University of Idaho Athletics

FINAL SCORE: Idaho 17, No. 14/17 Lamar 23

RECORDS: Idaho (0-3, 0-1), No. 14/17 Lamar (2-1, 0-0)

IDAHO LEADERS 
PASSING: Joshua Wood (20-40, 205 YDS) 
RUSHING: Joshua Wood (19 ATT, 50 YDS, 1 TD)
RECEIVING: Lonyatta Alexander Jr. (4 REC, 64 YDS), Ryan Jezioro (7 REC, 48 YDS)
DEFENSE: Luca Moore (9 TKL, 4 SOLO), Cruz Hepburn (7 TKL, 3 SOLO, 0.5 TFL)
 

NOTABLES:

• True Freshman Luca Moore reset his career-high, posting a game-high nine tackles. 

• WR Lonyatta Alexander Jr. secured a career-high 64 receiving yards.

• Ryan Jezioro posted a career-high seven receptions. 

• Idaho's defense secured a season-high two sacks.

• The Vandal Defense recorded a season-high two turnovers.

• QB Joshua Wood attempted a career-high 40 passes.

• WR Trais Higgins recorded a career-long kick return of 38 yards. 

• Following a 3-4 performance in the red zone today, Idaho is now scoring on 90% (9-10) of its red zone drives.
   

MOSCOW, Idaho - In the wake of Idaho Athletics immortalizing its 2026 Hall of Fame class into the history books, two recovered fumbles and a late offensive surge could not lift Vandal football over No. 14/17 Lamar in UI's 2026 home opener.  

Idaho received the ball to start the game, picking up a first down before falling just short on a fake punt near midfield, setting the Cardinals up with great position at the Vandal 38-yard line. The Idaho defense responded by forcing the Cardinals into a three-and-out, holding them to a 50-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide right. 

Ian Shoemaker's offense struggled to find a rhythm and was held to an early three-and-out. Idaho would get a spark, however, just one play later, when Cameron Pope's punt took a UI bounce off a Cardinal special teamer, causing a dogpile that saw Nikko Speer recover possession for the Vandals. Idaho capitalized on the momentum swing, putting the first points on the board with a 38-yard field goal from Rathdrum, Idaho's Owen Forsman.

The Cardinals began their second drive at the 13-yard line, breaking free for a 14-yard run to begin a 10-play, 69-yard drive. A series of penalties pushed Lamar back nearly 15 yards, forcing them to settle for a 36-yard field goal to level the score early in the second quarter.

After an Idaho drive stalled, the Lamar offense began another scoring possession, with the Vandal defense holding strong on third down deep in their own territory, forcing the Cardinals to settle for three to take a 6-3 lead.

Lamar took over on offense three minutes later, but the Vandal defense continued to make critical plays, as Davon Donaldson forced LU's second fumble of the half to get Idaho the ball back with just over four minutes to play in the opening two quarters.

UI's defense came out strong in the second half, bringing the Cardinals to an early three-and-out and helping the Black and Gold's offense find some momentum. Quarterback Joshua Wood delivered a 13-yard dot to Tony Harste, followed by a designed screen play to offensive tackle Charlie Vliem on an 11-yard gain, bringing Idaho to the opponent's one-yard line. Wood capped off the drive on the following play, crossing the goal line himself and drawing the Vandals within 10.

The Idaho defense kept the same pace, with Donaldson sacking the quarterback, bringing Lamar to a 3rd and 16. Idaho would bring the pressure, causing an incompletion and forcing LU to punt. 

UI's attack got behind the sticks early in the final frame, finding themselves staring down third-and-27, until Wood kept the drive alive with back-to-back connections with Lonyatta Alexander Jr. to get into Cardinal territory. Running back Ferrari Miller found the end zone on a one-yard rush, cutting the difference to 17-23. UI was unable to recover the ensuing onside kick but was provided one final opportunity as the defense forced a three-and-out. The final possession did not result in points, and Lamar secured possession of the football as the final seconds ticked off the clock, sealing the result. 

UP NEXT: The Vandals will continue their three-game home stretch against Abilene Christian on Saturday, September 19 inside the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., with the game airing on SWX, ESPN+, and the Vandal Radio Network.

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.