CHENEY, Wash. – Idaho football suffered a 38-14 loss Saturday, at No. 5/4 Eastern Washington. The Eagles (6-2, 4-1 Big Sky) raced out to a 31-14 lead before Mason Petrino connected on two passing touchdowns for the Vandals (3-5, 2-4 Big Sky) in the second half.
 
The Vandals drove into the red zone on their first possession but fumbled to thwart the scoring opportunity. The turnover ended a streak of four consecutive games Idaho had scored on its opening drive.
 
EWU responded with a six-play drive that resulted in a touchdown. The Vandals failed to convert a fourth down near midfield on their next possession and the Eagles needed just three plays to take a 14-0 lead.
 
The second quarter saw EWU score two touchdowns and a field goal on its way to a 31-0 halftime advantage.
 
Petrino found Cutrell Haywood in the end zone for a four-yard score in the third quarter, capping an 83-yard drive that included three plays of at least 20 yards. It was Haywood's fourth touchdown in the last two games. EWU answered right back with a 64-yard touchdown on the ensuing possession.
 
Jeff Cotton led the Vandals with eight catches for 110 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown from Petrino in the final minute.
 
Petrino completed 20-of-28 passes for 177 yards and the two scores. The junior quarterback was also Idaho's leading rusher with 55 yards on seven attempts.
 
Ty Graham, playing in his hometown, led Idaho with a career-high 12 tackles.
 
The Vandal defense logged four sacks among nine tackles for loss but surrendered 546 yards of offense, including 375 through the air.
 
Idaho returns home for its next two games, hosting North Dakota (Nov. 3) and Montana (Nov. 10). The regular-season finale is set for Nov. 17 at Florida.