Vandals Bull Past Eagles Passing Game On Skids, But Running Game Takes Up Slack In Win Over North Texas

They switched stadiums. Perhaps they changed playbooks in the process. The Idaho Vandals - at least that’s what was stenciled on their uniforms - were the anti-Vandals on Saturday night, running over North Texas 28-10 in the Big Ten, er, Big West Conference opener for both teams.

A week after passing for 302 yards in a loss to Wyoming, the Vandals (3-2 overall) cranked out 272 rushing yards to earn a victory. They’ll take the latter any day.

“The way we were running the ball, it’s not too surprising,” said Greg Robertson, who relieved ineffective quarterback Ed Dean in the third quarter. “You go to the well until it runs dry.”

Believe it or not, Idaho didn’t have a pass completion in the first half. Dean tossed two completions in the third quarter for 4 yards. Robertson attempted only five passes in the second half. Idaho finished with 41 passing yards and a disappointed offensive coordinator.

“I’m really disappointed in the passing game,” assistant coach Phil Earley said. “I’m disappointed in our whole offensive production. It’s nice to win in our league opener, but we’ve got a whole lot of work ahead of us.”

An enthusiastic crowd of 16,636 at Martin Stadium didn’t seem to mind. Idaho is playing at Washington State’s facility to meet an NCAA Division I-A requirement and the 16,636 count toward reaching that goal. The Vandals are in prime position to meet the criteria, possibly as early as the next home game, Oct. 23 versus Utah State.

Idaho’s defense reached most of its goals on a chilly evening, though it lost defensive tackle Wil Beck to a knee injury in the second half. UNT, No. 114 (last) in total offense in Division I-A, gained only 236 yards, slightly better than its normal output.

The game started as an Idaho rout, but slid into a turnover festival in the second quarter. Idaho pounded out 120 rushing yards on its first two possessions, scoring on runs by Anthony Tenner and Michael Moody.

Then it went haywire for both teams.

NTU had a promising drive stopped at Idaho’s 3 when J.J. Johnston stripped the ball from Ja’Quay Wilburn and Beck recovered.

However, on the next play Moody fumbled and UNT’s Detrion Woodson recovered for an easy 3-yard touchdown return.

Tenner fumbled on Idaho’s next series and UNT recovered at UI’s 21. Three plays later, UI linebacker Chris Nofoaiga tore the ball from QB Richard Bridges and took off on an 89-yard touchdown return.

That’s nine offensive plays, four turnovers, two returned for scores. For Nofoaiga, it was his second TD return in two games at Martin Stadium. He had a 62-yard return against WSU.

Nofoaiga’s return made it 21-7 early in the second quarter, but another Vandals fumble led to an Eagles field goal.

If Nofoaiga’s play didn’t turn the game, then offensive tackle Anthony Fuertes’ did. Late in the first half, Tenner fumbled near Idaho’s goal line, but Fuertes pounced on the ball at the 2.

UI 28, North Texas 10

North Texas 7 3 0 0 - 10

Idaho 14 7 0 7 - 28

UI-Anthony Tenner 7 run (Ben Davis kick) UI-Michael Moody 30 run (Ben Davis kick) NTU-Detrion Woodson 3 yard fumble return (Jason Ball kick) UI-Chris Nofoaiga 89 fumble return (Ben Davis kick) NTU-Jason Ball 28 field goal UI-Anthony Tenner 8 run (Ben Davis kick) A-16,636.

NTU UI

First downs 11 13

Rushes-yards 42-106 50-286

Passing 130 027

Comp-Att-Int 07-24-1 04-14-1

Return Yards 98 43

Punts-Avg. 09-41 07-38

Fumbles-Lost 3-2 4-3

Penalties-Yards 5-25 4-35

Time of Possession 29:13 30:47

RUSHING-North Texas, Wilburn 21-65, Bridges 13-43, Hickmon 5-9, Banks 1-4, Marshall 1-(-2), Ellis 1 (-13), Idaho, Moody 23-157, Tenner 25-114, Robertson 1-1

PASSING-North Texas, Bridges 6-21-1 122, Attaway 1-3-0 8, Idaho, Dean 2-10-0 4, Robertson 3-5-1 37

RECEIVING-North Texas, McGrew 3-77, Marshall 2-37, Sterling 1-8, McClane 1-8, Idaho, Lacey 1-14, Stombaugh 1-12, Townsley 1-11, Franks 1-3, Martin 1-1