A change for the better

MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho football players knew something was different on Monday.

They came into team meetings to find head coach Nick Holt in a jovial mood. They figured he was just trying to boost their spirits after last Saturday’s dismal loss to Hawaii. Then came practice Monday afternoon, and they learned they were going to be in full pads.

“This week of practice was crazy. It wasn’t an ordinary week,” said receiver Wendell Octave, who later added, “You come out in full pads, so you know it’s business.”

The payoff came Saturday when the Vandals overcame penalties, turnovers and an ever-growing list of missing starters to subdue Utah State 27-13 at the Kibbie Dome.

They did it with a patchwork offensive line missing three regulars. Top wideout Daniel Smith didn’t suit up because of a concussion suffered a week ago, cornerback Reggie Jones sat out after running afoul of team rules, and starting punter T.J. Conley broke his leg in practice earlier in the week.

Still, it was Idaho making a string of clutch plays, the biggest of which was senior linebacker Mike Anderson’s 71-yard interception return for a touchdown with 45 seconds left to preserve the Vandals’ first victory of the season and their first in a Western Athletic Conference game.

Idaho (1-4) snapped a six-game skid that stretched back to November. Utah State dropped to 1-2, 1-1 in the WAC.

“With all the hard work, you need some payoff so they keep believing,” Holt said. “They believe. Regardless of whether you’re 27-0 or 0-27 here, you just have to keep battling and battling, and good things happen to you.”

Idaho’s defense pitched a shutout in the first half, and quarterback Steven Wichman threw a perfect game. The Vandals led 14-0 at half, overcoming four penalties on their first scoring drive, and Wichman was 12 of 12 for 159 yards.

“All the things that won for us (against UNLV) a week ago, we gave it back today,” Utah State coach Brent Guy said. “They were undermanned. They had guys hurt, and guys stepped up and made plays.”

Everything looked rosy until Utah State showed up in the second half. The Aggies marched 77 yards on their first possession to pull within 14-7.

The Vandals missed a chance to extend their lead as a bungled exchange between Wichman and center Adam Korby resulted in a fumble and an Aggie recovery at the Utah State 10. It was one of three Vandals turnovers in USU territory.

Idaho got the ball back at the Aggies’ 36, but Wichman, who threw his first incompletion four plays earlier, was intercepted by Marquis Charles on the next play. Utah State’s Chris Forbes eluded a couple of defenders near the line of scrimmage and raced 51 yards for a touchdown, picking up a questionable block at Idaho’s 25 that had UI coaches livid on the sideline.

It was USU coaches and players who were complaining after the PAT was ruled no good. Several officials debated for close to a minute before making their call. Utah State’s PAT unit left the field in disbelief.

Leading 14-13, Idaho went on two time-consuming, point-producing drives. Kicker Michael Barrow capped both possessions, which chewed up nearly 10 minutes, with field goals to hike Idaho’s lead to 20-13.

Then it was hang-on time for Idaho’s defense and about 13,000 at the Kibbie Dome. (Paid attendance was announced at 15,006.)

Utah State quickly moved from its 20 to the Vandals” 34, but Leon Jackson’s pass into the left flat hit Anderson in the hands. Jackson was Anderson’s only obstacle on the return, but he sped past the quarterback at the 10.

“We just needed that last big play to end the game, which Mike got,” said safety Dan Dykes, who had a first-half interception.

Idaho outgained Utah State 339-293 and held a near six-minute edge in time of possession.

“We still made a lot of mistakes that are correctable, too many penalties, turned it over too many times, but we played really hard, and that’s what we expect here,” Holt said. “The kids did a really nice job of rebounding from the last four weeks.”