The Hornets face a very talented Idaho team this weekend as the Vandals look to play spoiler as their own playoff hopes were snuffed out earlier in the season. As disappointing as a season has been for Idaho, they still have plenty of talent and the Hornets can't afford to overlook this critical final home game of the season.
Offensively, quarterback Joshua Wood (128/221, 1663 yds, 14 TD, 3 INT, 70 car, 443 yds, 6 TD) is the heartbeat of this offense. It's no surprise that the Vandals saw their slump happen when he was sidelined with injury earlier in the year. Wood is a very talented dual threat that extends plays with his legs, has a very strong and accurate arm, and makes sound decisions in the passing game. Running backs Elisha Cummings (70 car, 367 yds, 2 TD, 24 rec, 302 yds, 3 TD) and Nate Thomas (86 car, 357 yds, 1 TD) are dynamic threats that will be a major matchup problem for the Hornet defense. The top targets in the passing game are wide receivers Ryan Jezioro (27 rec, 347 yds, 4 TD) and Emmerson Cortez-Menjivar (21 rec, 271 yds, 1 TD) but there are a host of others that have a significant amount of targets.Half of the Vandal offensive line is a bit undersized but this is a capable line that has proven good enough to allow the offense to move the ball and score points.
On the defensive side, the Vandals have been inconsistent. They have taken care of the weaker offenses but have struggled against the better ones. Linebackers Dylan Layne (71 tak, 5 TFL) and Isiah King (66 tak, 8.5 TFL, 3 sac) lead the team in tackles. Defensive end Matyus McLain (34 tak, 11 TFL, 3.5 sac) is the main disruptor in the backfield as he leads the Idaho defense in tackles for loss and sacks. Defensive back Jhamell Blenman (31 tak, 1 TFL, 2 INT) leads the Vandals in interceptions.
On special teams, the Vandals have tried out a slough of kicker and each of them have had their struggles. Trais Higgins is the leading kick returner averaging almost 21 yards a return.
The Hornets are going to have their hands full on defense. With the injuries at linebacker, the Hornets matchup very poorly against the athleticism of the Vandal quarterback and running backs. Couple that with the Vandal passing game that has shown its capability of stretching the field and this Vandal offense should move the ball at will against a Hornet defense that has a propensity of giving up the big play.
On the other side of the ball, the Hornets will have the advantage in the trenches and should be able to find a lot of success on the ground. With rain in the forecast, this bodes well for the strength of the Hornet offense.
I have this game as a toss up and am not sold that the Hornet defense has all of a sudden figured out how to stop an offense with the playmaking ability that Idaho has. That said, I think this will be a high scoring game with the Hornets edging out the Vandals to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Stingers Up!
