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Vandals solid in loss to Fresno State

October 12, 2008, 12:07 am

FRESNO — They didn’t win, but the Idaho Vandals played arguably their best game of the year on Saturday against the Fresno State Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs (4-2, 1-1) won 45-32, but for the first time in conference play, the Vandals (1-6, 0-3) were in the game until the clock ran out.

“I liked the way we showed improvement,” Idaho coach Robb Akey said. “They fought to the very last second. That’s the effort that’s going to allow us to get it pushed through.”

Idaho’s Tino Amancio put the Vandals up 3-0 when he connected with a 29-yard field goal on Idaho’s first drive of the game.

Fresno answered by scoring a touchdown on its first series, and added a touchdown early in the second quarter.

Idaho’s defense and special teams picked things up and kept the Bulldogs in check with Eddie Williams coming up with a big tackle off an Idaho punt, and defensive end Josh Shaw collecting his first sack of the year.

Idaho capped a 12 play, 68 yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Nathan Enderle to Preston Davis with just over two minutes left in the half.

Davis, a true freshman, ran into the end zone with tight coverage and out-jumped the defense for the score.

FSU added one more touchdown before the first half came to a close, giving them a 21-10 lead.

The Bulldogs started the half with a 19 yard run by Lonyae Miller, followed by a 44-yard run by Harding that put FSU on the Idaho 20.

Ryan Mathews, who finished the night with 57 yards, ran in from the 20, putting the Bulldogs up 28-10.

Idaho followed by putting together a strong drive.
Starting at the 50, the running back duo of Deonte Jackson and Troy Vital put the Vandals on the FSU 12. Quin Ashley came in for the run, but fumbled the ball. FSU’s Chris Lewis recovered it.

Fresno State capitalize on the mistake when Miller ran the ball in from the FSU 10 for a 90-yard touchdown. The kick by Kevin Goessling put FSU up 35-10.

Instead of crumbling, the Vandals hunkered down and continued to play good football.

Enderle, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, took control in the second.

He began the Vandal drive with a pass to Eddie Williams. He followed by hitting Preston Davis twice, and eventually moved the Vandals to the FSU 22.

Facing third-and-two at the Bulldog 22, Enderle dropped back and hit Davis who made a diving catch in the end zone. Amancio, who was perfect on the night, narrowed the Bulldog lead to 35-17.

FSU did score early in the fourth quarter, but Idaho answered by putting together a 11-play drive that ended with Lee Smith catching a 22-yard pass from Enderle in the end zone, his first of the year, narrowing FSU’s lead to 42-24 with 10:22 left in the game.

The Vandals kept the ball thanks to Davis, who recovered the onside kick.

Seven plays later Jackson eased into the end zone untouched from the 2.

Trying to narrow the deficit to 10 points, Idaho went for the 2-point conversion. At first it looked like Enderle was going to be dropped, but he managed to scamper away from the defense and found Smith in the end zone.

The conversion moved the Vandals within 10 points, 42-32.

Idaho tried another onside kick, but the Bulldogs recovered.

FSU didn’t move the ball much, but it was in good position at the start of the drive, and ended up hitting a field goal from the 29 with 4:57 left in the game.

Those three points were the last of the game, but Idaho made another run.

Starting on the Idaho 49, Enderle hit Max Komar on third-and-10. It looked like Komar had the first down, but officials put the ball down about six inches away from the first down marker.

Enderle ran a keeper and easily picked up enough yardage for the first down, but as he was going down the ball was stripped from his hands. FSU’s Ike Ikenna pounced on it at the Bulldog 34.

The play was reviewed, but not overturned, and the Bulldogs were able to run out the clock.

The Vandals finished the game with 452 yards of total offense, while FSU put up 443 yards.

Jackson led the Idaho ground attack with 98 yards off 18 carries, while Davis led the receivers with 6 catches for 77 yards. Williams had 6 grabs for 68 yards. Fresno’s Miller led all rushers with 181 yards off 15 carries.

Enderle used a big second half to finish 22-of-39-0 for 237 yards and three touchdown passes, while FSU’s Tom Brandstater was 14-for-23-0 for 125 yards.

Idaho will travel to Louisiana Tech next Saturday.