Take a look at our photo gallery from today’s game, shot by Steve Hanks. Here’s three quick observations on the craziness today at the Kibbie Dome, and tomorrow we’ll have some links and grades for the Vandals.

1) The significance of the win. Idaho was never in control of the game, and a loss would have sent them on their way to a potential four-game losing streak (with Fresno State and Boise State coming up). They then might have had a nerve-wracking game against an ever-improving Utah State team (who almost beat Fresno State on the road today) in the season finale to try and get seven wins to sew up a bowl. Now the bowl is pretty much set in stone with three games to go.

2) Nate Enderle’s performance. After getting yanked for the do-or-die drive against San Jose State a few weeks ago, Enderle got his own shot against Louisiana Tech and engineered the game-winning sequence. It was really two drives, and he was 7-for-12 for 96 yards during them. Enderle ended up with more than 320 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. The two picks were deep balls, which is really the first time he’s had one of those long ones intercepted this season. Enderle also should have had a pick-six against him that was dropped by the Bulldogs, and some interesting pass interference calls helped keep some Idaho drives alive.

3) Defensive issues. The Vandals once again struggled out of the gate, giving up four easy TDs in the first half and 360 yards in the first 30 minutes. They made some adjustments at halftime, but were helped out a ton by the absence of La. Tech running back Daniel Porter and QB Ross Jenkins during the final two quarters. The D also allowed La. Tech to maneuver into position for a final FG attempt — albeit an extremely long one.  UI cornerbacks  gave up multiple jump balls for TDs in the first half, including two against freshman Aaron Grymes. Again, the offense scored enough to make up for it and the defense held at the end when it was absolutely necessary.

Last 5 posts by Jesse Baumgartner

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