StoriesSeptember 7, 2024
FIRST LOOK: Vandals upset Cowboys, but lose another quarterback
Idaho defeats Wyoming for the first time in 103 years
Randy Isbelle Sports staff
The Idaho Vandals defeated the Wyoming Cowboys for the first time in 103 years Saturday with a 17-13 victory in Laramie, Wyo.It was the first time the Vandals have ever won in Laramie and it was Idaho coach Jason Eck's second victory against a Football Bowl Subdivision school in two years.But the win came at a cost as quarterback Jack Wagner went down with an upper body injury with about seven minutes to go and was unable to return. Redshirt freshman Nick Josifek replaced Wagner, but did not throw a pass.Wagner started the game after original starting quarterback Jack Layne broke his collarbone in the first game of the season against Oregon.Idaho senior defensive end Keyshawn James-Newby dominated on the defensive line and recorded three sacks.Wyoming struck first with a field goal on the first drive of the game. Idaho went three-and-out, but a bad snap went over the head of Wyoming quarterback Evan Svoboda and Idaho linebacker Isiah King picked it up for a turnover.Junior running back Elisha Cummings had five carries on the ensuing drive, including a 3-yard touchdown on a fourth-down play to give the Vandals the lead, 7-3 after the extra point. Cummings finished with 16 carries for 52 yards and the touchdown.Wagner looked solid early and was a perfect 5-for-5 in the first quarter for 51 yards. Every pass was to sophomore wide receiver Jordan Dwyer.
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A miscommunication in the secondary allowed Devin Boddie Jr. to get open for a 20-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.Wagner continued to find a solid connection with Dwyer, including a 26-yard completion. The Vandals drove right down the field and Jake Cox got open for a fourth-down touchdown reception from the 2-yard line. The first touchdown for Wagner in his collegiate career.Then the defenses took over.Eck continued to push the envelope with a fake punt call on fourth down at midfield. The Cowboys shut it down and looked like they were going to flip the momentum.Svoboda looked to score on a quarterback sneak, but replay showed his knee was down at the 1-yard line.A false start helped the Vandals, who came up with a goal-line stand and forced Wyoming to settle for a field goal.Over the final four offensive possessions for Wyoming, it had 18 plays for -1 yards.In the TruTV post game show, James-Newby celebrated with a Victor Cruz-inspired salsa dance.
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