Georgia Southern capitalizes on big plays to subdue Vandals

MOSCOW, Idaho – A familiar script is starting to develop for Idaho when it comes to Sun Belt Conference games within the confines of the Kibbie Dome.

Momentum swings gone awry and leaving with the feeling of “what if?”

The case in point came in the first quarter during Idaho’s conference opener hosting defending Sun Belt champion Georgia Southern.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Linehan took advantage of the Vandals’ first interception of an opposing quarterback of the season to matriculate his offense 94 yards down the field over the course of seven minutes, going 6 of 7 with 70 yards on the drive.

Elijhaa Penny couldn’t convert on three straight runs from inside the five and Austin Rehkow was eventually called upon to kick a chip-shot field goal.

Georgia Southern’s response took only 11 seconds. Matt Breida burst through a hole on the next play from scrimmage, finding himself with nothing but space during an 83-yard touchdown jog to put his side on top 10-3.

Another familiar story – conceding big plays.

Idaho kept knocking, and Georgia Southern kept answering with big plays to stave off the Vandals 44-20 Saturday night in front of a reported Dad’s Weekend crowd of 14,441.

“For a half we went toe to toe with the best team in the league,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “For a half we were there, now we have to get it where we can get it for the whole game.”

Indeed, the Vandals only trailed the Eagles 16-13 at halftime thanks to Idaho’s tenacious defensive effort in the red zone. Georgia Southern was held to field goals in each of its first three trips inside of Idaho’s 20-yard line.

But that effort would only last so long against the Sun Belt’s most prolific rushing attack.

Breida struck again on Georgia Southern’s first possession of the second half with a 66-yard run, weaving through Idaho’s defense and reversing direction to put Georgia Southern up 23-13.

In the end, the Eagles averaged 8.5 yards per rush with 14 runs of 10 or more yards. Breida and quarterback Kevin Ellison both eclipsed 100 yards (179 and 134, respectively), and two TDs each.

“We always say next play, we went to the next play, we still made stops after that. We just can’t give up those plays,” said Idaho safety Armond Hawkins, who had two tackles for loss. “Big plays hurt. It wasn’t really different, it was the same. We knew they were going to run the ball.”

Linehan pulled Idaho to within 30-20 late in the third quarter with a perfectly placed 44-yard TD to Epps over two defenders.

Although he ended the night with two fourth-quarter interceptions, coupled with Penny being stuffed on a fourth-and-one, to prevent Idaho from making any kind of comeback.

Linehan has been nursing an ankle injury since the USC game, which was evident at times Saturday. Back-up quarterback Jake Luton would have subbed for him if Idaho had gotten the ball back late in the fourth quarter.