MOSCOW, Idaho (Interstat) — Joshua Wood accounted for three touchdowns and Idaho survived a late Montana State push to beat the visiting Bobcats 35-34 in an NCAA Football Championship Division game Friday at Kibbie Dome. The Vandals improved to 1-4, while Montana State fell to 5-1. Idaho’s win came against a Montana State team that had been undefeated and had controlled much of the first half. Wood, a quarterback from Graham, Washington, completed 19 of 25 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns and added 15 carries for 41 yards and another score. His favorite target, Ryan Jezioro, caught six passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Montana State quarterback Patrick Duchien threw for 249 yards and two scores and ran for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Montana State opened with a methodical drive and took an early lead on Myles Sansted’s 21-yard field goal. The Bobcats’ advantage lasted only seconds. On Idaho’s first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, Wood connected with Jezioro on a deep pass down the left side. Jezioro caught the ball near the Montana State 32, broke free and completed a 75-yard touchdown. Owen Forsman’s extra point put the Vandals in front. Montana State answered later in the opening quarter when Duchien found Carter Dahlke on a deep throw to the right. Dahlke caught the pass at the goal line for a 20-yard score, and Sansted’s kick gave the Bobcats the lead again.

The second quarter turned into an exchange of field goals and touchdowns. Forsman made field goals from 45 and 22 yards to pull Idaho even and then ahead. Montana State responded with a big play on the ground when Jared White ran 32 yards up the middle for a touchdown. Idaho answered with Damonte Bias, who rushed left for a 15-yard score. Montana State regained the lead just before halftime when Duchien hit Dane Steel on a short middle pass that went 15 yards for a touchdown. Sansted missed a 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half, leaving the Bobcats with a four-point edge at the break.

Montana State extended its lead in the third quarter on Sansted’s 26-yard field goal. But Idaho’s offense kept pressure on the Bobcats with Wood spreading the ball to Jezioro, Tony Harste, Noah West-Baranco and others. Jezioro’s size and hands created problems for Montana State’s secondary, and his second touchdown catch helped Idaho climb back into the game. The Vandals also got a steady defensive effort from Cruz Hepburn, who finished with 13 tackles, and Zach Wusstig, who had 11 stops. Ryder Bordner and Luca Moore each added seven tackles, while Nikko Speer, Luke Teskey and Mika Roberson each finished with six. Idaho’s defense bent but made enough plays to keep the game within reach.

Montana State’s offense remained productive behind Duchien, who hurt Idaho with both his arm and his legs. Duchien completed 23 of 32 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 14 times for 92 yards and a score. Carter Dahlke was his top target with 10 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. Dane Steel added five catches for 70 yards and a score, while Jared White contributed 48 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Cale Breslin added 19 rushing yards, and Parker Mady had two catches for 15 yards. The Bobcats also got a 29-yard punt return from Dahlke, who finished with 126 receiving yards and a score. Montana State’s special teams had mixed results, as Sansted made key kicks but also missed from long range. Colby Frokjer punted three times for 135 yards.

Idaho’s winning sequence arrived in the fourth quarter. After Montana State scored on Duchien’s 2-yard touchdown run to the right, Wood answered with a 1-yard scoring run up the middle. Forsman’s extra point gave Idaho the final margin. The Vandals’ defense then needed one last stop. Montana State drove into position for a potential go-ahead kick, but Sansted’s 52-yard field goal attempt with 3:22 remaining was no good. The Bobcats had one more chance but could not convert. Idaho ran out the clock and celebrated a one-point victory at the Kibbie Dome.

Montana State’s defense was led by Colter Petre’s eight tackles. Zac Crews had six tackles and one sack, JJ Dolan added six tackles, and Cole Taylor finished with five. Xavier Ahrens, Zack Black and Taki Uluilakepa each had four tackles. Neil Daily recorded three tackles and an interception, while Bryce Grebe and Tayden Gray each had three stops. Brian Harris added two tackles and a sack. The Bobcats also got tackles from Talon Marsh, Kory Boyd, Gianni Edwards, Shanko Kornachuk, Luke Oxarart, Graysen Schneider, Seth Brock, Hudson Wiens, Vinnie Souza and Blaine Downing. Downing also recorded a quarterback hurry. Jabez Woods returned two kickoffs for 53 yards. For Idaho, Nolan McWilliams had one catch for 24 yards and one tackle. Lonyatta Alexander Jr. caught one pass for 17 yards, Zack Card had one catch for 32 yards, and Noah West-Baranco made four catches for 34 yards. Tony Harste ran twice for 4 yards, caught five passes for 66 yards and returned two punts for 41 yards. Israel Carter had two rushes for 13 yards.

The loss ended a perfect start for Montana State, which had won its first five games of the season. The Bobcats had beaten Utah Tech, Butler, Nevada, Central Connecticut and Northern Arizona before Friday. Idaho had entered the game still seeking its first win after losses to Cal Poly, Utah, Lamar and Abilene Christian. The Vandals’ victory gave them momentum in conference play. Montana State will look to bounce back on the road, while Idaho will try to build on its first win.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Montana State 49, Idaho 29, and Interstat’s ELO system gave Montana State a 93.9 percent probability to win. Idaho had been installed as the pregame favorite with a spread of -14.5. The total score of 69 went under the over/under line of 57.5.