One of the most dominant defensive performances in the past 20 years was the impetus behind Idaho's victory at Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday evening. The Vandals yielded just 266 total yards – 105 rushing and 161 passing, en route to the 23-13 decision at Cajun Field.
In more than 200 games since 1999, those are the 14
th fewest yards given up by an Idaho defense. The fewest in that span is 171 to Utah State in 1999. It was a collaborative effort with linebacker
Tony Lashley leading the way with 13 total tackles (four solo and nine assists), linebacker
Kaden Elliss with eight tackles of which two were sacks (-14 yards) and lineman
Aikeem Coleman, who added two more sacks to his impressive first-year resume`.
With last Saturday's victory, the Vandals pulled into a tie for third in the Sun Belt Conference with a 5-4 overall mark, 3-2 in the league. Their next stop is at San Marcos, Texas, next Saturday when they take on Texas State (2-6, 0-4). They wrap up the regular season with home games against South Alabama (Nov. 26) and Georgia State (Dec. 3). With one more victory, they will become bowl eligible for the first time since 2009.
As a team, Idaho is second in the Sun Belt in fewest total penalties and fewest penalties per game. Both numbers – 43 total penalties and 4.78 penalties per game, are 16
th nationally. Additionally, they are third in the league in punt return defense (6.7) and tackles for loss allowed (5.44). They're fourth in fewest penalty yards (463) and rushing defense (166.3 allowed per game).
Individually,
Austin Rehkow is the national leader in field goals per game with 2.33 and is second in the league and seventh nationally in field goal percentage (.913). He also is first in the Sun Belt in total points with 83, which is 22
nd nationally, and is second in points per game (9.2, 24
th nationally). In his dual role as Idaho's punter, he has a .1 lead over Alabama's JK Scott for the active career lead and is third in the Sun Belt and 30
th nationally with an average of 43.2 yards per kick.
Lashley is the league leader in fumble recoveries with two (11
th nationally) and Coleman moved into third in sacks per game with .78 (24
th nationally). Elliss and
Jayshawn Jordan remain tied for third in the conference and 32
nd nationally in interceptions with three each.
Matt Linehan has moved into second in the league and 40
th nationally in total passing yards with 2,110. He is fourth in the Sun Belt in yards per completion (11.85) and total offense per game (247.0).
Aaron Duckworth is fourth in total rushing yards with 531 as part of a three-way rotation in the Vandal backfield.
With last weekend's performances, Rehkow and Linehan have climbed in the Idaho record books. Rehkow is:
- First in career field goals attempted (90),
- First in career field goals made (69),
- First in career field goal percentage (.767), and
- First in career punting average (46.4),
while Linehan is:
- Fourth in career completions (645),
- Fourth in career completion percentage (.604), and
- Fifth in career passing yards (7,622).
