Idaho Runs Into Problems In 40-21 Loss To Aztecs

How bad was the Idaho Vandals’ ground game against San Diego State?

Here’s a clue. Even if Idaho wanted to run and hide during Saturday night’s football game at Jack Murphy Stadium, it would have been unsuccessful.

After Idaho’s 40-21 loss to the Aztecs, two things are clear.

One, the Vandals are in desperate need of a rushing game.

Idaho (0-2), gained only 31 yards rushing on 24 attempts.

Even when obvious running situations occurred, Idaho coach Chris Tormey declined.

The second problem plaguing the Vandals is turnovers.

Idaho committed four turnovers for the second game this season.

“In order for us to win we have got to improve the turnovers and get a running game established,” Tormey said.

Because it could not establish a ground game, Idaho was forced to rely on quarterback Ryan Fien.

As far as statistics go, Fien had another solid effort after last week’s record-breaking performance against Wyoming.

Fien completed 33 of 51 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns.

However, the alarming stat from the senior transfer from UCLA, is the four interceptions he threw.

After two games Fien has thrown for 923 yards and six touchdowns, but he also has five interceptions.

Much of Fien’s yardage came on short dump-off passes and was easily contained by the Aztec defense.

“San Diego State’s defense was able to just tee it up and put some bruises on me,” Fien said.

The Aztecs, who were playing without three starters who were suspended one game for NCAA infractions, scored first on a 41-yard field goal by Peter Holt.

Later, Az Hakim split the Vandals secondary and hauled in a 67-yard touchdown pass from Billy Blanton.

After Holt’s PAT, it was 10-0.

Idaho countered with a 34-yard field goal by Troy Scott and trailed 10-3 at the half.

The Vandals committed turnovers on its first two possessions of the second half.

Fien overthrew a receiver at the Idaho 20 and was intercepted by Eric Lewis. It was Lewis’ second pick of the night.

On Idaho’s ensuing possession Fien threw another interception.

San Diego State converted the turnovers into 10 points and a 20-3 lead.

“Until we can get the running game going we are putting a lot of extra pressure on Ryan,” Tormey said.

“We we’re in the game.”

Idaho scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half.

Fien hit Antonio Wilson with a 43-yard pass in the third quarter to make the score 27-13.

In the fourth quarter, Idaho added another touchdown when Fien found Robert Scott on a 25-yard reception. That made the score 37-19 and then Idaho added a two-point conversion when Fien hit Joel Thomas with a pass.

Through two games, Idaho has gained 109 yards rushing in 53 attempts.

The Vandals are 1-8 in the last nine games in which they didn’t gain at least 100 yards rushing.

Idaho has committed eight turnovers this season and only forced one.

The Vandals defense was also hurt by the loss of defensive end Ryan Phillips who left the game after one series in the second half with a left hamstring injury.

It was just last week that Phillips set the Vandals’ career record for tackles.

David Griffin set a career high with 10 receptions for 112 yards.

San Diego State 40, Idaho 21

Idaho 0 3 10 8 21

San Diego St. 10 0 17 13 - 40

SDSHolt FG 41 SDSHakim 67 pass from Blanton (Holt kick) UI-Holt FG 34 SDSWatson 10 run (Holt kick) SDSHolt FG 34 UI-T.Scott FG 24 SDSWatson 1 run (Holt kick) UI-Wilson 43 pass from Fien (T.Scott kick) SDSChilds 5 pass from Blanton (Holt kick) SDSHolt FG 41 UI-R.Scott 25 pass from Fien (Jo.Thomas pass from Fien) SDSHolt FG 28 A-29,449.

UI SDS First downs 21 20 Rushes-yards 24-31 38-151 Passing 381 325 Comp-Att-Int 33-51-4 22-34-0 Return Yards 8 47 Punts-Avg. 6-37.8 6-43.0 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0 Penalties-Yards 11-82 8-75 Time of Possession 31:37 28:23 Individual statistics RUSHINGIdaho, Jo.Thomas 11-30, Je.Thomas 4-10, Erick 1-9, Pace 2-2, Griffin 1-(minus 3), Fien 5-(minus 17). San Diego St., Watson 16-113, J.Lewis 4-28, Graham 7-22, Overton 4-11, McKechnie 1-(minus 8), Blanton 6-(minus 15).

PASSINGIdaho, Fien 33-51-381-4. San Diego St., Blanton 19-30-306-0, McKechnie 3-4-19-0.

RECEIVINGIdaho, Griffin 10-112, R.Scott 7-65, Jo.Thomas 5-40, Wilson 4-75, Je.Thomas 3-15, Gamelin 1-52, Pankratz 1-10, Elroy 1-6, Price 1-6. San Diego St., Childs 7-95, Hakim 6-174, Ayanbadejo 4-16, T.Johnson 2-9, Watson 1-4, Jacquet 1-10, Hatch 1-7.