"They're a very well-coached team. They are picked third in the Mountain West this season. […] We're very excited for the opportunity. It's going to be our first true road game of the year. […] We're excited for the challenge."
Head Coach Thomas Ford Jr.
No. 8 Idaho (2-1) vs. San Jose State (0-2)
MOSCOW, Idaho – The No. 8 Idaho Vandals (2-1) hit the road for their first true road trip of the season as they'll face off against the San Jose Spartans (0-2) in California. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m., Larry Beil and David Fales will be on the call, and Lindsey Pallares will be the sideline reporter. On the radio, the Voice of the Vandals, Dennis Patchin, and Trent Cowan return to the booth for this weekend's contest.
Idaho is coming off its second consecutive victory after beating Utah Tech this past weekend. The Vandals have now won eight straight home games, which is the third-longest home winning streak in school history. The Vandals' Big Sky-leading defense limited Utah Tech to less than 250 yards and zero trips to the red zone for the game. Following the performance, the Vandals moved up in the AFCA Coaches Poll to No. 8. Idaho has now been ranked in the top 25 for 38 weeks in a row.
San Jose State comes in following a bye week. The Spartans stumbled at home against Central Michigan in the season-opener, then dropped a game at Texas in week two. The Spartans are led by Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo who is in his second season coaching San Jose State. Walker Eget has been the starting quarterback through the first two games and has thrown for nearly 500 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Jordan Pollard leads the team with 20 tackles.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR
- The Vandal defense has been one of the best in the nation this season. Idaho leads the conference in rushing defense (13th nationally – 103 ypg) and total defense (22nd nationally – 310 ypg).
- UI's offensive line and ground attack have been stellar through the first three games of the year. With 220 yards per game, the Vandals lead the Big Sky Conference and rank 11th in the nation in rushing offense. The Vandals run game has been critical in Idaho, controlling time of possession, averaging 33:46 per game.
- Quarterback Joshua Wood leads the team in rushing so far this season, racking up nearly 300 yards of offense on the ground and averaging 9.8 yards per carry.
- Idaho is trying to be the only FCS team in the nation to have won a game against FBS competition in each of the last three seasons.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
- 50: All year long, the Vandals are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the P1FCU Kibbie Dome, one of the most unique and celebrated venues in all of college sports
- 3: Idaho is one of three FCS teams to record multiple wins over FBS programs since 2023 (Idaho beat Nevada 33-6 in 2023, Idaho beat Wyoming 17-13 last season)
- 6: Idaho is ranked in six major polls across the nation, ranking as high as No. 5, and as low as No. 8
- 8: Idaho went 6-0 in the Dome last season and has now won eight consecutive games in the Dome.
- 11: Per Massey Ratings, Idaho's strength of schedule was ranked 11th in the nation entering the season.
- 19: Amount of transfers Thomas Ford Jr. brought in to this year's squad
- 38: Consecutive weeks the Vandals have been ranked in Top 25 – the second longest streak in school history (42, 1992-95)
- 56: Amount of letterwinners returning from last season
- 71: Players on this year's team are from the Pacific Northwest (64% of the total roster)
- 165: Games Idaho has won in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome
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TICKETS: Season tickets, mini plans, and single-game tickets are
available here or by calling the Idaho Ticket Office at (208) 885-6466. Limited tickets are available for Idaho's game at San Jose State. They can be purchased at GoVandals.com
