Vandals 'frustrated' after loss ... Idaho contends late Hornets completion shouldn't have counted

By MARK NELKE 

Sports writer 

They hadn’t been in this situation since 2021, but the Idaho Vandals nearly played the role of spoilers Saturday night in Sacramento.

Trailing by 10 points early in the fourth quarter, Idaho rallied to take a four-point lead with 3:17 remaining. 

But Sacramento State, aided by a controversial reception at the 2-yard line in the final minute, punched in the go-ahead touchdown in with 9 seconds remaining and kept its FCS playoff hopes alive with a 23-20 victory before 15,467 at Hornet Stadium. 

“Obviously, pretty frustrated with the result,” first-year Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. said. “I felt like at the end of the game there, we got one taken from us.” 

Idaho (4-7, 2-5 Big Sky) had its run of playoff appearances end at three the previous week with a home loss to UC Davis. But the Vandals nearly did the same to the Hornets, in their final season in the Big Sky. 

On second and 2 from the Idaho 20, quarterback Cardell Williams of Sac State (7-4, 5-2) hit wide receiver Jordan Anderson for a leaping catch down the right sideline for 18 yards to the Idaho 2. 

A catch was ruled on the field, but the Vandals contended Anderson’s foot came down out of bounds before the back of his right shoulder landed inbounds. 

Ford said he was told the replay was inconclusive, so the call of a catch stood. 

“I don’t think that’s the right call,” Ford said. “It got reviewed and they said there wasn’t enough evidence (to overturn it). They definitely missed one on that call, and I believe they will see this, and think the exact same.” 

On the next play, Williams kept the ball on a read option, and dashed off left tackle untouched for the go-ahead score. 

“We’ve got to do a better job getting aligned properly, and we’ve got to make the tackle,” Ford said of the game-winning play.  

Idaho trailed 16-6 after three quarters, the Vandals’ lone points coming on a pair of field goals by Owen Forsman, the Lakeland High product. 

Nate Thomas scored on a 7-yard run with 13:37 remaining to pull Idaho within 16-13. 

The Vandals stopped the Hornets on fourth down inside the 10, and Wood kept the ball on a 10-yard run for a 20-16 lead with 3:17. 

On its final drive, Sac State converted a fourth-and-14 with a 20-yard completion to Williams at the Idaho 28. 

Sac State came in averaging 254.3 yards per game, third in all of FCS. JaQuail Smith ran for 122 yards, Rodney Hammond Jr. 120 for the Hornets, who finished with 282 rushing yards. 

“Especially against a really good running team, to stop those guys on fourth and short not once, but twice, is very impressive,” Ford said. “Our front seven has really turned the corner, and over the last five games has been really stingy against the run, and they did another really good job today against one of the top rushing attacks in the country. 

Wood ran for 117 yards on 14 carries for Idaho, and passed for 162 and was not sacked. 

“That offensive line has continued to be a benchmark for our club. Held a team that’s leading our conference in sacks (37) to zero.” 

Cruz Hepburn (Lewiston High) had 11 tackles, including a sack, for Idaho. Matyus McLain (Priest River High) had five tackles, including a sack for the Vandals, who finished with three. 

“Very proud of the way our players played,” Ford said. “We felt like something got taken away from us that was out of our control.” 

Idaho wraps up the season Saturday at home vs. Idaho State.

Idaho     0    3    3    14    —    20 

Sac St.    3    3    10    7    —    23 

First quarter 

SAC — FG Meadors 30, 8:03 

Second quarter 

SAC — FG Meadors 38, 5:30 

Idaho — FG Forsman 21, 1:20 

Third quarter 

SAC — Campbell 26 pass from Williams (Meadors kick), 10:27 

Idaho — FG Forsman 22, 6:35 

SAC — FG Meadors 31, 1:37 

Fourth quarter 

Idaho — Thomas 7 run (Forsman kick), 13:37 

Idaho — Wood 10 run (Forsman kick), 3:17 

SAC — Williams 2 run (Meadors kick), :09 

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 

RUSHING — Idaho, Wood 14-117, Matheney 6-48, Thomas 8-4, Cummings 1-(minus 2). Sac St, Smith 14-122, Hammond Jr. 26-120, Adams II 4-14, Henderson II 5-14, Williams 8-10, Bass 1-3, Abdullah 0-(minus 1). 

PASSING — Idaho, Wood 15-26-1-162. Sac St, Williams 14-18-0-176. 

RECEIVING — Idaho, Matheney 3-20, McWilliams 2-49, Bogan 2-33, Swanson 2-25, Thomas 2-7, Cox 1-10, Graves 1-8, Cortez-Menjivar 1-7, Cummings 1-3. Sac St, Campbell 6-61, Williams 2-38, Hammond Jr., 2-17, Adams II 1-33, Henderson II 1-12, Smith Jr. 1-8, Anderson 1-7.