MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho Vandals suffered a challenging defeat on Saturday, falling 37-16 to the Idaho State Bengals. This marked Idaho’s first home loss to ISU since 1981, ending a long-standing streak and highlighting a difficult day on both sides of the ball.
Offensive Struggles and Quarterback Setback
Joshua Wood Injured After Slow Opening Half
Starting quarterback Joshua Wood faced a tough outing before halftime, completing passes for only 73 yards while throwing one interception. His day ended early due to a shoulder injury, leaving the Vandals without their veteran leader for the remainder of the game.
Sawyer Teeney Shows Promise as Freshman QB
True freshman Sawyer Teeney stepped in and delivered an encouraging performance. Teeney went 8-of-12 for 53 yards and recorded a touchdown pass, offering Idaho fans a glimpse of his potential for future seasons.
Third-Down Efficiency Proves Costly
Idaho struggled to extend drives throughout the game, converting just 2 of 11 third-down opportunities. In contrast, Idaho State performed more consistently on offense, going 7 for 15 on third downs.
The inability to sustain drives ultimately contributed to the Vandals dropping their eighth loss of the season.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
With this defeat behind them, the Vandals now shift their focus to next year. Idaho will kick off the 2026 season on August 29, facing the Cal Poly Mustangs, where the team hopes to bounce back with a stronger start.
The Idaho Vandals’ 37-16 loss to Idaho State highlighted persistent offensive challenges, third-down inefficiency, and an untimely injury to starting quarterback Joshua Wood.
While the defeat was disappointing—especially as the first home loss to ISU since 1981—the promising performance from freshman Sawyer Teeney gives the program optimism as they prepare for the 2026 season opener. The focus now shifts to rebuilding momentum and correcting gaps before the next campaign begins.
