OGDEN, Utah (Interstat) — Weber State used a powerful rushing attack and two interceptions to defeat Idaho 38-27 in an NCAA Football Championship Division game Saturday at Stewart Stadium. Attendance was 5,785. The game was played at Stewart Stadium, where Weber State’s home crowd watched the Wildcats control the line of scrimmage and finish with a balanced offensive effort. The Wildcats improved to 4-3, while the Vandals fell to 1-5.

Idaho entered after a one-point win over Montana State, its first victory of the season, while Weber State arrived following a road win at Cal Poly. The Wildcats’ ground game set the tone early and kept the Vandals chasing throughout. Spencer Ferguson, a 6-foot, 200-pound running back, rushed 14 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Seth Rigtrup added 14 carries for 129 yards, one reception for 6 yards and two touchdowns. Nate Dahle completed 10 of 19 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown and ran seven times for 24 yards and another score. Noah Kjar, a 6-foot, 195-pound receiver, caught five passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Robert Young, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound receiver, had three receptions for 37 yards and a tackle, and Marvin Session, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound receiver, had one catch for 6 yards. Dyson Parker returned a kickoff 20 yards, and Henry Way, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound punter, punted twice for 95 yards. David Dellenbach made a field goal and kicked extra points.

Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood, a 6-foot-2, 202-pound Graham, Wash., native, completed 32 of 50 passes for 383 yards and rushed 13 times for 52 yards while accounting for four touchdowns. Tony Harste caught six passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Gus Donnerberg, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound tight end, had eight receptions for 91 yards and a tackle. Nolan McWilliams, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound receiver, added five catches for 60 yards. Ryan Jezioro, a 6-foot-3, 202-pound receiver, had two receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. Noah West-Baranco caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown. Zack Card, a 5-foot-9, 156-pound receiver, added a 32-yard reception. Lonyatta Alexander Jr., a 6-foot-1, 200-pound receiver, had a 4-yard catch, and Chance Bogan, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound tight end, had a catch for minus-2 yards.

Damonte Bias rushed eight times for 25 yards and caught three passes for 30 yards for Idaho. Hayden Kincheloe, a 5-foot-10, 235-pound tight end, had seven carries for 28 yards, two receptions for 19 yards and a tackle. Ferrari Miller had a 13-yard run and a 4-yard catch. Israel Carter, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound quarterback, ran three times for 4 yards, and P.J. Blanchard, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound defensive back, had a 2-yard run. Cameron Pope, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound kicker, punted once for 23 yards. Trais Higgins, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound receiver, returned three kickoffs for 76 yards.

Weber State’s defense got a standout game from Trevian Tribble, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound safety, who had five tackles and two interceptions. Tommy Romano, a 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back, and Raimoana Tinirauarii, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker, each made 10 tackles. Denzel Peoples had eight tackles. Teni Worthen had seven tackles and two quarterback hurries. Tre Turner had six tackles, and Porter Small, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive end, and Da’Veon Ross each finished with five. Jayden Mayberry had four tackles. Zion Finau, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound tackle, had three tackles and a sack. Tamal Johnson, a 6-foot, 180-pound safety, had three tackles. Will Cornelson, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker, and Kevin Johnson, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound tackle, each had two. Chevy Robinson, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end, had two tackles and a quarterback hurry. Mapa Vaenuku, Ashden Oberg, La’akea Kalama, Tevita Paongo and Pierre Hunter each had one tackle.

Idaho’s Cruz Hepburn, a 6-foot-1, 218-pound linebacker, led the Vandals with eight tackles. Hikifo’Ou Maile had three tackles and Ma’ake Apo, a 6-foot-4, 340-pound defensive lineman, had one. Owen Forsman missed field goals from 40, 36 and 37 yards. Cameron Pope handled one punt for 23 yards, and Trais Higgins returned three kickoffs for 76 yards.

The Wildcats opened the scoring when Ferguson ran right 75 yards for a touchdown. After an Idaho field-goal miss, Rigtrup scored on a 6-yard run. Idaho got on the board in the second quarter when Wood found West-Baranco for a 19-yard touchdown. Forsman missed a 36-yard field goal before halftime. In the third quarter, David Dellenbach made a 25-yard field goal for Weber State, but Idaho answered when Wood connected with Harste on a 39-yard touchdown pass. Idaho’s Forsman also missed a 37-yard field goal in the third.

Weber State stretched its lead in the fourth when Dahle hit Kjar for a 14-yard touchdown. Idaho responded with Wood’s 13-yard scoring pass to Jezioro. Rigtrup then broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run, and Ferguson added a 2-yard scoring run. Wood’s late 4-yard touchdown pass to McWilliams was nullified by a pass interference penalty against Idaho. The Wildcats finished with 38 points, and the Vandals had 27.

Idaho had lost to Cal Poly, Utah, Lamar and Abilene Christian before edging Montana State. Weber State had beaten Northern Colorado, lost to Southern Utah and Colorado, beaten Northwestern State, lost to Portland State and won at Cal Poly. The win moved Weber State to 4-3 and kept the Wildcats in the mix in the NCAA Football Championship Division. Idaho dropped to 1-5. Weber State will host Idaho State next, while Idaho will visit Montana. The Wildcats’ upcoming schedule also includes a trip to Montana State, a home game against UC Davis, a road game at Northern Arizona and a home game against Utah Tech. The Vandals’ upcoming schedule includes home games against Southern Utah, Eastern Washington and UC Davis and road games at Portland State and Idaho State.

Interstat’s game simulator projected Weber State 49, Idaho 43. Interstat’s ELO system gave Weber State a 65.8 percent probability to win. Weber State was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 65 went over the over/under line of 69.5.