Duckworth paces Idaho to 28-6 win over Sacramento State (Aug 31, 2017)
MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) Aaron Duckworth rolled up 191 all-purpose yards and Matt Linehan threw for two touchdowns as Idaho opened the season with a 28-6 victory over Sacramento State on Thursday night.
Duckworth finished with 142 yards rushing and 49 receiving while Linehan was 14 of 19 for 163 yards, but also threw two interceptions.
Idaho had only 24 yards offense in the first quarter but finished with 356 in running its win streak to six, its longest since 1994.
The Vandals scored twice for a 14-6 halftime lead, though it turned the ball over three times and its rebuilt offensive line gave up all four Hornets sacks during the half.
Linehan threw 8 yards to Jacob Sannon for the Vandals' first touchdown, finishing a drive that included a 49-yard pass play to Duckworth. On Idaho's next drive, Linehan threw a 35-yard score to Reuben Mwehla.
Sacramento State's Devon Medeiros provided the Hornets' only points with two first-half field goals, including a 52-yarder that was a yard short of the school record set in 1998.
Defensive lineman DJ Henderson joined the Idaho backfield on fourth down and covered the final yard of a 60-yard drive for a 21-6 lead in the third quarter. Duckworth had a 28-yard run on the drive.
Duckworth made it 28-6 with an 18-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
Idaho is playing its final season of FBS football before heading for the FCS Big Sky Conference, of which Sacramento State is a member.