Runaway: Vandals open season by handling Division II Simon Fraser in first shutout since 2010

From news services and local reports

MOSCOW — Three quarterbacks played, four running backs scored and the Idaho Vandals notched the first shutout of the Paul Petrino era, routing NCAA Division II Simon Fraser of Burnaby, British Columbia 68-0 on Saturday in the season opener before 5,214 at the Kibbie Dome.

Idaho outgained Simon Fraser 365-41 in total yards in the first half, and 593-90 for the game.

“Our goal going into it was, we all wanted to grade out high,” said Petrino, in his ninth season as Vandals coach. “Our second goal was to be disciplined. We can’t fumble the ball on the 1-yard line, and we had one other fumble. Those two fumbles can’t happen.

“We didn’t punt all day. I thought our defensive front seven was dominant, and they should have been. They need to be that way when we get to conference.”

The shutout is the first by the Vandals since 2010, while the 68 points were the most since the 1994 season. The 68-point margin of victory is the second largest ever by the Vandals, trailing only Idaho’s 83-0 win over the College of Idaho, in 1923.

Sophomore Zach Borisch, the running back-turned quarterback, started the game with a series of option plays. Freshman CJ Jordan came in and finished off the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run. Mike Beaudry, the grad transfer from UConn, came on in the second quarter.

Jordan was 7 of 12 for 161 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 61 yards and a score. Beaudry was 10 of 15 for 116 yards, and ran for 47 yards. Borisch added 34 yards on the ground.

“CJ did some really good things,” Petrino said. “He moved around, he stepped up in the pocket, that long pass to Michael Noil (a 48-yarder on a crossing route from left to right that set up Idaho’s second TD), was a great pass. That was good coverage and that was a bullet.

“The first touchdown he ran for, that was big. We run a lot of crossing routes, and if they're going to cut the crosser, there’s nobody’s left inside, and he can take off and run.

“I think we’re always going to have a little package for Zach that teams are going to have to prepare for. And Mike improved on some things too.”

It was Simon Fraser’s first game since 2019. The team did not play last year because of COVID-19.

Idaho rushed for 316 yards. Roshaun Johnson rushed just 10 times, but finished with 87 yards and three scores. Jordan added a touchdown on the ground, as did freshman Elisha Cummings. Aundre Carter, in his first game since 2019, also found the end zone, as did Khalil Forehand. It was the first career rushing touchdown for Forehand, a sophomore from Bishop Kelly High in Boise.

“Big ups to the big boys up front,” Johnson said of Idaho’s offensive linemen. “I’m going to have to get ‘em some doughnuts or something tomorrow. It’s good to see our running back room producing.”

Noah Elliss led the defense with eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss. As a group, the Vandals allowed just 13 total yards on the ground and 77 through the air.

Idaho had five sacks, including one by fullback turned part-time defensive end Logan Kendall.

“We were in the backfield, caused a lot of havoc,” Idaho senior defensive lineman Rahsaan Crawford said. “There was a lot of chaos going on in the backfield.”

Sophomore Sean McCormick, who was moved from receiver to defensive back in fall camp, had a sack and an interception.

Backup safety Colbey Nosworthy, a freshman from Coeur d’Alene High, had three solo tackles and one assist.

Idaho travels to Indiana this Saturday. Indiana, ranked No. 17 this week, lost at No. 18 Iowa 34-6 on Saturday.