Idaho Vandals pillaged by Fresno State

MOSCOW - This time, the Idaho football team dug itself too big of a hole to stage one of its second-half comebacks.

But the Vandals sure did try. They scored a touchdown in the final minute and recovered an onside kick with 23 seconds left, but there was too big of deficit to overcome in a 31-21 loss to Fresno State in a key WAC game Saturday night at the Kibbie Dome.

"The football gods didn't smile on us today like they have been at the end," defensive end Aaron Lavarias said.

Idaho fell behind 24-0 at halftime - its largest deficit at home this season - and couldn't grab a fourth comeback win of the season.

Instead, it was the Vandals' (7-3 overall, 4-2 WAC) first loss at home this season and it means coach Robb Akey's squad will head to Boise this week for the annual Gem State rivalry game against Boise State on a sour note and some uncertainty on its offense.

The Vandals played without starting quarterback Nathan Enderle, while All-WAC guard Mike Iupati left the game in the fourth quarter with a possible concussion.

Enderle was held out because of a shoulder injury. Idaho also lost starting safety Jeromy Jones to an injury on the game's first play.

"Nate was not able to go and we're hoping he'll be ready to play next week," Akey said. "It's a day-to-day thing and he'll keep getting treatment."

It took all of one play - a 77-yard touchdown run by the nation's leading rusher Ryan Mathews - to put the Vandals in a hole.

Mathews finished with 143 yards and three touchdowns as Fresno State (6-3, 5-1) took over sole possession of third in the WAC.

Without Enderle, Idaho looked out of whack on offense in the first half. Backup Brian Reader connected on just 2-of-10 passes in the first half, though he was the victim of several drops. Idaho also had several penalties.

"I don't think that had a thing to do with it," Akey said. "The slow start and some of the miscues didn't have a thing to do with the quarterback."

In the second half, the sophomore found more of a rhythm and led Idaho to three touchdown drives.

He threw two touchdown passes, including a 69-yarder to Maurice Shaw in the final minute to pull Idaho within 31-21. The two-point conversion failed, and despite recovering an onside kick, Idaho could get no closer.

"I thought he played well,'' Akey said about Reader, who completed 12-of-25 passes for 239 yards and no picks.

Idaho held Fresno State to seven points in the second half.

The loss essentially eliminates Idaho from contention for a WAC title, but a bowl berth remains a strong possibility.