SAN MARCOS, Texas – Idaho broke open a tie game with 17 second-quarter points and scored 16 more points in the second half as the Vandals handed Texas State a 47-14 setback Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Stadium.
 
How It Happened:

• Texas State (2-7, 0-5 Sun Belt) forced an Idaho three-and-out on the game's first drive, then promptly moved 57 yards – aided by three Vandal facemask penalties – in eight plays for the early 7-0 lead. Stedman Mayberry scored from a yard out after totaling 37 yards (19 rushing and 18 receiving) during the drive.
• Idaho (6-4, 4-2 Sun Belt) provided an immediate answer with a 77-yard scoring drive of its own. On the first play from scrimmage Deon Watson caught a wheel route and raced 57 yards down the sideline to the Bobcat 20. Six plays later Trent Cowan was on the receiving end of a Matt Linehan touchdown strike, knotting the score at 7-7.
• The Bobcats took only three splays to regain the lead at 14-7. Mayberry broke free for a 28-yard reception on second down and Tyler Jones connected with Thurman Morbley for a 44-yard touchdown on the next play.
• Idaho made the score 14-14 with 33 ticks to play in the first quarter as Tueni Lupeamanu plunged in from a yard out, capping a 78-yard drive that consumed 12 plays and 5:47 off the clock.
• The Bobcats went three-and-out from deep in their own end to start the second quarter. Idaho capitalized on its defensive stand as the offense again found the end zone for a 21-14 lead on Denzal Brantley's 2-yard rush around the left end.
• Texas State moved the ball 29 yards on the ensuing drive, but could not convert on third-and-3. The Bobcat defense then held on third down and forced a Vandal punt that was returned 36 yards by Brandon McDowell to the Idaho 36. However, the Bobcats could not take advantage of the positive field possession and punted the ball away after six plays netted all of five yards.
• The Vandals took over at their own 20 and quickly moved 80 yards in four plays for their fourth TD of the half. Isiah Saunders' appeared to be stopped the 24-yard line, but slipped under the pile and broke free for the TD with 1:29 to play.
• Idaho immediately regained possession as a Texas State fumble on the ensuing kickoff set the Vandals up at the fumble at the 5-yard line. The Bobcat defense would hold the Vandals out of the end zone and force a 25-yard Austin Rehkow field goal, giving the visitors a 31-14 lead.
• Texas State was unable to convert a first down on its first drive of the second half. Following a short punt out of bounds, Idaho took over at the Bobcats' 41. Following a pair of completions down to the 10-yard line, the Vandals' Linehan scrambled around the left end and dove for the pylon. After an official review, the play was ruled a touchdown as Idaho took a 38-14 lead.
• An errant Texas State snap rolled through the end zone for an Idaho safety, increasing the Vandals' lead to 40-14 at the 6:32 mark in the third quarter.
• The Bobcat defense forced the Vandals to punt on their possession following the safety. Anthony D. Taylor surged up the middle and blocked the kick, Dila Rosemond scooped up the ball and appeared to score. But a chop block against the Bobcats negated the scoring play.
• Idaho's Lupeamanu scored the game's final touchdown from a yard out with 5:33 to play.

 
Notable:
Texas State's Jones finished the first quarter 3 of 3 for 94 yards and a touchdown … McDowell's 36-yard punt return in the second quarter was the longest for Texas State this season … The third-quarter safety was the first yielded by the Bobcats since Oct. 25, 2014 at ULM … Taylor's blocked punt with 47 seconds to go in the third was Texas State's sixth blocked kick of the season … Moreover, the blocked punt was Taylor's third of the season and second in as many games … Bryan London totaled a career-high 19 tackles, including 13 solo.
 
Statistical Leaders: ­
Jones finished the game 12 of 16 for 175 yards and a touchdown through the air … Mayberry led the Bobcats' ground attack with 29 yards and a score on 10 carries … Mayberry also proved to be Jones' top target, hauling in six passes for 78 yards … London led the Texas State defense with 19 tackles, marking the eighth game in which he has led the Bobcats in stops … Gabe Loyd also has double-digit stops with 11.
 
Idaho's Linehan was 26 of 33 for 336 yards and a score, while also running seven time for 24 yards and a TD … Saunders was the Vandals' top rusher with 89 yards and a TD on 18 attempts … Watson led all receivers with 116 yards, including a long of 57.
 
Up Next:
Texas State travels to New Mexico State next Saturday (Nov. 19) for its final road game of the season. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. CT and can be viewed live on the WatchESPN platform.