Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

University of Idaho Athletics

Matt Linehan vs. NMSU 2016
Spencer Farrin (Moscow, Idaho)

Football

What a game!

Everything came together for the Idaho Vandals last Saturday in their 55-23 victory over New Mexico State. The passing game was exceptional, the running game complementary. Kicker/punter Austin Rekhow was more kicker than punter – and excelled. And the defense came up with one big play after another – totaling nine tackles for loss for the day.
 
Quarterback Matt Linehan had his best day as a Vandal and the fourth best by any Vandal quarterback with his 476 yards passing. He completed 29 of 36 attempts and threw for four touchdowns and was intercepted once. He had an efficiency rating of 222.73 in Idaho's 55-23 victory over New Mexico State. His passing yards total is the 14th best performance in the country this year as was his completion percentage of .806. He added another 28 yards rushing (with one rushing touchdown) for 504 yards total offense – 10th best in FBS after seven weeks. He used seven receivers with three of them catching more than 100 yards. Idaho's total offense output of 651 yards for the game ties for 30th best in the country this year.
 
Those numbers pushed him to fourth on the all-time passes attempted list (996) and passes completed list (599). He passed his dad, Scott, on the all-time passing yards list when he moved into sixth with 6,101 career yards.
 
One of just two players in the country on the Ray Guy and Lou Groza watch lists, Rehkow continued to be consistent and dependable. While he was needed just once in his capacity as the Vandals' punter, he was plenty busy as their kicker. He connected on all seven point-after kicks in addition to two field goals (33 and 37 yards). He became Idaho's all-time field goal leader with 62 career field goals. Of his 10 kickoffs, seven were touchbacks.
 
He became Idaho's all-time field goal leader with 62 in his 3½ seasons. He was tied with Trey Farquhar at 60 heading into last Saturday's game.
 
Idaho's 55 points was the most since the Vandals scored 58 at Louisiana-Monroe in 2003.
 
The Vandals are ranked second in the Sun Belt in six categories with four of those in the top 20 in the nation. They're eighth in net punting, 10 in punt return defense, 15 in total interceptions and 17 in total turnovers gained. They are 28th in fewest penalties per game and 36th in fewest total penalties.
 
Individually, Rehkow leads in the league in two categories (field games per game, fourth nationally, and total points scored, 26th nationally), Tony Lashley is the league leader in fumble recoveries (seventh nationally) and Linehan is second in total passing yards (33rd nationally).
 
The Vandals are on the road at Appalachian State Saturday. Idaho is 4-3, 2-1 in the Sun Belt and the Mountaineers are 4-2 overall and 2-0 in league play. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET.
 
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Matt Linehan

#10 Matt Linehan

QB
6' 3"
Junior
Major: Broadcast and Digital Media
Tony Lashley

#33 Tony Lashley

LB
6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
Major: General Studies

Players Mentioned

Matt Linehan

#10 Matt Linehan

6' 3"
Junior
Major: Broadcast and Digital Media
QB
Tony Lashley

#33 Tony Lashley

6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
Major: General Studies
LB
University of Idaho Athletics loading logo