Falcons Double UI’s Displeasure Vandals Lose Thomas To Injury, Then Fall To Air Force 14-10

If it weren’t for the extension of an agonizing habit, Idaho could probably look at its 14-10 season-opening football loss to Air Force on Saturday with some satisfaction.

The defense was stingy, quarterback Brian Brennan had an encouraging performance after his long layoff and UI nearly overcame a probable season and career-ending injury to one of its best players, running back Joel Thomas.

But, like Wyoming (40-38), Utah State (35-28), Southwest Texas (27-21) and North Texas (24-17) last season, and Oregon State (14-7), Idaho State (26-21), Montana State (16-13) and Weber State (25-19) in 1995, Idaho simply lost another road game it played well enough to win.

“The bottom line is we’re sick and tired of coming up just short against good teams on the road,” Vandals coach Chris Tormey said.

Tormey, one game into his third Vandals season, has suffered 11 losses, nine on the road by a touchdown or less. In contrast, UI has won 12 games in the same time frame and only three have been decided by fewer than seven points.

Idaho’s downfall came in Air Force territory - two missed field goals in the first half and two failed attempts on fourth-and-1 in the second half. Air Force, meanwhile, converted on four of five fourth-down tries with two successes coming during a 6-minute drive that ran out the clock in the fourth quarter.

Brennan’s surgically repaired shoulder passed its first test. He was 23 of 34 for 254 yards in his first significant action since 1995.

“It’s a stepping stone,” he said. “We’ve got to learn from this. Yeah, we moved the ball on offense, but we’ve got to learn to get into the end zone to win.”

Idaho did so only once as Antonio Wilson extended skyward to pull in a high throw from Brennan and complete a 24-yard TD. That thirdquarter score inched UI within 14-10.

Idaho’s next two possessions were stopped on fourth downs. At Air Force’s 47, Brennan threw a pass to Jerome Thomas, who was tackled for a 2-yard loss. And on fourth-and-inches at the Falcons’ 15 early in the fourth quarter, Brennan was stuffed on a quarterback sneak.

“We didn’t get a good spot, but it shouldn’t have come down to that anyway,” Brennan said.

“We were six inches short and we went for it and came up short,” Tormey said. “They go for it and make it. That’s the difference between winning and losing on the road.”

Air Force, outgained by UI 350-340, took possession with 6:06 remaining. Quarterback Blane Morgan plowed forward for a yard on fourth-and-1 at the Air Force 45 and Spanky Gilliam gained 2 yards on fourth-and-1 at Idaho’s 45.

UI limited the Falcons’ diveoriented wishbone to a creditable 197 ground yards and 3.5 yards per attempt, but didn’t have as much success on fourth downs.

“Our defensive ends are only 230, 240, and we’re getting outweighed out there,” said middle linebacker Ryan Skinner, who had 19 stops. “It’s kind of hard to shove those guys back when they have less than a yard.”

Morgan passed for 143 yards, including a 25-yarder that spurred a third-quarter TD drive and a 22-yarder that led to a first-quarter score and a 7-3 Falcons lead.

Thomas was injured late in the first quarter. The senior bumped knees with Falcons’ punt returner Jason Sanderson while making a tackle. Thomas dislocated his knee and was carted off the field.

Thomas, who has already redshirted and was granted a medical hardship in ‘95 because of a broken foot, had to be transported to the hospital. More will be known on his condition in the next few days.

Troy Scott made a 27-yard field goal to cap Idaho’s opening series. But he missed from 29 and 46 yards in the second quarter, the latter after Bryson Gardner’s interception gave Idaho the ball at Air Force’s 33.

UI opens its home season Saturday against Portland State at 3 in the Kibbie Dome. Air Force is at Rice.

Air Force 14, Idaho 10

Idaho 3 0 7 0 - 10

Air Force 7 0 7 0 - 14

Ida-FG Scott 27, 9:22

AFA-Gilliam 1 run (Wright kick), 3:17

AFA-Gilliam 2 run (Wright kick), 9:50

Ida-Wilson 24 pass from Brennan (Scott kick), 7:21

A-41,331

Ida AFA

First Downs 17 20

Rushes-Yards 26-96 56-197

Passing 254 143

Comp-Att-Int 23-34-0 10-18-1

Return Yards 14 -1

Punts-Avg. 3-48 4-39

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 5-43 5-45

Time of Possession 27:04 32:56

RUSHING-Idaho, Je.Thomas 8-36, Jo.Thomas 6-31, Deon Price 1-14, R. Prestimonico 2-7, Ah Hi 2-4, Alderson 3-3, Brennan 3-1, McElravy 1-0. Air Force, Gilliam 23-84, Morgan 13-49, Singleton 9-39, Hill 8-22, Sessum 3-3.

PASSING-Idaho, Brennan 23-34-0-254. Air Force, Morgan 10-18-1-143.

RECEIVING-Idaho, Wilson 8-75, Price 5-59, Prestimonico 3-61, Je.Thomas 3-9, Pankratz 2-34, Stombaugh 1-11, Alderson 1-5. Air Force, Farmer 5-61, Newman 2-34, Sessum 1-31, Quaale 1-12, Singleton 1-5.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 1 Color Photo

MEMO: Changed from the Idaho edition.