Sept. 18, 1999

Final Stats | Postgame Notes & Quotes

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Idaho outscored WSU 24-3 in the second half to rally from a 14-0 deficit and beat the Cougars 28-17 in front of a divided crowd of 34,873 in Martin Stadium. The Vandals moved to 2-1 on the season, beating their border rival for the first time since 1965. It was the Cougars' 11th straight loss, and third of the season. WSU looked good early, driving 80 yards on 11 plays to take a 7-0 advantage, its first lead of the season. Senior quarterback Steve Birnbaum completed three passes on the drive before hooking up with junior Marcus Williams for the 19-yard touchdown.

Seemingly unfazed, the Vandals mounted an 80-yard drive of their own, charging to the WSU 27 yard line before Ben Davis's field goal attempt sailed wide right. With 8:18 left in the first quarter, WSU looked to increase its lead. Three Birnbaum passes gained 63 yards to set up the Cougars' second touchdown of the game, a 13-yard Deon Burnett tackle-breaking touchdown scamper with 7:06 left in the first quarter. Although the 14-0 lead would eventually die, it lasted throughout a second quarter of missed opportunities by both teams. Thanks to a strong defensive effort, Idaho took possession at its own 37 yards line with 8:28 left in the second quarter.

It took the Vandals only four plays to move to the WSU 13 yard line, but it also took only one play for the Vandals' drive to be upset. Under heavy pressure, quarterback Ed Dean's first-and-10 pass was intercepted by WSU's Billy Newman in the endzone to quash the Idaho scoring threat. It was a drive indicative of the entire quarter, as Idaho produced six first downs and 144 yards of total second-quarter offense, holding WSU to just 25 second-quarter yards, and yet the Vandals could not close on the scoreboard.

In the third quarter, the tide suddenly turned. After forcing Idaho to punt in its first possession of the second half, the Cougars appeared to be on their way another score. Starting at its own 30 yard line, WSU accumulated three first downs - more than its entire second quarter output - and penetrated to the Idaho 21. But facing third-and-12, Birnbaum was drilled in the chest by Mao Tosi, knocking the ball loose to Chris Nofoaiga, who sprinted 62 yards for the touchdown. Suddenly the Cougars' lead was cut in half, and their starting quarterback was shaken up. On the Cougs' next possession, back-up quarterback Jason Gesser and the WSU offense succeed only in losing fifteen yards, and Idaho received the ball at its 49 yard line. One play later, backup Vandal quarterback Greg Robertson dropped back and fired to Rossi Martin, who eluded the hands of Lamont Thompson and broke free for a 51-yard touchdown reception. Halfway through the third quarter, the game was tied 14-14.

The Cougars tried to bounce back, benefiting from a 48-yard Rian Lindell field goal with 2:07 left in the quarter, but Idaho's momentum eventually overwhelmed them. On its first two possessions of the fourth quarter, Idaho drove 77 yards and 61 yards, respectively, for touchdowns. The first, a 42-yard Robertson-Martin connection with 13:48 left, regained the lead. The second, a 19-yard touchdown reception by Michael Moody, sealed the deal. The Vandals' Anthony Tenner ran for 40 of his game-high 114 yards in the fourth quarter to keep the ball, and the game, in Idaho's grasp.