Winless Idaho Stuns Reigning FCS Champion Montana State After Timeout Blunder
The University of Idaho Vandals completed a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the undefeated Montana State Bobcats, ending their 19-game winning streak.
In what is being called the craziest upset of the college football season, the winless Idaho Vandals pulled off a stunning victory over the undefeated and reigning FCS champion Montana State Bobcats Friday night.
The Vandals, who entered the game with a 0-4 record, defeated Montana State 35-34 at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho, ending the Bobcats' 19-game winning streak. The pivotal moment came in the final seconds of the game.
With eight seconds left and no timeouts, Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood completed a pass to wide receiver Ryan Jezioro for a first down, moving the ball to midfield. Trailing 34-27, Idaho was facing an improbable comeback. However, Montana State head coach Brent Vigen inexplicably called a timeout, gifting the Vandals an extra play.
Wood capitalized on the unexpected opportunity, firing a touchdown pass to Jezioro as time expired. Idaho opted to go for a two-point conversion to win the game in regulation rather than attempt an extra point to tie and go to overtime. The successful conversion secured the improbable 35-34 victory.
The win was particularly significant given Montana State's undefeated record and their status as the number one team in FCS. The Bobcats had not lost a game since 2024, and the Vandals had previously been eliminated by Montana State in the FCS Playoffs that same year.
The game also saw other notable matchups, including Northwestern's decisive win over Penn State and a close contest between Virginia Tech and Pitt. However, the dramatic conclusion in Moscow, Idaho, overshadowed other collegiate football games played that night.