‘That’s a man’s game.’ Freshman linebacker, defense shine as Idaho outlasts winless foe
Winless Northern Colorado had its eye on a game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter Saturday, and perhaps a massive upset to put a dent in Idaho’s season.
But Vandals cornerback Marcus Harris made sure that didn’t happen.
The redshirt junior intercepted Northern Colorado quarterback Shea Kuykendall and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown with 2:44 remaining, sealing No. 3 Idaho’s 27-13 victory over the Bears on Saturday at Nottingham Field in Greeley, Colorado.
The win kept the Vandals (7-2, 5-1) in a share of first place in the Big Sky Conference standings with two games remaining in the regular season.
“Just knowing that we needed to get a stop some way or another, whether its forcing three-and-out or they were gonna go for it on fourth down or get a turnover. That was just our mindset going out,” Harris said. “So just attacking the ball when it came my way was my mindset.”
Idaho limited Northern Colorado to 186 total yards, including just 55 through the air, while collecting nine tackles for loss and two sacks. Freshman linebacker Xe’ree Alexander led the Vandals with 13 total tackles, including three for loss.
“That’s a man’s game,” Idaho coach Jason Eck said. “Really it was bad coaching by me that we didn’t play him more earlier in the year, because he’s a playmaker. He certainly has done a great job. As long as he’s healthy, he’s gonna be starting every game from here on out because he’s playing great and I’m proud of him. He’s been an impact player as a freshman.”
Idaho led 10-0 early in the second quarter after a 48-yard field goal by Ricardo Chavez and a 1-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Anthony Woods. Woods finished with a game-leading 105 rushing yards on 23 carries.
But the Bears (0-9, 0-6) grabbed the momentum just before halftime when Kuykendall hit tight end Kyle Helbig with a 5-yard TD pass to cut the Vandals’ lead to 10-7 going into the break.
Idaho extended its lead to 17-7 on quarterback Gevani McCoy’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hatten with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter, only to see Northern Colorado chip away with a pair of field goals from Hunter Green, who connected from 40 and 25 yards out, to pull the Bears within 17-13 with 10:37 left in the fourth.
Chavez pushed Idaho’s lead back to seven, 20-13, with 4:44 on the clock on a 27-yard field goal. And then the Vandals relied on their defense.
“It looks like a 14-point spread, but at one point it was a one-possession game with four minutes left,” Eck said. “So they certainly were in that game down the stretch. ... They’re doing a good job with their players and keeping them playing hard even though they’re not having the best year.”
McCoy completed 18-of-25 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown with one interception. Redshirt junior wide receiver Hayden Hatten was his top target, hauling in six receptions for 104 yards and a score.
Idaho is on the road again next week, taking on Big Sky opponent Weber State. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Mountain time Saturday, Nov. 11, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden, Utah. The game will be televised on ESPN+.
