MOSCOW, Idaho — Idaho’s season opener ended in the kind of loss that can linger. But with No. 21 Utah waiting on a short week, Vandals coach Thomas Ford Jr. said there is no time to let it.
Idaho fell 38-34 at Cal Poly after the Mustangs converted a fourth-and-8 for a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. Ford called the loss “disappointing to say the least” and “a very frustrating way to lose a football game.”
Still, Ford’s first message after the game was not centered on the negatives
“I really want to focus on the positives,” Ford said. “I think there was a ton of positives.”
The biggest positives were on offense. Idaho rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit, scored 18 fourth-quarter points and produced 405 yards of offense. Quarterback Joshua Wood threw for 363 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Receiver Tony Harste caught nine passes for 180 yards and two scores.
Ford said the Vandals showed the explosive potential that can keep them in games throughout the season.
“Anytime you can score points you feel like you have a chance,” Ford said. “Having a high-powered offense that can create explosive plays … [is] encouraging, knowing that we can have an offense that can really move the ball and score on anyone.”
Idaho’s immediate concern is on defense. Cal Poly finished with more than 500 yards of offense, and Ford said the Vandals must improve their secondary play — particularly communication when formations shift before the snap.
“We’ve got to improve on that tremendously,” Ford said. “Obviously it starts with us as coaches. We’ve got to get those guys in the right positions and get them some calls that they’re very comfortable in.”
The Vandals now head to Salt Lake City for a Thursday night matchup at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah, a top-25 Power Four opponent, will present a major test in size, speed and physicality. It will also bring one of the loudest road environments Idaho will face this season.
The team has added crowd noise to practice and is working to simplify communication in anticipation of that setting. Ford said the short turnaround has also helped Idaho turn its attention away from the Cal Poly loss.
“The best part of this week is having the short week,” Ford said. “We had Saturday to meet, get it over with, put that game to bed and got to practice last night.”
Ford said Idaho’s approach against Utah is to embrace the challenge rather than play cautiously.
“We have everything to gain and nothing to lose,” Ford said. “We’ve got to move on quickly. We’ve got to go execute. We really just got to go put our best foot forward and put everything out there on the line.”
For Idaho, the goal Thursday is not complicated compete without fear and give itself a chance late.
“If we can be competitive with these guys and have a chance in the fourth quarter, we’ll feel pretty good about it,” Ford said.
Idaho and Utah kick off Thursday at 6 p.m. Pacific time on ESPNU.
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