GAME BOOK | IDAHO NOTES | IDAHO QUOTES

MOSCOW, Idaho – Running backs carried the load for Idaho on Thursday night, as the Vandals topped Sacramento State, 28-6, in the season opener in the Dome. Aaron Duckworth and Isaiah Saunders were outstanding all night, finishing with a combined 226 yards on the ground.

"I thought our defense played well. They flew around and did good things," said head coach Paul Petrino. "Offensively, we didn't play well at all. It was pretty easy to watch that. But we ran the ball well enough to win.
 
"Good defense, good special teams and running the ball, that's how a lot of people win championships. It wasn't as flashy as I like, but we didn't throw the ball that much."


 
Duckworth finished the night with 142 yards and a score, to go along with a pair of catches. The play of the night came in the second quarter, with Duckworth hauling in a pass and scampering down the Sacramento State sideline for 49 yards, the longest catch of his career.
 
The Vandal defense was also outstanding, keeping the Hornets out of the end zone all night.  Tony Lashley led the way with eight tackles, while Kaden Elliss had four tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. The six points allowed by the Vandals is the fewest in a game since defeating Utah State 28-6 on November 20, 2010.
 
Matt Linehan opened up his senior season by completing nearly 74 percent of his passes for 163 yards and two scores. Linehan moves into fifth in Sun Belt history in passing yards, with 8,879 on his career.


 
Neither team found much offense in the first quarter, heading into the break still knotted at zero. Idaho took command in the second quarter, outscoring Sacramento State 14-6. The Hornets got on the board first, with a field goal early in the period, but the Vandals responded with back-to-back touchdowns from Linehan, with the Hornets closing out the half with another field goal. Defensive lineman DJ Henderson barreled his way into the end zone form the 1-yard line midway through the second quarter, while Duckworth added some insurance in the fourth.
 
The win is Idaho's sixth straight, dating back to last season. The six-game winning streak is tied for the sixth longest active winning streak in the nation and is Idaho's longest winning streak since 1994.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho football by following the team on Twitter, @VandalFootball, on Instagram, @VandalsFB, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals Football.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.