Analysis: Vandal football caps off another historic season

Make no mistake, the Idaho football team did enough this season to cement itself among the Football Championship Subdivision elite.

The Vandals continued ending droughts, a trend that began when second-year coach Jason Eck took over in 2022.

Eck and the boys led the Vandals to their first playoff appearance since 1995 last season but got bounced 45-42 by Southeastern Louisiana in the opening round.

Despite the early exit, the energy surrounding the football program was at an all-time high. But the Vandals still had to prove they belonged.

Idaho made the grade in a big way, capping this regular season at 9-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play, good enough for second place in the Big Sky Conference.

The Vandals touted a top-10 passing defense from within the FCS, and fifth-year receiver Hayden Hatten continued to etch his name into the Vandal history books.

The Phoenix native hauled in nine touchdown receptions, upping his career total to 33, making him Idaho’s all-time leader in TD grabs.

As the regular season was in motion, the Vandals earned their first Football Bowl Subdivision win as a member of the FCS with a dominant 33-6 victory over Nevada on Sept. 6.

Idaho had another competitive showing the following week against FBS opponent California, but fell 31-17.

The Vandals looked like they were on their way to an undefeated nonconference slate following a 2-yard rushing score from sophomore quarterback Gevani McCoy with 9:08 remaining in the first half to put them in front 17-0. But the Golden Bears responded with 31 unanswered points to win the Sept. 16 matchup.

Idaho opened the regular season with a 42-17 win over Lamar on the road. This game replaced what was originally scheduled as a Division II home game.

This decision was controversial at the time, as it gave the Vandals one less game at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.

Although Idaho spent an ample amount of time away from its friendly confines, this choice gave it a better chance at reaching the playoffs, as well as hosting a postseason game for the first time since ’93.

It’s fair to say that decision paid off for the Vandals.

By season’s end, Idaho was the fourth seed in the FCS playoffs and received the first-round bye and home-field advantage that came with it.

Idaho opened postseason play with a gritty 20-17 win over Southern Illinois in the second round, giving it its first FCS playoff win since ’93.

The Vandals’ season came to an end in the quarterfinals, falling 30-22 to Albany on Saturday.

A win would’ve sent Idaho to the semifinals for the first time in program history.

Although the Vandals fell short of making history yet again under Eck, there’s no doubt he’s got them on the right track.

Several individuals for Idaho solidified their names in the record books following their 2023 campaign.

Junior defensive back Marcus Harris, who entered the transfer portal on Monday, had a one pass breakup against the Great Danes. But that PBU made him Idaho’s all-time leader in that category with 36.

Sophomore running back Anthony Woods, who also entered the transfer portal on Monday, recorded 16 rushing touchdowns this season, which tied for fourth all-time in single-season history with Joel Thomas (1998).

Finally, Hatten’s 1,231 receiving yards bumped him up to 3,449 in his career, making him second all-time in program history, moving past Jerry Hendren.

Idaho’s season was an undeniable success, but it was a tale of two halves.

In their first six games, the Vandals were 5-1, averaged 35 points per game on offense and were No. 3 in the FCS stats perform poll.

After a 42-14 throttling of Cal Poly on Oct. 7, Idaho was set to host Montana for the 89th Little Brown Stein rivalry game, a game it lost 23-21 on Oct. 14.

In that one, the Vandals’ electric offense was held to just 120 yards through two quarters as their star running back, Woods, had just 12 carries throughout the contest.

The offensive line also had a less-than-stellar night for the Vandals, giving up a season-high seven sacks. Idaho’s front five struggled all season, allowing 32 sacks, the third most in the Big Sky. But they had arguably their best outing of the season against Albany, who had recorded a Division I-high 49 sacks in the quarterfinals, allowing just one sack.

Idaho was 4-3 in its final seven games and never really strung together a complete game on both sides of the ball, with the exception of a 24-21 victory over Montana State on Oct. 28.

The Vandals followed that with a relatively lifeless performance against a winless Northern Colorado team on Nov. 4.

Idaho needed a pick-six in the game’s final minutes from Harris to seal the 27-13 win.

Idaho’s lackluster showing trickled into the following week as it fell 31-29 to Weber State, essentially eliminating itself from Big Sky title contention.

To make matters worse, McCoy suffered an ankle injury against the Wildcats, meaning the Vandals would be without their all-conference quarterback in their regular season finale against Idaho State.

His absence didn’t make much of a difference, as backup signal caller Jack Layne had a stellar night under center, finishing 20-of-26 passing for 275 yards and six touchdowns en route to a 63-21 win over the Bengals.

Once the Vandals reached the postseason, their offensive struggles resumed.

Idaho recorded a season-low 293 yards of total offense against the Salukis and had to rely on its special teams and defense to get the win.

Senior receiver Jermaine Jackson scored on an 86-yard punt return to tie the game at 10 apiece with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter.

Southern Illinois was quick to respond on the following drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Ro Elliott to retake the lead 17-10.

A couple of drives later, Idaho’s offense went on its best drive of the game, going 83 yards on nine plays, capped off by a 1-yard score from Woods.

The Vandal defense stood tall at the end of regulation as freshman linebacker Xe’ree Alexander blocked a Jake Baumgarte field goal that would’ve won the game.

Harris, who was one of Idaho’s best players in its final stretch, recorded an interception during SIU’s first offensive drive of overtime. This allowed senior kicker Ricardo Chavez to nail a 28-yard field goal for the win.

Once the Vandals reached the quarterfinals, their offense seemingly found their mojo once again.

McCoy was 24-of-43 passing for 317 yards and was only sacked once.

Woods had 16 carries for 105 yards (6.5 per carry), and up to that point, Idaho was 15-0 when the Palmdale, Calif., native had 63 or more yards on the ground.

However, it just wasn’t meant to be, as the Vandal pass defense, which had been stout all season, could not find an answer for senior receiver Brevin Easton, who finished with nine receptions for 228 yards and three touchdowns.

The Vandals’ loss to the Great Danes concluded their third-best FCS season in program history.

Idaho has a lot to hang its hat on but a lot to work to do as well, especially with the key portal casualties it’s already facing.

However, one thing this team can rely on is the leadership of Eck, who has put together one of the quickest rebuilds in the FCS over the last decade.

Since he’s arrived in Moscow, the standard has changed to Idaho being perennial playoff contenders.

This season was a huge step in that journey, with yet another history-making season at the helm. But these previous two seasons have practically ended every major drought this team has left. So from here on out, it’s all about consistency.

Pixley may be contacted at (208) 848-2290, tpixley@lmtribune.com or on Twitter @TreebTalks.