallying 164 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
“That was an awesome performance by Kama,” Akey said. “He put it on his back and ran like the wind and did a fantastic job.”
Akey said he believes the running game was a deciding factor.
“You look at the way we were able to run the ball late in the game, I think we broke them,” Akey said. “Credit to the offensive line, credit to those running backs.”
The offensive line was efficient enough to hold up the run game, but quarterback Taylor Davis, who took every snap for the Vandals, was sacked five times. Davis did just enough to keep the Vandals in the game, completing 13 of his 20 attempts for 162 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
Akey said Davis will be the starter for the rest of the season and did not consider replacing Davis with former starter Brian Reader.
“Taylor did come into this game and was able to make it happen. … I expect him to grow from here forward,” Akey said. “I think since we won, we’re going to keep him. We’re like butter now, we’re on a roll.”
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Tre’Shawn Robinson would not be outmatched by Bailey with a solid performance of his own, leading the team with 15 tackles.
“He’s a fantastic kid, he played a fantastic game,” Akey said. “I could not tell you enough positive things about Tre’Shawn. I want to see him be able to win, three more times.”
Idaho improves to 2-7 on the year and will prepare for a tough match-up at 6:15 p.m. Saturday in Provo against the BYU Cougars. Akey said he sees similarities between BYU and Hawaii. He said the Cougars are physical in all three phases of the game and their quarterback, Riley Nelson has the ability to hurt defenses with his arm and running ability.
Nelson didn’t start until the fifth game of the season but has already amassed 1,048 yards and 12 touchdowns. Akey said the momentum needs to be carried from Saturday, through the week into Provo.
“That was a big ol’ gorilla that we got off our back. It sprinted out of that stadium when we got it off our back, thank God,” Akey said. “I’d like to think that the spark that has ignited will give us some momentum to keep moving forward in that fashion.”
Provo sits at more than 4,500 feet above sea level and with temperatures expected as low as 32 degrees with a rain and snow mix, Akey said the team will prepare for the worst as they practice outside this week.
“All we gotta do is play in cold weather in front of a bunch of people that don’t want to see us win,” Akey said. “We’re gonna go outside and practice in the cold. Get ready for it.”