2007 Week 6

October 6, 2007
SAN JOSE, Ca. (AP) - Despite having one less win, the Idaho Vandals (2-4 1-1 WAC) were actually picked by both Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit to win the WAC matchup at San Jose State (2-4 0-2 WAC). The Vandals did not disappoint, putting up a 45-20 win that seems to be their most convincing victory of the season.

The rushing attack for the Vandals was projected to be the strong point of the offense in 2007 but subpar offensive line play made it largely irrelevant. All that changed today. Following a San Jose State TD and a missed extra point (which set the tone for the Spartans), HB Brian Flowers, who won the starting job a few weeks back, got off to a quick start, gaining 62 yards on 6 carries which included a 32 yard TD run. Things didn't slow down when he went out with a bruised knee as backup Jayson Bird became Coach Ghettoshark's first 100 yard rusher at Idaho. Bird finished the game with 127 yards on 30 carries. Even QB Chris Joseph got in on the rushing game, scoring a TD on a 4th and goal QB Sneak from the one.

"Our ground game really picked up today and that was the difference. Now if only they could perform like this every game, we have a chance [at making a bowl]," said Coach Ghettoshark.

Although the rushing game made the headlines, the passing game wasn't bad either for the Vandals. Chris Joseph (who was named the player of the game) completed 9 out of 13 passes for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns, and while he was injured for 2 quarters, Brian Nooy completed 4 out of 11 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Neither defense could contain the run effectively, and as a result both teams finished with over 150 rushing yards. The Vandals passing defensive was a completely different story however. Spartan QB Adam Tafralis was picked off twice, one which was taken to the house by TJ Taylor. The Vandals also held the Spartans to only 1 score on 2 red zone visits.

"Even though our defense didn't do a good job at containing the run, where they lacked in the run they made up for in the pass. The pick 6 by Taylor was crucial since [San Jose State] had just forced us to punt, and was gaining lots of momentum during that drive. That score ended any hopes of a Spartan comeback," said Coach Ghettoshark.

The Vandals will attempt to carry some of the momentum over to next weeks game against Fresno State.