Vandals fall 21-20 at Virginia in OT

THE VANDAL DEFENSE BATTLED THROUGH ADVERSITY SATURDAY AT VIRGINIA, holding the Cavaliers to 14-points in regulation and forcing three turnovers. Idaho's special teams also came up big, including the second career blocked punt by Lapwai product Justin Hernandez, which was scooped up by Daniel Micheletti (of Meridian) for a Vandal TD. A missed UI 2-pt conversion was the difference in OT.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

Quayshawne Buckley - Heralded defensive tackle recruit Quayshawne Buckley (6-4, 292, Soph), who signed originally with Washington State and transferred to Idaho last year, made his first start of the 2011 season against Virginia and was impressive. For the game Buckley led all Vandal defensive linemen with six tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack (11 yards) on the afternoon. To top off the performance, in the fourth quarter Buckley blocked a Virginia field goal attempt that kept the Cavaliers lead at 14-6 (Idaho would block a punt later in the fourth quarter that was returned for a score, followed by a 2-point conversion to tie the game and send the teams into overtime).

Justin Hernandez - For the second year in a row, Lapwai (Ida.) High School product Justin Hernandez blocked a punt, and in both cases the block resulted in an Idaho TD. Saturday at Virginia, Hernandez's block was scooped by fellow Idahoan Daniel Micheletti (Mountain View High School) and returned four yards for a score. Idaho scored on a two point conversion, knotting the score at 14-14 and propelling the game into overtime. Last year, Hernandez blocked a punt at Western Michigan which he recovered in the endzone for an Idaho touchdown that propelled the Vandals to victory.


GAME SUMMARIES

LINK: IDAHO OFFICIAL SITE game story (stats and game book)

LINK: IDAHO OFFICIAL SITE Photo Gallery

LINK: Virginia survives scare from Idaho (The Roanoke Times)

LINK: UVA Football Team Edges Idaho 21-20 in OT (NBC29.com)

LINK: Virginia sneaks past Vandals