Idaho Vandals don’t look past Lehigh with chance to win 10 games for third time in school history | Vandals from Idaho

MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho Vandals are 9-3 this season and face the Lehigh Mountain Hawks on Saturday with a lot on the line: their first 10-win season in 30 years, an undefeated home record this season and a possible Second leg with the no. 1 team in the country, the Montana State Bobcats.

The Vandals would undoubtedly relish the opportunity to avenge their worst loss of the season, a 38-7 loss in Bozeman in October. But first, they have to overcome a Lehigh team that was fresh off a 20-16 win over No. 9 Richmond. Head coach Jason Eck said the team still has a lot to achieve in this home game on Saturday.

“I think this is another legacy game for our seniors. We talked about going undefeated at home when we played Weber State. Well, it’s no use saying we’re undefeated at home until we lose in the playoffs,” Eck said.

Lehigh enters the game on a six-game winning streak and is allowing just 13 points per game in those victories. Their defense has been the backbone of this team, and when they play well, the Mountain Hawks win. Idaho needs to put up points to win, as Lehigh hasn’t won a game by more than 20 points this year and has gone 0-3 in those contests.

Idaho is also on a five-game winning streak and has played its best complementary football of the season in recent weeks. The Vandals are coming off an impressive 40-17 road win over Idaho State. Eck said the team has big goals for the postseason and needs to start this weekend with a win to achieve those goals.

“I tell the team that the history of this team is still being written. We have to integrate the last few chapters well into the book and hopefully ensure that it has a good ending,” said Eck.

The rematch with Montana State is upon us and the Vandals know what lies ahead. Idaho scored a season-low seven points against the Bobcats while giving up a season-high 38 points in the contest. Coach Eck said it was his responsibility to keep the team focused on this game and not worry about who they might play next week.

“I have to do a good job of that this week, especially because I think everyone knows who will be seeded in the next game. This is a game that embarrassed us. You know, you got your ass kicked. We’d love that.’ We’ve got to try and avenge that, but we’ve got to take care of business this week. We have a good Lehigh team here.

The No. 8 Idaho Vandals (9-3) will face the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (9-3) in Moscow at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome at 6 p.m. Post-game coverage will be available on SWXLocalSports.com and the SWX app.

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