MOSCOW, Idaho – Mike Beaudry found Hayden Hatten for the game-winner with 54 seconds to play to lift Idaho (1-0, 1-0) over No. 12 Eastern Washington (0-1, 0-1), 28-21, on Saturday in the Kibbie Dome.  The Vandals earn the win in the 2021 Spring Season-opener, presented by Famous Idaho Potatoes.


 
The game went back-and-forth, and Idaho did not hold a lead until the final minute, but the Vandals got the job done when it mattered the most.
 
Hatten recorded his first career 100-yard game, finishing the day with 138 yards receiving on six catches, to go with his one score. Newcomer Mike Beaudry had a solid night, completing 22 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Tre Walker and Christian Elliss led the way defensively with 15 tackles each, a new career-high for Elliss. Walker also mixed it up on offense and tied for the team lead with 27 yards on the ground. Tyrese Dedmon picked off Eric Barriere in the first, his third interception in the last four games.
 
EWU jumped out to a 14-0 advantage early in the second quarter on a Dennis Merritt touchdown. Idaho buckled down from there and picked up touchdowns from Nick Romano and Roshaun Johnson to level the score at 14 at the half.
 
The Eagles again took control to start the third with a quick touchdown to Anthony Stell Jr. Idaho was able to tie things up minutes later as Cutrell Haywood found the end zone.
 
Neither team was able to score for the next 20 minutes, until Hatten broke the tie and took the win.
 
Next up, Idaho hosts UC Davis on Saturday, March 6 at noon.
 
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