The University of Idaho football team shifts focus to a road contest at Weber State following a dramatic victory over Montana State. The Vandals defeated the Bobcats 35-34 on Friday at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, snapping the national FCS champion’s undefeated streak with a last-second drive.
Quarterback Joshua Wood orchestrated the winning sequence, connecting with Ryan Jezioro on a 25-yard touchdown pass with one second remaining. Wood then completed a two-point conversion to secure the win. The performance earned Wood the Big Sky Conference offensive player of the week honor. He has accumulated 1,320 passing yards this season and averages 306.2 total offense yards per game, ranking second in the league.
Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. addressed reporters on Monday ahead of Saturday’s trip to Ogden, Utah. He emphasized that the team must maintain its momentum through seven remaining games. The Vandals enter the matchup with a 1-4 overall record and a 1-1 mark in conference play.
Weber State presents a significant challenge. The Wildcats defeated Cal Poly 42-34 in double overtime on Saturday, improving to a 3-3 overall record and 2-2 in the Big Sky. Weber State leads the conference in scoring with 225 points through six games, averaging 37.5 points per contest.
The Wildcats’ offense is led by quarterback Nate Dahle, who threw two touchdown passes and rushed for 85 yards and another score against Cal Poly. Receivers Tate Kjar and Noah Kjar were primary targets, catching five passes each. Tate Kjar gained 89 yards and scored twice, while Noah Kjar added 79 receiving yards.
Weber State is in its first season under head coach Eric Kjar, the father of Tate and Noah Kjar. The Wildcats also feature Tre Turner, a transfer from Lamar who joined the roster this year.
Defensively, Weber State ranks first in the Big Sky with 16 sacks. The team employs man-to-man coverage in its secondary, a scheme that will test Idaho’s passing attack.
Idaho’s health outlook improved ahead of the road game. Offensive lineman Tyler Skinner and defensive back Ishaan Daniel are expected to return from injury. No significant injuries occurred during Friday’s contest against Montana State.
The Vandals’ ground game found success in Moscow, with Damonte Bias rushing for 46 yards on carries that averaged 6.6 yards each. Idaho will need to balance its offensive approach against Weber State’s pass rush and coverage scheme.