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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) -- Senior Greg Robertson began the season as
Idaho's third-string quarterback, but he ended Saturday as hero of
one of the Vandals' biggest wins in 35 years.
Robertson threw three second-half touchdown passes in relief of
injured Ed Dean as Idaho beat Washington State 28-17, defeating the
Cougars (0-3) for the first time since 1965.
Washington State tied a team record with its 11th consecutive
loss over two seasons.
"I couldn't even dream of anything like this," said Robertson,
who completed 7 of 14 passes for 167 yards, with one interception.
Idaho (2-1) lost starting quarterback John Welsh to a broken leg
in last week's loss at Auburn. Dean left this game late in the
first half with a sprained ankle as Idaho trailed 14-0.
The Vandals did not come alive until midway through the third
quarter, when tackle Mao Tosi forced WSU quarterback Steve Birnbaum
to fumble on a sack.
Linebacker Chris Nofoaiga scooped up the fumble and ran 62 yards
for Idaho's first touchdown.
"I was not going to fall on it," Nofoaiga said. "I saw too
much green."
After Washington State punted, Robertson hit Rossi Martin on a
51-yard touchdown pass. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 42-yard
touchdown pass to Martin for the winning points, and a 19-yard
scoring pass to Michael Moody to wrap up scoring.
Martin caught three passes for 100 yards in the game.
"I think I can definitely put it in the milestone category,"
Idaho Coach Chris Tormey, whose Big West team is struggling to
achieve full NCAA Division 1-A status, said.
"We needed a breakthrough win," Tormey said. "We needed to
beat a Pac-10 team and we were able to get that done today."
Idaho has a bye next week and Tormey said he will wait and see
how Dean recovers before deciding who will start against Wyoming.
Idaho had lost 14 consecutive games to its Palouse neighbor
heading into this contest.
But Washington State has not won since defeating Idaho exactly
one year ago.
"This is the worst of times for Cougar football right now,"
WSU Coach Mike Price said. "They outplayed us and our hats go off
to them."
The Cougars also lost 11 straight over the 1970-71 seasons. The
record is in danger of being eclipsed as Arizona comes to Martin
Stadium next Saturday.
Even though the game was played at WSU's Martin Stadium, it was
officially an Idaho home game. That's because the Vandals rented
Martin for all their home games this season as they try to average
at least 17,000 fans per game to remain in NCAA Division I-A. The
game drew 34,873.
"Right in our own stadium," Price said. "We have never been
this low. We are at rock bottom."
Washington State scored on its first possession, when Marcus
Williams caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Birnbaum. It was the
first time the Cougars had led in a game this season.
Deon Burnett, who finished with 91 yards, ran up the middle for
13 yards and a touchdown to give Washington State a 14-0 lead in
the first quarter.
An Idaho scoring threat midway through the second quarter ended
when Billy Newman intercepted a Dean pass in the end zone.
Birnbaum was injured in the sack by Tosi that led to Nofoaiga's
touchdown.
On the next series, backup Jason Gesser was sacked by Tosi on
WSU's 9, forcing a punt.
On the first play from Idaho's 49, Robertson connected with a
leaping Martin on a 51-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at
14-14.
Lamont Thompson intercepted Robertson at WSU's 40, leading to
Rian Lindell's 48-yard field goal that lifted WSU to a 17-14 lead
in the third.
But as cries of "Lets Go, Idaho," filled Martin Stadium,
Robertson led the Vandals on a 77-yard drive in eight plays, ending
with a wide-open Martin catching the ball in the middle and running
untouched into the end zone for a 21-17 Idaho lead.
Tosi said the roar of the Idaho fans in WSU's stadium was an
inspiration.
"Looking at those people in the stands and seeing friends and
family, and accomplishing something that hasn't been done for 35
years," Tosi said. "It will not sink in until later."
Washington State still leads the series 63-16-3.
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ALSO SEE
College Football Scoreboard
Washington State Clubhouse
Idaho Clubhouse
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