Power shortage: After scoring game's first 17 points, Vandals fall short in bid to knock off Power 5 team
From wire and news services, and local reports
BERKELEY, Calif. — For the first 20 minutes or so, the Idaho Vandals were headed toward their second win over an FBS school this season — something that’s happened just twice in a season since 2000.
Idaho jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter, but California scored 31 unanswered points to rally for a 14–point win Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif.
The Vandals (2-1) scored on their first three drives, with quarterback Gevani McCoy scrambling up the middle and diving into the end zone on fourth and goal from the 2 with 9:08 left in the half.
But it was all Cal (2-1) after that.
Cal responded with 14 unanswered points before halftime on passing touchdowns on consecutive drives by quarterback Sam Jackson V, a transfer from TCU. The quarterback threaded the needle to Jeremiah Hunter for a 20-yard touchdown pass, then after the Bears stopped Idaho on downs, found a wide-open Trond Grizzell for a 36-yard score for his first career touchdown catch.
“They made some adjustments, dropped some more guys into coverage, played a little less man as the game went on,” Idaho coach Jason Eck said. “That made us hold the ball a little bit more, and put more pressure on ‘Vani. We were never able to get the run game going, and in the second half they wore us down with their running game.”
The Vandals opened the scoring on the first drive with a 25-yard field goal from Ricardo Chavez. Idaho has scored on the opening drive in every game this season.
After forcing a Cal three-and-out on the Bears' first drive of the game, Anthony Woods scored on a 19-yard scamper after a broken trick play. The touchdown gave the Vandals a 10-0 lead with 4:21 to play in the first quarter.
Jackson scampered for a 27-yard touchdown to give California its first lead at 21-17 early in the second half.
Cal dominated the second half behind a strong run game and a defense that pitched a shutout after halftime. Cal finished with 256 rushing yards to Idaho’s 108.
The Bears opened up their first double-digit lead late in the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Ifanse, the Montanan State transfer, filling in for injured starter Jadyn Ott. Ifanse finished with 137 yards on 22 carries, and the score gave Cal a 28-17 lead heading into the fourth. A Vandals’ fumble and recovery by Cal on the next Idaho possession gave the Bears some breathing room.
McCoy was 28 of 46 for 279 yards and rushed for a touchdown and 33 yards. Woods carried the ball 11 times for 56 yards. Hayden Hatten caught eight passes for 80 yards, Jermaine Jackson caught six passes for 63 yards, and Terez Traynor caught six for 71.
Idaho lost the turnover battle 3-0, including two lost fumbles after receptions.
“We’ve got to keep our foot on the gas,” Jackson said. “They did a good job coming out of the half responding to us doing what we were doing. I just feel like we have to finish. It was mostly us — the Vandals beating the Vandals.”
Tre Thomas led the Vandal defense with 10 total tackles, four solo, and one tackle for loss.
Idaho outgained California 387 yards to 370.
Idaho entered the game winless against Cal in four tries and the game was the first meeting between the schools since 1934.
Idaho won 33-6 at Nevada last week.
Eck called the Bears’ defensive line the best the Vandals would face all season.
“There will be some positives we can build on, but we’ve got to play better,” Eck said. “Cal’s a lot better than Nevada, and we’re going to play other teams that are a lot better than Nevada in conference.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Idaho: The Vandals had their way with a Mountain West opponent last week in Nevada and controlled much of the first half against Cal. But the playmakers featured on a Pac-12 team — even one not expected to compete in a conference crown — were ultimately too much for Idaho.
California: The Bears seemed to fix their stagnant offense before halftime and continued to roll coming out of the locker room. They will, however, need to get off to a better start next week on the road against No. 8 Washington. The defense continued to be a positive point, forcing three more turnovers to give them 10 on the season. Cal entered the day leading the Pac-12 in turnovers forced.
OTT’S STATUS UNCERTAIN
Cal coach Justin Wilcox would not commit to Ott’s status for next week against Washington, though he said earlier this week that he anticipated his star rusher being available on Saturday. Ott, who left last Saturday’s game against Auburn with an injury after trying to hurdle a tackler, was Cal’s most prolific offensive player last season.
UP NEXT
Idaho: Hosts Sacramento State on Saturday in the Big Sky Conference opener.
California: Plays at Washington on Saturday.