Wide right at the Kibbie Dome — Idaho scores late, holds on to beat Montana State
From wire and news services
MOSCOW — Given a second chance in as many games to pull off a signature win, the Idaho Vandals delivered this time.
Gevani McCoy hit Hayden Hatten with the go-ahead touchdown and Idaho defeated Montana State 24-21 on Saturday before a sellout crowd of 13,073 at the Kibbie Dome in a game that saw three lead changes in the fourth quarter and created a three-way tie for first place in the Big Sky Conference.
“Just could not be more proud of a group of guys,” Idaho coach Jason Eck said. “We had a bad taste in our mouth, because we really felt in that last game before the bye week, we didn’t play the way we were capable to start the game, and dug ourselves into a deep hole … an amazing plan (this week), credit to our whole coaching staff. I think that’s a great team — one of the best statistical offenses I’ve ever coached against. And to put together the plan to hold them to 128 yards rushing — only one team has kept them under 300 all year. So what a plan they put together. Very gutsy effort against a great team.”
The 12-yard pass with 2:47 remaining on a back-shoulder throw, capped a wild fourth quarter in which Idaho took a 17-14 lead on a 3-yard run by Anthony Woods and Montana State (FCS No. 2, 6-2, 4-1 Big Sky) returned the favor with a 24-yard run by Julius Davis for a 21-17 lead.
McCoy responded, leading Idaho on a 10-play, 75-yard drive for their 24-21 lead and the Vandals (FCS No. 8, 6-2, 4-1) held on when MSU's Brendan Hall missed a 43-yard field goal well wide to the right with 18 seconds remaining.
Idaho and Montana State are now tied with Montana for first place in the conference. Idaho lost to Montana 23-21 on Oct. 14 before a sold-out Dome. The Vandals had a bye last week.
McCoy completed 22 of 29 passes for 229 yards with two touchdowns for Idaho. The touchdown pass was the 40th of his career.
Montana State's Tommy Mellott was 12 of 24 passing for 191 yards, also with two touchdowns.
McCoy's 6-yard pass to Terez Traynor gave the Vandals a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter and they held that lead at halftime.
Montana State rallied in the third quarter on Mellott's two touchdown passes — 16 yards to Jared White and 2 yards to Clevan Thomas. The Bobcats led 14-10 heading to the explosive fourth quarter.
It was the second matchup of FCS top 10 teams at the Kibbie Dome this season. The Vandals defeated Sacramento State 36-27 in September.
Idaho held the prolific Montana State rushing attack to 128 yards, nearly 200 yards short of the Bobcat season average (325) coming into the game. It was the only time MSU has been held under 200 yards this season.
The Vandals racked up over 24 minutes of time of possession in the first half.
On defense, Idaho held MSU without a first down until there were less than two minutes left in the second quarter. The drive, MSU's final of the half, ended with a field goal attempt that was blocked by junior defensive tackle Jahkari Larmond to preserve the 10-0 lead. Idaho is the only team to hold MSU out of the end zone for a half this season.
Idaho finished the game with over 41 minutes of time of possession and ran 73 plays to just 47 for the Bobcats. Idaho outgained the Bobcats 336-319, including a 229-191 advantage in passing yards. For the first time in Eck’s tenure as head coach, Idaho won a game when their opponent had more rushing yards, MSU holding a 128-107 advantage on the ground.
Tommy McCormick led the Vandals with eight total tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a QB hurry. Afalava recorded Idaho's lone sack. Neither team turned the ball over in the game.
The win is the third win over a top-5 opponent in Eck's first 20 games as the Idaho Vandal head coach and third, ranked win this season for the Vandals.
Idaho travels to winless Northern Colorado next week.
Montana St. 0 0 14 7 — 21
Idaho 3 7 0 14 — 24
First quarter
IDAHO — FG Chavez 53, 1:06
Second quarter
IDAHO — Traynor 6 pass from McCoy (Chavez kick), 7:58
Third quarter
MSU — White 16 pass from Mellott (Hall kick), 9:36
MSU — Thomas 2 pass from Mellott (Hall kick), 1:19
Fourth quarter
IDAHO — Woods 3 run (Chavez kick), 11:24
MSU — Davis 24 run (Hall kick), 7:58
IDAHO — Hatten 12 pass from McCoy (Chavez kick), 2:47
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — MSU, Davis 11-84, Mellott 6-20, White 2-17, Chambers 3-7, Trimble 1-0. Idaho, Woods 20-64, Romano 10-43, Jackson 1-16, McCoy 10-9, Hatten 1-(minus 23).
PASSING — MSU, Mellott 12-24-0-191. Idaho, McCoy 22-29-0-229.
RECEIVING — MSU, Pickering 4-87, Thomas 3-23, McCullouch 3-19, Trimble 1-46, White 1-16. Idaho, Jackson 5-58, Traynor 5-48, Hatten 4-63, Woods 3-28, Dwyer 2-12, Romano 2-11, Ivy 1-9.