Idaho Wins First Bowl Game Since 2009

Whoever got together and decided the odds of this game deeply underestimated the Idaho Vandals. The Colorado State Rams were predicted to win by 13 points, but the Vandals put it on them offensively making it through almost the entire third quarter with 41 unanswered points. Ouch. Hopefully you took the over on this 111-point game.

The first few minutes of play started off a little rocky for the Vandals as they were trying to find their footing, allowing the Rams to score one touchdown early on. Idaho took a huge lead in the second quarter, running up the score to an exciting 20-7.

During the halftime report Colorado State head coach, Mike Bobo said they were too focused on footing and need to worry about execution and playing the game in the second half. It seemed like more of the same in the third quarter though with the Vandals scoring another touchdown early on going for 27 unanswered points.

That Vandals were straight fire all the way through the third with a great special teams play that held Colorado State to their own 21 yard line. Deon Watson made an impressive 74-yard touchdown and finished the game with 140 receiving yards. The Rams finally responded in the last two minutes of the third quarter with a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver, Michael Gallup bumping up the score 41-14.

Both teams had to overcome below freezing temperatures and slippery field, but the Vandals were on top of it at the start of the game. Idaho has some small slip ups, but the Rams couldn’t get past the field conditions and their game suffered.

Idaho continued the momentum all the way through the fourth quarter with an amazing one-handed catch and 54-yard touch by Jordan Frysinger. Ironic that his last name has a form of potatoes in it? I don’t think so.

Colorado State recovered in the fourth quarter scoring a total of five touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to cover the lead Idaho hung on to all game long. Lets talk about the stats. The Vandals put up some impressive numbers, breaking the current school record and finishing with 606 total yards. Running back Isaiah Saunders played his best game of the season finishing with 33 carries, three touchdowns, and 147 yards. He had my vote for Player of the Game, but that was awarded to quarterback Matt Linehan. He lead the offensive effectively and passed the ball very well, completing 21/31 attempts.

Idaho fans stormed the field as Petrino was presented with the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl trophy, which not so surprisingly was a potato-filled bowl. Enjoy the win Vandals that was quite the game!