POSTGAME NOTES
MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho football scored 49 unanswered points to cruise to its first victory of the season Saturday, 56-10 against Western New Mexico at the Kibbie Dome. The Vandals (1-1) scored twice on special teams in the fourth quarter to blow the game open.
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Idaho quarterbacks
Mason Petrino and
Colton Richardson combined to complete 20-of-25 passes, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Petrino and Richardson hit eight different receivers, including three different touchdown recipients.
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David Ungerer, who caught a four-yard score from Richardson to start the fourth quarter, also returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown six minutes later. Ungerer finished the day with 235 all-purpose yards – the 13th-highest single-game total in program history – including career highs of nine receptions and 118 receiving yards. His punt return touchdown was Idaho's first such score since 2011.
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The previous drive by Western New Mexico (0-2) ended with a field goal attempt.
Christian Elliss broke through the line and blocked the kick.
Dorian Clark scooped up the deflection and scampered 47 yards for a touchdown. It was Idaho's first blocked field goal returned for touchdown since 2005.
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The Mustangs took a 10-7 lead with 10:57 remaining in the second quarter.
Isaiah Saunders scored on the ensuing Idaho drive and the Vandals never looked back. Idaho took a 21-10 lead into halftime after Richardson hit
Jeff Cotton for a 25-yard score with 60 seconds left in the half.
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Western New Mexico rushed for 109 yards in the first half, but the Vandals surrendered just 14 yards on the ground after intermission.
The 46-point win is Idaho's largest margin of victory since 2000.
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The Vandals will take their bye next week, followed by their Big Sky Conference opener Sept. 22, at UC Davis. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT and will be televised by Eleven Sports.
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