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MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho football rode a dominant first half to a 35-27 victory against No. 11 Eastern Washington Saturday, at the Kibbie Dome in a nonconference game. The Vandals (2-2) led 28-0 at the half behind an efficient offense and inspired defense. The win is Idaho's first against a team ranked No. 11 or better in any national poll since 1999.
 
Senior quarterback Mason Petrino threw for a season-high 240 yards, tossing two touchdowns and running for another in his first game after being officially named the starter. The final score was a leaping reception by Jeff Cotton, who absorbed hits by two converging defenders in the end zone and held on to give Idaho a 35-13 advantage with 7:59 to play.
 
Cotton's touchdown, on his 10th and final reception of the day to give him 110 yards receiving for the game, came after Eastern Washington (1-3) had scored twice in the second half and blocked an Idaho field goal attempt to get within two scores.
 
The Eagles added two more touchdowns in the final four minutes, but Idaho recovered both ensuing onside kicks to keep the visitors at bay. The final touchdown, a 30-yard pass on fourth and 23, came with 45 seconds remaining.
 
Idaho now leads the all-time series 16-7, but the win snaps a three-game losing streak against the Eagles and is Idaho's first victory in the series since 1999.
 
Linebackers Tre Walker and Christian Elliss led Idaho's defensive effort. The Vandals held Eastern Washington to six first downs and 103 yards in the first half. Elliss recorded a sack and an interception before halftime. His second career interception, the first by the Vandals this season, ended the Eagles' only threatening drive of the first half as he came up with the turnover at the Idaho 19 yard line with 4:43 left before halftime.
 
Walker was once again Idaho's leading tackler with a career-high 14 stops. The sophomore has led the Vandals in each of the first four games of the season. Walker has 44 tackles on the year, averaging 11 per game.
 
Redshirt freshman running back Aundre Carter and the Vandal offensive line announce their presence early and often. Carter ran for two first quarter touchdowns and had 75 yards in the first half. Redshirt sophomore counterpart Roshaun Johnson carried the load in the second half, finishing with a team-high 18 carries for 59 yards.
 
Cutrell Haywood reeled in his first touchdown catch of the year with an eight-yard grab in the second quarter, carrying a defender inside the two before stretching to reach the goal line.
 
Less than three minutes later, Petrino tucked the ball and sprinted 20 yards to the end zone for his first rushing score of the season, putting Idaho ahead 28-0 just 24 minutes into the game.
 
Idaho opens Big Sky Conference play Sept. 28, at Northern Colorado. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. MT/noon PT, and will be televised on Eleven Sports.