EUGENE, Ore. – What was touted as a lopsided bloodbath in the waiting between an FBS powerhouse and a lowly FCS team, looked like a top-10 battle of two disciplined teams. The No. 7 ranked (FCS) Idaho Vandals gave the No. 3 ranked (FBS) Oregon Ducks everything they wanted and more, but Idaho couldn't overcome a late deficit and fell to vaunted Ducks 24-14 Saturday night in Autzen Stadium.
The Vandal defense shined, limiting big plays, not a single play went over 24 yards, and holding Oregon to just 107 rushing yards while picking up three sacks and a forced fumble. While Oregon racked up nearly 500-yards of offense, they didn't score a touchdown for 0ver 30 minutes of game time after taking a 14-0 lead with 7:00 to play in the second quarter.
Idaho also held Oregon 1-4 on fourth down and just 7-16 on third down for the game.
The Vandal offense struggled to get going in the first half, but a turnover on downs in the third quarter set up a 36-yard flea flicker touchdown from
Jack Layne to
Jake Cox to get Idaho on the board with 4:15 left in the third quarter.
Idaho drove the field to set up a four-yard Layne keeper TD to cut the lead to 17-14 with 9:45 to play. The Ducks responded and scored on the ensuing possession with 5:36 left in the game to set the final score at 24-17. Idaho battled down the stretch but failed to get into the end zone and Oregon closed out the 10-point win.
Layne was 11-25 for 168 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Elisha Cummings ran the ball eight times for 43 yards and caught two passes for 35 yards.
Mark Hamper was the leading receiver with three catches for 57 yards.
Keyshawn James-Newby tallied two sacks, including a forced fumble and 2.5 tackles for loss. He ended the game with six tackles.
Jaxton Eck tallied 14 tackles and
Tommy McCormick notched 11 to lead the Vandals.
Idaho falls to 0-1 on the season and is back on the road next week against Wyoming in Laramie at 12:30 p.m. pacific time.
Season tickets are still available for five Vandal home games. Visit govandals.com/tickets to order today.
