Eagles run over Linehan, Vandals in 47-24 win

Once again, late in the game the Idaho Vandals found themselves with a chance to snap the longest losing streak in the nation, and once again, a costly turnover in the fourth quarter effectively ended their chance at a comeback.

Idaho nearly battled back from a 23-point deficit, but Georgia Southern's Matt Dobson intercepted Vandal quarterback Matt Linehan in the fourth quarter and returned it for a touchdown. The visiting team never recovered as the Eagles cruised to a 47-24 win Saturday in Statesboro, Ga.

The final score, however, didn't truly reflect how close Idaho came to ending its losing streak - now at 13 straight defeats. Midway through the third quarter of Saturday's game, Idaho found itself on the wrong end of a 33-10 hole, but a 4-yard touchdown dash by Vandal running back Elijhaa Penny and a successful two-point conversion made it a two-possession game.

Idaho's defense responded on the next series by forcing a turnover, setting up the offense for another Penny touchdown run - this one of the 1-yard variety. The Vandals' two-point try failed, but they were within striking distance at 33-24.

Again, Idaho's defense stopped Georgia Southern, but on the Vandals' ensuing possession, Linehan found himself under pressure and attempted to flip the ball out into the flat to receiver Deon Watson. It proved to be a costly mistake as Dobson recorded the interception, giving his squad a commanding 40-24 lead. The Eagles tacked on another touchdown with 12 seconds remaining in the game for the final margin.

With the loss, Idaho falls to 0-6 overall, 0-4 in the Sun Belt. The Vandals will host New Mexico State on Saturday.

Three things we learned

• Better o-line

Idaho’s offensive line has given up quite a few sacks this year — nine in last week’s contest to Texas State alone — but against the Eagles, the Vandals surrendered just three sacks. That’s still three more than coach Paul Petrino would like to see, but it’s definite improvement.

•  Growing pains

Linehan has been nothing short of impressive in his first five collegiate starts, but he still has a lot of room to grow. For the second week in a row, the redshirt freshman threw an ill-advised pass late in the which was picked off. Linehan will need to avoid the costly mistakes in clutch time as he progresses.

• Going both ways

Idaho knew Georgia Southern would run the ball at its defense, but the Eagles broke out a few more passes than usual too. GSU wound up passing for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 15 attempts. Of course, it was the running game which still delivered the knockout blows.

Three things we knew

• Speed kills

Georgia Southern came into the game as the top rushing team in the nation, and perhaps the fastest team in the Sun Belt. Much as they did against Texas State, the Vandals struggled defending the option, allowing the Eagles to rush for 349 yards.

“Freakin’ simple option defense. One guy has the dive, one guy has the quarterback, one guy had the pitch,” Petrino told radio commentator Evan Ellis after the game. “We didn’t do that worth a damn.”

•  Penny pounding it

Penny continued his scoring spree, pounding in three short-range scores on the day. At 6-foot-2, 248-pounds, the stocky junior continues to show opposing defenses he is a force to be reckoned with on the goal line. He finished with 75 yards on the day.

•  Mr. McCain

In his first game since being named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, Idaho receiver Josh McCain kept on rolling. The flashy senior reeled in six catches for 97 yards, keeping his spot atop the leaderboard for most receiving yards per game in the Sun Belt.

Three things to expect

• Attacked on the ground

Idaho’s defense came into Saturday’s game as one of the worst rushing defenses in the nation, and that didn’t change. Through six games, the Vandals have surrendered 1,637 yards (272.8 per game). Only New Mexico, Louisville, UNLV and New Mexico State have allowed more yards on the ground.

• Building for the future

While the wins have been elusive, it’s obvious the Vandals have a solid nucleus to their team with first-year starter Linehan at the middle of it. With Petrino’s reputation for building fast-paced, exciting offenses, it shouldn’t be too hard to start luring recruits into the Kibbie Dome.

• Linehan back

Late in the game, Linehan took a shot and had to leave the game. Chad Chalich came on in relief and completed his only pass — a 41-yarder to Richard Montgomery. After the game, Petrino said Linehan’s injury wasn’t serious and that the redshirt freshman was “fine.”

Ben Handel can be reached at (208) 883-4629, or by email to bhandel@dnews.com.