Weber State Stuns No. 4 Idaho Vandals In Big Sky Thriller

Nov 11, 2023, 4:56 PM | Updated: Nov 13, 2023, 3:27 pm

KSL Sports

ODGEN, Utah – Winston Reid authored 17 tackles and Kris Jackson scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground as Weber State upset the Idaho Vandals, 31-29.

Weber State (5-5, 3-4) hosted the No. 4 Idaho Vandals (7-3, 5-2) on Saturday, November 11.

That’s a very happy locker room on Senior Day! 🎶#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/7cRjAn4qhP

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) November 11, 2023

Richie Munoz was economical at quarterback and avoided the big mistake. Munoz completed 55.6 percent of his passes, finishing with 152 yards, one TD, and zero turnovers. Jackson carried the ball 16 times for a team-high 85 yards (5.3 ypc). Jacob Sharp caught three passes for 28 yards and a touchdown.

Reid’s 17 stops led the Wildcats, followed by seven tackles each for Garrett Beck and Jack Kelly. Haze Hadley had a 71-yard punt return on special teams.

Haze Hadley with a 71-yard punt return! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/UKJbYUmN7G

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) November 11, 2023

First Half

It was a slow start as the programs combined for just seven opening quarter first downs. Idaho scored the only points of the first quarter on a 32-yard field goal from Ricardo Chavez.

The Vandals took a 10-0 lead with 10:08 left in the half when Nick Romano capped a 62-yard drive with a rushing score from one yard out.

Weber responded with its best drive of the first half. Quarterback Richie Munoz piloted the 62-yard scoring drive. Kris Jackson finished the drive with his sixth touchdown of the year.

TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS!

Kris Jackson with a 1-yard TD!

Idaho leads 10-7

6:19 | 2nd quarter#WeAreWeber | @KrisJackson__7 pic.twitter.com/JKhPgokptJ

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) November 11, 2023

In the final minute of the half, Jackson scored his second touchdown of the afternoon, giving the Wildcats a 14-13 halftime lead.

.@KrisJackson__7 with another TD and the Wildcats take the lead! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/9n7KLjBV7a

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) November 11, 2023

Second Half

On the second drive of the third period, the Wildcats marched 43 yards in 1:22 before Munoz found Jacob Sharp for a back-corner touchdown.

TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS!

Munoz to Jacob Sharp for a TD!

Wildcats lead 21-13

9:53 | 3rd quarter#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/kPYiz3nZCC

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) November 11, 2023

Romano’s second rushing touchdown of the day and subsequent two-point conversion knotted the game at 21 with 6:03 to play in the third quarter.

Weber State ended the quarter on a high note when Adrian Cormier found the end zone on a 13-yard rush to put WSU back in front.

TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS!

Adrian Cormier with a 13-yard TD and the Wildcats lead 28-21!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/FirCZkFvOf

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) November 11, 2023

The fourth quarter was scoreless until Kyle Thompson’s only field goal of the afternoon increased the Wildcats advantage to 31-21 with 2:24 left in the game.

Gevani McCoy scored a Vandals touchdown and two-point conversion with 12 seconds left to bring Idaho within two. WSU secured the 31-29 win by recovering the Vandals ensuing onside kick.