Vandals ran over by Weber State

From local reports and news services

OGDEN, Utah — That wasn’t exactly the way to back up one of the biggest victories in school history. 

The Idaho Vandals fell behind by two touchdowns early, tossed two interceptions, missed three field goals and couldn’t stop the run in a 38-27 loss to the Weber State Wildcats in Big Sky Conference football Saturday afternoon before 5,785 at Stewart Stadium. 

Idaho, which stunned top-ranked Montana State last week, fell to 1-5, 1-2 Big Sky. 

Joshua Wood passed for a career-high 383 yards for the Vandals. But both of his interceptions were turned into fourth-quarter touchdowns by Weber State. 

Weber State (4-3, 3-1) rushed for 307 yards. Spencer Ferguson ran for 153 yards on 14 carries, Seth Rigtrup for 129 on 14 carries. Each scored two touchdowns.  

The scheduled noon PDT start of the game was delayed nearly 20 minutes by lightning during the pregame, then delayed nearly an hour late in the first quarter due to more lightning. 

Weber State scored on the first offensive play when Ferguson broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run.  

Shortly after the second lightning delay, on a reverse-turned-flea-flicker, Wood hit Noah West-Baranco for a 19-yard touchdown to pull the Vandals within 14-7 early in the second quarter. 

Idaho got the ball back on an interception by true freshman Luca Moore, but had a touchdown negated by a holding penalty. The Vandals then went for it on fourth and 3 and misfired on a pass, and trailed 14-7 at the half. 

Wood connected with Tony Harste on a 39-yard TD late in the third to pull within 17-14. And Wood connected with Ryan Jezioro from 13 yards out to make it 24-21 Weber, but each time, the Wildcats answered. 

Tight end Gus Donnerberg posted his first career receptions, and finished with eight catches for 91 yards for the Vandals. 

Idaho travels to Montana next Saturday.

Idaho     0    7    7    13    —    27 

Weber State     14    0    3    21    —    38 

First quarter 

Weber — Ferguson 75 run (Dellenbach kick), 14:49 

Weber — Rigtrup 6 run (Dellenbach kick), 3:39 

Second quarter 

Idaho — West-Baranco 19 pass from Wood (Forsman kick), 12:36 

Third quarter 

Weber — FG Dellenbach 25, 8:18 

Idaho — Harste 39 pass from Wood (Forsman kick), 2:00 

Fourth quarter 

Weber — N. Kjar 14 pass from Dahle (Dellenbach kick), 14:41 

Idaho — Jezioro 13 pass from Wood (Forsman kick), 8:15 

Weber — Rigtrup 16 run (Dellenbach kick), 7:12 

Weber — Ferguson 2 run (Dellenbach kick), 2:46 

Idaho — Harste 14 pass from Wood (pass failed), :15 

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 

RUSHING — Idaho, Wood 13-52, Kincheloe 7-28, Bias 8-25, Miller 1-13, Carter 3-4, Blanchard 1-2. Weber, Ferguson 14-153, Rigtrup 14-129, Dahle 7-26. 

PASSING — Idaho, Wood 32-50-2-383, Carter 0-2-0-0. Dahle 10-19-1-99. 

RECEIVING — Idaho, Donnerberg 8-91, Harste 6-96, McWilliams 5-60, Bias 3-30, Jezioro 2-27, West-Baranco 2-22, Kincheloe 2-19, Card 1-32, Miller 1-4, Alexander 1-4, Bogan 1-(minus 2). Weber, N. Kjar 5-50, Young 3-37, Session 1-6, Rigtrup 1-6.