BOZEMAN, Mont. – The top-seeded Montana State offense exploded for 24 points in the second quarter, building on Idaho miscues and pulled away to the 52-19 win, ending the season for the Idaho Vandal football team in the FCS Quarterfinals, Friday night in Bozeman.
The two teams battled back and forth in the first quarter, ending the first frame with a 7-7 tie.
After an MSU field goal, Idaho responded with one of their own to tie the game 10-10, but a mishit on an onside kick attempt gave Montana State a short field. The Bobcats scored with 3:47 to play in the second. The TD was followed by a Vandal fumble and another MSU touchdown, giving the Bobcats a 24-10 lead.
MSU forced a quick three-and-out on the ensuing Idaho possession and scored a TD with eight seconds left in the second quarter to go up 31-10 at the break.
A turnover on the Vandals first possession of the second half again gave MSU a short field and the Bobcats scored with 9:41 to play in the third to extend the lead to 38-10. Aggressive play calling to try to get the Vandals back in the game led to good field position for Montana State and touchdowns down the stretch.
Jordan Dwyer scored his second touchdown of the game on a 25-yard reception from Layne with 12:31 to play in the fourth quarter and
Cameron Pope added a 43-yard field goal in the final minutes to cut the MSU lead to 33, the final margin.
Dwyer set his career receiving mark for the third consecutive game, hitting the 100-yard receiving mark for the fourth time in five games, he finished with 11 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
Jack Layne was 20-30 for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Deshaun Buchanan ran 10 times for 95 yards. Leading the Idaho offense to 407 yards of total offense.
Jaxton Eck tallied 13 total tackles and
Tommy McCormick has nine total tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
Jahkari Larmond had a tackle for loss and six total tackles.
The loss does not diminish an outstanding season for the Vandals, Idaho won 10 games for just the third time in program history and captured a win over an FBS for the second consecutive season.
Fifteen Vandals earned All-Big Sky honors and two were finalists for national awards (
Keyshawn James-Newby – Buchanan Award and
Mark Hamper – Jerry Rice Award.)
Idaho's strong season came despite having just one player on offense who was listed as a senior. The Vandals lost eight players to FBS teams in the transfer portal and four players graduated who were in NFL camps, including two who earned roster spots.
Idaho went 6-0 at home for the first time since 1996 and won hit the double-digit win total for the first time since 1993. The Vandals made the FCS Quarterfinals in back-to-back years for the first time in program history. Idaho won six consecutive games for the first time since 1994.
