OGDEN, Utah — Oct. 10, 2026 — Idaho’s offense produced plenty of yards and made a determined fourth-quarter push Saturday, but the Vandals could not overcome an early hole or Weber State’s explosive rushing attack in a 38–27 Big Sky Conference loss at Stewart Stadium.
The defeat dropped Idaho to 1–5 overall and 1–2 in Big Sky play. It was another frustrating result for a Vandals team that controlled several important statistical categories but was unable to turn that edge into a road victory.
Senior quarterback Joshua Wood led Idaho’s offense with a prolific afternoon, completing 32 of 50 passes for 383 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 52 yards. Receiver Tony Harste caught six passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, while Noah West-Baranco and Ryan Jezioro each added a scoring reception.
Idaho finished with 496 total yards, 25 first downs and 37:09 in time of possession, compared with Weber State’s 404 yards, 20 first downs and 22:51 of possession. The Vandals converted 10 of 19 third-down opportunities and matched Weber State with two takeaways. But the Wildcats’ biggest plays came at costly moments.
Weber State struck on its first offensive snap, when Spencer Ferguson broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run just 11 seconds into the game. The Wildcats added another first-quarter touchdown on a 6-yard run by Seth Rigtrup, leaving Idaho down 14–0 before its offense could settle in.
The Vandals responded with a sustained second-quarter drive. Wood finished an 11-play, 75-yard possession by finding West-Baranco for a 19-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14–7 with 12:36 left in the half.
Idaho stayed within reach through the third quarter. After Weber State added a 25-yard field goal, Wood connected with Harste on a 39-yard touchdown pass with two minutes left in the period. The score pulled the Vandals to within 17–14 and gave them real momentum entering the final quarter.
That momentum did not last.
Weber State scored just 19 seconds into the fourth quarter on Nate Dahle’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Noah Kjar, extending the lead to 24–14. Idaho answered with perhaps its best drive of the afternoon: a 12-play, 35-yard march that consumed more than six minutes and ended with Wood’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Jezioro. With 8:15 remaining, the Vandals were back within three points at 24–21.
But the defense could not get the crucial stop. Weber State answered immediately, driving 75 yards in three plays before Rigtrup scored on a 16-yard run. The Wildcats then added Ferguson’s 2-yard touchdown run with 2:46 remaining to push the margin to 38–21.
Wood and Harste connected for a final 14-yard touchdown with two minutes left, but Idaho’s two-point conversion try failed, ending its comeback hopes.
Ferguson was the central problem for Idaho’s defense. He finished with 153 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, including the opening 75-yard score that set the game’s tone. Rigtrup added two rushing touchdowns as Weber State repeatedly made Idaho pay with short, decisive scoring drives.
The loss will sting because Idaho showed it could move the ball against one of the Big Sky’s better teams. The Vandals held the ball for more than 14 minutes longer than Weber State and outgained the Wildcats by 92 yards. Yet the early 14-point deficit and Weber State’s fourth-quarter answers highlighted the difference between producing offense and finishing a game.
Next, Idaho travels to face Montana on Saturday, Oct. 17, with kickoff set for 12 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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