FINAL SCORE: No. 24 Idaho 14, Eastern Washington 21

RECORDS: No. 24 Idaho (2-5, 0-3), Eastern Washington (3-4, 2-1)

IDAHO LEADERS 
PASSING: Nick Josifek (6-13, 104 YDs)
RUSHING: Rocco Koch (14 ATT, 81 YDs, 5.8 AVG)
RECEIVING: Marquawn McCraney (7 REC, 105 YDS, 1 TD)
DEFENSE: Cruz Hepburn (9 TKL) // Matyus McLain (3.5 TFL, 1 Sack)

NOTABLES:

• CB Jhamell Blenman recorded the first interception of his career following a batted ball by LB Isiah King
• WR Marquawn McCraney notched the first touchdown reception of his career 
• QB Rocco Koch tied his career high in rushing (81 yards)
• WR Marquawn McCraney set a career and team season-high of 105 receiving yards
• WR Michael Graves recorded his first receiving touchdown of the season.

MOSCOW, Idaho - In a game filled with momentum swings and key defensive stands, the Idaho Vandals opened strong but couldn't hold off a determined Eastern Washington team on Saturday. From Elisha Cummings surpassing 1,500 career rushing yards to big plays from the Vandal defense, Idaho showed plenty of fight before the Eagles pulled away.

Opening up with the Vandals' first play from scrimmage, Cummings reached the 1500-career rushing yard plateau. 

The Vandals continued the drive, opting to go for a 4th and 1 at their own 25-yard line. This high-stakes maneuver did not go in the favor of the Silver and Gold as they were stopped by the Eastern Washington defense.

Idaho's defense had its back against the wall with the EWU attack taking over at the Vandal 25-yard line. UI's defense stood pat as the Eagles attempted to march forward, but the Brave and Bold shut out Eastern Washington, holding them scoreless on the drive.

After a back-and-forth battle throughout the first frame, EWU eventually converted a 31-yard field goal for the opening score of the game. 

Idaho responded to the Eagle offense as it drove down the field in a six-play 75-yard scoring drive, in which Jack Wagner floated a beautiful ball to Marquawn McCraney who hauled it in for a career-long 26-yard reception to tally his first touchdown of his career. 

The drive was capped off with Owen Adams converting the PAT, putting UI ahead 7-3 nearing the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Idaho defense shined as Isiah King broke up a pass, popping it into the air on a long ball and falling into the waiting arms of Deuce Blenman, marking the senior's first career interception.

As the half came to an end, Eastern Washington led 7-13.

Matyus McLain sparked the defense in the third quarter, recording his second sack of the year while finishing with a team-high 3.5 tackles for loss.

Just before the final two-minute timeout, Michael Graves hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass from Nick Josifek, the first for both this season, drawing the Vandals within seven. 

Ultimately, as the time expired, the Vandals fell to the Eagles by a final score of 14-21.

UP NEXT: The Vandals are back in Moscow on October 25th to face off against the Portland State Vikings at 1 p.m. in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow the Vandals on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates.

TICKETS: Season tickets, mini plans, and single-game tickets are available here or by calling the Idaho Ticket Office at (208) 885-6466.