Idaho senior kicker Ricardo Chavez was the hero of the game as the Vandals defeated the Salukis 20-17 in overtime on a walk-off field goal to advance in the FCS playoffs.
Idaho was down 10-3 at halftime with Chavez making a 40-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half.
After a Gevani McCoy Interception, the Idaho defense held strong, forcing a Salukis punt. Jermaine Jackson took the ball to the house on an 86-yard punt return to tie the game with 5:22 left in the third quarter.
On a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, a McCoy pass was deflected down, but the Southern Illinois defense was called for pass interference, giving Idaho a fresh set of downs. Anthony Woods punched in the 1-yard TD with 4:17 left in the game to bring Idaho back and tie it 17-17.
With 5 seconds remaining, Southern Illinois kicker Jake Baumgarte attempted a 41-yard field goal to win the game. Freshman linebacker Xe'ree Alexander deflected the ball to save Idaho's season and send the game to overtime.
Idaho won the coin toss and opted to play defense first. The choice paid off as junior linebacker Marcus Harris intercepted the ball, sending Idaho to offense.
Anthony Woods took the ball in on a would-be game-winning touchdown run, but he was called out of bounds. A TJ Ivy Jr. taunting penalty was tacked on as well, sending Idaho back an additional 15 yards.
Idaho still marched down field and knelt the ball on the 11-yard line, setting up a Chavez 28-yard game-winning field goal. Chavez (who made 15-of-17 on the year) made the field goal and the game was over.
Read the full story in Sunday's issue of the Tribune.
