Kickoff return hurt
MOSCOW, Idaho – There was definitely one play midway through the fourth quarter that allowed 18th-ranked Boise State to pull out a 42-26 win over Idaho in a burst-at-the-seams Kibbie Dome Saturday afternoon.
That would be Rashaun Scott’s long kickoff return following a touchdown that pulled the Vandals within 28-26 with 7 minutes, 5 seconds to play.
But how deafening would the estimated 17,000 fans become had that touchdown put the Vandals ahead?
It could have happened had UI not settled for a pair of short Tino Amancio field goals in the third quarter.
“It hurts like heck,” Idaho coach Dennis Erickson said. “You get six points instead of 14. You’ve got to get in the end zone on those. When you play a team like that, you better score touchdowns if you want to win.”
The Vandals were trailing 21-14 to start the second half, but on the third play Stanley Franks snared a Jared Zabransky pass and returned it 35 yards to the BSU 24.
But after a first down at the 13, the drive stalled and Amancio kicked a 29-yard field goal.
The Broncos responded with a touchdown drive and the defense stopped the Vandals. The UI defense returned the favor and on fourth down Ryan Davis blocked Kyle Stringer’s punt. Ben Alexander scooped it up and rumbled 12 yards to the BSU 23. Mix in a penalty and the Vandals were set up at the 12.
“That’s why you don’t take plays off,” said Davis, who added a “safe” return, not a block, was the play call. “You never know when an opportunity will come.”
But again the Broncos defense stepped up, leading to a 25-yard field goal.
“Everybody on the defense likes to rise to the challenge in those kinds of situations,” said BSU leader Korey Hall, who had nine tackles. “I felt like we did a pretty good job forcing them to kick field goals there. That’s stuff we need to get back to. That was good stuff there in the red zone.”
Rivalry appears reborn
From the revitalized home team, to taking the 18th-ranked deep into the fourth quarter, to the second-largest crowd in dome history, the Idaho-Boise State rivalry appears to be back.
“The noise was really loud – it was awesome to be in there,” Hall said. “It doesn’t seat that many people compared to what we’re used to, but it was still one of the loudest places we’ve played this year.”
Even though the Broncs have won eight straight, they headed south knowing the rivalry is back.
“It felt like a rivalry,” Zabransky said. “We definitely did not look past these guys. We knew this was their big game, their Super Bowl. Likewise for us. This was a very big game for us. We knew they were going to try to smash every hope we have.”
Hours before the game, every parking lot near the Kibbie Dome was filled and tailgaters were taking advantage of a lovely day.
“It was an unbelievable crowd. I’ve never seen anything like that since I’ve been here at Idaho,” sixth-year junior tight end Luke Smith-Anderson said.
Notes
Record-breaking quarterback John Friesz became the fifth former Vandal to have his number (17) retired during a ceremony after the first quarter. … Boise State, converting on almost 90 percent of its 37 trips into the red zone, including 26 touchdowns, was 5 for 5 – all TDs. Idaho was 4 for 4, but two were field goals. … Broncos tailback Ian Johnson lived up to his advance billing with 183 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries. “He’s big-time,” Erickson said of the 5-foot-11, 194-pound sophomore. “I knew that going in. Watching him on tape, you can’t tackle the guy. You better have three or four guys there to tackle him.” … Stanley Franks’ interception for Idaho was his seventh, two short of the school record, and he’s had at least one pick in six straight games … Quarterback Steve Wichman set season highs in completions (24), attempts (45), yards (328) and touchdowns (three) as the Vandals struggled to generate a running game (69 yards). … Vandals running back Brian Flowers reinjured his ankle in the second quarter and didn’t return. Wide receiver Max Komar suffered a separated shoulder.