The Idaho football team ended last season with a five game win streak, and that momentum carried over into the new season.
“The first game jitters were there,” senior running back Aaron Duckworth said. “But it was good to get that first win under our belts.”
Both teams had slow starts offensively. Idaho recorded one first down in four drives in the first quarter. The Vandal defense made up for the gradual offensive start by forcing three consecutive three-and-out drives from Sacramento State to start the game.
Sacramento State took the lead at the beginning of the second quarter with a 52-yard field goal. That field goal would provide the Hornets’ only lead of the game.
The Idaho offense hit its stride later in the quarter with some help from Duckworth.
On a second and 10 play from the Idaho 37-yard line, senior quarterback Matt Linehan bounced out of the pocket to avoid pressure and checked down to Duckworth. The tailback then scampered down the sideline, avoiding tackles for a 47-yard gain.
“(Duckworth) is a home run hitter,” Linehan said. “That play was hugely important for us getting the rust off and starting to find a rhythm on offense.”
The Vandals scored two plays later halfway through the second quarter. Linehan again escaped pressure from the Hornets and found senior receiver Jacob Sannon open in the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.
Idaho’s defense continued to stifle the Hornets offense, and the Vandals wasted no time putting more points on the board.
After another long run from Duckworth on a misdirection run, Sacramento State brought extra rushers to try and quell Idaho’s momentum. The additional pressure did not get to Linehan as he dropped back, and dropped a 30-yard pass in the hands of senior receiver Reuben Mwehla for a touchdown. Mwehla had blazed past the corner down the sideline and provided just enough separation for Linehan to set the score 14-3 Vandals.
After another fruitless drive, the Hornets punted the ball back to Idaho with only 25 seconds left in the second quarter. Despite tough field position and halftime only one kneel away, Idaho lined up to run another pass play. Linehan was sacked for the fourth time in the first half and fumbled the ball away to Sacramento State.
The Vandal defense held strong again despite a tough position, and gave up zero yards en route to just another field goal from Medeiros to make the score 14-6 at half.
The Vandal offense quickly put the turnover behind them, with a 30-yard run from Duckworth putting the Vandals in position to score. On fourth and goal, junior defensive lineman D.J. Henderson lined up as a fullback and powered through for the score.
By the end of the third quarter, the Vandals led 21-6 and the Hornets had no success on offense, due in large parts to the stout Vandal defense and the impressive debut of redshirt freshman special teams Cade Coffey. Coffey nailed all of his extra points and punted within the Hornet 15 on three separate occasions.
That punt in particular gave the Vandals excellent field position after the defense forced yet another three and out. On the ensuing drive, Duckworth recorded 33 yards rushing on five carries, including an 18-yard touchdown run that capped the score at 28-6 Vandals.
Duckworth finished with 142 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.
After giving up four sacks in the first half alone, the offensive line settled down in the second half providing holes for the Vandal run game and time in the pocket for Linehan.
“We knew that the offensive line would need some help, with only two starters coming back,” Idaho head coach Paul Petrino said. “The run blocking was more than sufficient, but we need to improve on pass protection.”
The defense was tough on Sacramento State all game, allowing only 2.7 yards per carry on the ground and 95-yards total through the air. “We really just flew around today and had fun,” junior linebacker Kaden Ellis said. “We had that passion all day and it show in us dominating most of the game.”
The Vandals take on UNLV 4:00 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Kibbie Dome.
Jonah Baker can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @jonahpbaker