For the first time since conference play started, the Vandals come into a game off a loss.
Since their first half lead against Indiana dwindled away in the third quarter, the Vandals started their games slow before turning it around at halftime.
“Especially at home we’ve started slow,” said head coach Jason Eck.
Although the Eagles come in tied for the second worst record in the conference, the Vandals can’t count them out. Every FCS loss they have, other than against Sacramento State, has been by three or 14 points. They’re also coming off a close loss against Portland State in which they scored 14 unanswered in the fourth.
“I know they’ll come in hungry to play us,” Eck said. “It’s a good rivalry with the two teams being so close together.”
Although Eastern may not be near the top of the rankings, their 71-21 win over Idaho last season is likely still in the minds of the Vandals.
“Last year they threw for 600 yards against us,” Eck said.
After getting beat by the run game against Sac State, the Vandals will now have to flip their focus to defending the aerial attack.
The two players Eck specifically mentioned were redshirt senior quarterback Gunner Talkington and redshirt junior wide receiver Freddie Roberson. Talkington has thrown for 2,076 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 63% (190/300) of his passes this season. Roberson has been the receiver of 37 of those passes, totaling 632 yards and six touchdowns.
On defense, redshirt junior defensive back Ely Doyle leads in tackles with 65, landing him 10th in the conference. Redshirt senior defensive lineman Mitchell Johnson leads in sacks with four, tying him for seventh in the Big Sky. Johnson also leads the team in forced fumbles with two while redshirt junior DB Demetrius Crosby Jr. leads in fumbles recovered, also with two.
For Idaho’s offense it will continue to be redshirt freshman QB Gevani McCoy, redshirt sophomore WR Hayden Hatten, junior WR Jermaine Jackson and the rotational running back core putting in the work.
McCoy has passed for 1,814 yards and 19 touchdowns, completing 68.6% (140/204) of his passes. He stands fifth in yards, third in touchdowns and second in completion percentage in the conference. His three interceptions are also the least in the Big Sky.
Hatten has over 100 receiving yards in three out of the last four games. These three exceptional games have led him to 570 total yards and eight touchdowns, landing him at sixth and tying him at first in the conference respectively.
Jackson has played at an elite level all season, only having less than 90 receiving yards in two games this season. He’s third in the conference in receiving yards with 734 and third in punt return yards with 157.
Freshman RB Anthony Woods leads the team in rushing yards 585, landing him at fifth in the conference. Senior RB Roshaun Johnson leads in rushing touchdowns with six, which is the sixth most in the conference. Junior RB Aundre Carter has become a weapon more recently, but his 83-yard run against Portland State is the best in the conference. Sophomore Elisha Cummings may not lead the team or conference in any statistic, but his impact can’t go unmentioned. He has 226 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 110 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
On defense, senior LB Fa’avae Fa’avae’s 71 tackles lead the team, and are the third most in the Big Sky. Redshirt senior DL Leo Tamba leads the team in sacks and is tied for seventh in the conference with four. Leading the team, and tying at fourth in the conference, in interceptions are sophomore DB “Turnover” Tommy McCormick and redshirt junior linebacker Paul Moala with four.
After their first conference loss, the Vandals look to start a new winning streak tomorrow at noon in the Kibbie Dome.
James Taurman-Aldrich can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @jamesaldrich25