2023 NCAA FCS Championship Quarterfinal - UAlbany vs Idaho

[Music] it's vwe on ESPN as we continue Jim valvano's fight against cancer us your teamm your coaches okay we know what we got to do with this day okay we are ready okay we got to play for beers tonight okay beers all right attack this team only thing I want you to worry about they doing your job okay encouraging your teammates and kicking their ass let's go every time we get offense control the ball man punish their ass okay defense I'm scking here to their defense get after their ass dominate that old I every quarterback and we are the best special teams group of the nation prove it every play man okay hey I know we believe okay we stared this season in the face last week and came out stronger than the other side believe all game I told you I got my bags packed already go leave on 1 2 3 Idaho coach Jason EK is fired up and thousands more inside the P1 FCU kibi Dome R2 we close out the quarterfinal round in the FCS playoffs with the four seed and the five seed Idaho from the Big Sky you Albany champions from the CAA and Santa's here too the winner of this one is headed to Brookings to face defending national champion South Dakota State the Jack Rapids endured the howling wind at home to send Villanova packing Montana North Dakota state in the other semi-final and hi there and welcome inside the Kibby Dome along with the winningest quarterback in rice history Taylor mcar I'm Ted you got to love FCS after dark we had it last night in Missoula we had it here last week Idaho Eed by Southern Illinois they know they need more from their offense defense this week and that starts with quarterback javanni McCoy it was a slow start last week for javanni McCoy in this offense Southern Illinois did a nice job getting after the quarterback three sacks finally found some completions in that second half but a key here today early down completions and moving the pocket because on the other side two-headed monster in pass rush between AJ diamond and Anton junj 26 and a half sacks combined between these two and that's the key in this game you albony trying to get after the quarterback and on the other side javanni McCoy and this offense staying on script there is no defense that ws havoc in the FCS like you aliny and we will see the Idaho offense against the Great Dan defense right from the jump Idaho winning the toss and the vandals want the football Germaine Jackson who turned the game last week with a punt return for a touchdown is back deep for the vandals and here he comes Jackson the sixthe senior finding a crease and Jackson is past Midfield Germaine Jackson sparking Idaho again a 56 yd return to open things up heard it from head coach Jason e just a moment ago thinks he has the best special teams unit in all of FCS football and on display in the opening kickoff well blocked just like we saw a week ago with that pun return that got Idaho going right off the bat setting the vandals up on the other side in plus territory so here comes McCoy in the offense for Idaho with incredible field position at the 44 of you Albany McCoy First Team all Big Sky this year he was under pressure a ton last week and he figures to see more of the same this week it's a screen for Jackson and Jackson picks up four on first down another staple of this offense trying to get the ball out of your quarterback's hands and javanni McCoy see the efficiency there this was the most efficient quarterback in the Big Sky Conference a big part of that is their screen game they go to it on first down for an easy completion Taylor I thought it was interesting Jason e told us he thought his offense could have played harder last week against Southern Illinois he's looking for more effort especially up [Applause] front Aiden kapic is in at left tackle remember got injured in the first half last week didn't return and the first completion to Hayden Hatton the allamerican picks up 11 it's another first down and Vandal fans will be happy to see him getting touches early was a slow start for Hayden Hatt in a week ago really most of his production came in the second half speed out to the field again for this vandals offense important to get him going early Touches for the All-American had only one catch in the first half last week against the the Salukis still ended up with more than 100 yds receiving you see his numbers for the season first down inside the 30 getting to the edge Anthony Woods cannot turn the corner Isaac Duffy the NC State transfer making the tackle no gain on the play and Anthony Woods has to bounce this just watch eight right in the middle AJ Simon doesn't make this play but he forces Anthony Woods to bounce this to the outside and then you see the great Dan's Pursuit that's team defense early from U Albany great Dan's coaches think that Duffy is really the unsung hero of the defense the native of Bingington lot of Pub goes to Simon and Jun kaj the defensive ends in for good reason but Duffy has been excellent as a sixth year senior Jake Cox the tight end is in motion McCoy on the roll out getting away from AJ Simon and and trying to hook up with Hatton out of bounds incomplete so it's third and 10 here's some of the Sprint out that we expected from this offense we'll see if Hayden's able to tow drag that right foot not quite was really close he thought he was able to maintain possession and keep that right foot in bounds he's calling for the sideline to run it back and take a look at this that was closer on the replay than I thought in real time remember Idaho fans certainly wanted to review in overtime last week on an Anthony Woods potential touchdown one more look here gosh I think that toe is dragging out of bounds by the time he secures it third and 10 screen for woods and he's chopped down really nice job the Yale transfer Brian Abraham sheds his block makes the tackle to get his defense off the field and a couple times early you're seeing that pass Rush influence early javanni McCoy having to get the ball out of his hands in a hurry with good field position that was set up by that kick return for Idaho Great Danes fortunate get their defense off the field with a field goal attempt cardo Chavez one of the best kickers in the FCS the hero from last week had the gamewinner from 29 yards in overtime this from 45 to start the scoring and Chavez has no good wide left timeout media just his third Miss of the season and we scoreless in [Music] Moscow you Albany quarterback ree pener leads the nation with 33 touchdown passes Greg kuso is coach say says he's a cowboy he's a gunslinger he wants to take shots lives on the perimeter wants to run the football as well and when he takes off to run the football has no problem leaning into the secondary trying to pick up those physical yards at the point of contact he's a guy that you could tell his teammates rally around love him as a quarterback for this great D's offense finalist for the Walter Payton award the FCS offensive player of the year this season and on first down it's Roy Alexander underneath breaking a tackle and Alexander working up close to the 35 he's been ramping back up Taylor this is his third game back from an injury he suffered in week two and offensive coordinator Jared Ambrose says he is our Deo SEL says he does everything for us multiple package guy you'll see him summon the Wildcat as well taking another look at ree pen barger's numbers came on strong late in the year as well has done everything for this offense Jared Ambrose the U Alban offensive coordinator says our offense feels invincible with poen Barker he's a Vibes guy just radiates confidence second and four first touch for Griffin woodell hit in the back field and dropped Matias Bertram the linebacker brings him down a loss of a yard Matias Bertram head up against Ian reneger Ian reneger 87 6'5 254 lbs Maas Bertram runs right through him to blow this play up that's a physical play from the linebacker spot from beas Bertram Bertram transfer from New Mexico he arrived at Idaho as a walk- on before earning a scholarship third and five for the great danses hoffen barer swings it to woodell got to make a lot of people Miss can't do it against the sixthe senior line linebacker Trey Thomas a loss of five and you ALB he has to punt Idaho goes manfree man defense underneath there's a stunt inside Reese pen barer recognizes has to get rid of the ball quickly and a nice job by Trey Thomas in the right spot settles himself makes the open field tackle and forces a three and [Applause] out so you Albany can't take advantage after the missed field goal and do you really want a punt to Germaine Jackson he has returned turned punts for touchdowns in each of the vandals last two games let's see what Tyler Pastula does Jackson will have an opportunity from the 25 and Jackson taken down just shy of the 35 48- yd Punt and a seven yd return Taylor your keys for Idaho tonight I think finding some of they've got to be able to get on the perimeter you've seen some of it early rolling the pocket trying to get javanni McCoy to the outside you saw a little bit of that on the first possession along with screen plays on the defensive side makeu ALB onedimensional they want to try and force Reese pfin barer to stay in the pocket deliver the ball down the field take away the Run game specifically with Griffin woodell the idah coach has told us we got to get some explosive plays I don't know if we can drive consistently against this defense McCoy hits to run Ivy Jor the explosive tight end and Wheeling into U Albany territory knocked out at the 36 by ory Jean Charles 31 yds teron Ivy is the pass catching tight end another bootleg set up over the middle of the pocket and then working teron Ivy from right to left see javanni McCoy having to work to his left because of a protection break up front and how accurate he is working opposite that's a tough throw for a right-handed quarterback still displaying that accuracy Vandal coaches wanted explosive plays there's one right there to start the [Applause] [Music] drive Nick Romano is in at running back McCoy airs it out for Jordan D it's a touchdown a bullet from javanni McCoy and the vandals lead missed this in the first half a week ago those explosives that you just talked about Ted play action is protected well up front they find Jordan DWI on the post and this is all set up again by this offensive line that was challenged by head coach Jason X said he wanted to see them strain more great protection up front an accurate throw from javanni McCoy get our first points of the game and Chavez knocks in the extra point you want explosive plays if you're Idaho you got the backto back 30yd passes the last one to drer for six the red shirt freshman putting his fingerprints in this quarterfinal matchup in Moscow welcome back to Moscow touchdown just a moment ago javanni McCoy is working this post Jordan dwire and you see the free safety number 19 Isaac Duffy he moved too far to his right side opened up the lane for that post route to Jordan dwire and that is the explosive play of this offensive staff head coach Jason Eck and offensive coordinator Luke schlier talked to us about got to find those plays early mandal fans will be happy to see that connection early in this game on the second Drive last week in the second second round against Southern Illinois Idaho didn't lead until the game was over and here they start quick up 7 nothing in the [Music] first Logan Prescott the senior to kick away for Idaho winner of this one will meet South Dakota State winners of 27 in a row after they beat Villanova earlier today in Brookings all right so what about you Alban's keys today well on the offensive side they've got to create the explosives as they know they've got to match what Idaho has done historically you've already seen a good example of it a moment ago on the other side for the defense make javanni McCoy uncomfortable they've got to lean on their pass rush AJ Simon Anton junkai get after the quarterback move him off his spot and on the offensive side cannot have three and outs come out on their first possession three quick plays your defense back on the field sustained Drive and hitting those explosives some of the keys for the Great Danes see Greg cuso coaching his 10th year loves having poen Barker as his quarterback the runner up for the Jerry Rice award National freshman of the year to javanni McCoy last season flag is down as poppen Barger connects with Roy Alexander but will this stand it's a 22 yd gain came from the field judge on the Albany bench typically means some sort of procedure penalty maybe off sides Idaho Marcel cerr is our referee illegal formation offense five players in the back field 5 y penalty repeat first down Breo is saying are you kidding me and that's a back breaker first down really accurate pass on the corner R to Roy Alexander instead backed up this crowd in the Kibby doome starting to get [Applause] [Music] active somehow last week in the second round of the playoffs it was the worst crowd of the season for Idaho you'd never know it by how they sounded just 9,000 capacity here is 16,000 there are more people here tonight first and 15 and poin Barker right back to Alexander for a much shorter game five yds this time and it makes up that penalty yardage that's the third target early in this game to Roy Alexander just a spot route this is where penb penb is going with the ball the entire time but you can tell there is a concerted effort early in this game to get Roy Alexander involved the coaches thought that Alexander was done for the season when he got hurt in week two against Marshall came back late in the regular season they've given him more and more snaps and he has been an early contributor here [Applause] tonight po Barker into the flat for wedell breaks a tackle from Marcus Harris and woodell close to the sticks he's got the first down across the 35 Harris had a chance and just whiffed and a great job making Harris Miss in the open field a subtle little move extends that from instead of a three or four yard completion ends up this ends up being a first down good job by pen barer working through his progression get it to the check down that is a great job from The Freshman Griffin woodell woodell the offensive Rookie of the Year in the ca this season hoffen Barker Wings it deep he wants bran Easton he's got him it's a touchdown a rocket from reys puffen barer 64 yds he hit the post route on the other side and Pen barer says I can match that the cowboy getting his guys fired up this is an unbelievable throw having to work to his left airs this out unbelievable play and concentration from brevan Easton John opalco from the extra point got to watch out if you're in that camber Bay here at the kibi Dome just beyond the end zone more unique in college football well for brevan Easton it's his eighth consecutive game with a touchdown he has 10 of them in that span and we tied some of the scenes from light up night here in Moscow holiday tradition this was on Thursday our producer John Wilson was the Grand Marshall he stayed here all week after working the second round game last weekend we are tied at seven yep Santa buddy the Elf and whoever that is we've got a track meet little more offense than the Kibby doome saw a week ago both of these shot plays hit on post routes over the top we knew explosive plays for both of these offenses how key they would be after slow start start S on first possessions for both sides hit those chunk plays for touchdowns over the top rard freshman Tyler pooie sends it away for U Albany and he wants nothing to do with Jackson but that's going to draw flag yeah I mean I understand you don't want to kick to him but you can't kick it out of [Applause] bounds let's go back to the touchdown for you Albany there's a protection Breakdown off at the right side Reese pen barer has to work up move into the middle of the pocket to his left and for a quarterback kick off out of bound really difficult throw working to your left having to throw that post route that's working repeat the free kick down away from you and then again the concentration for brevan Easton as we'll get a another look yeah Idaho says yeah kick it to us again try to avoid Jackson One More Time understand keeping it away from Germaine Jackson but still do not advise kicking it out of bounds two time all conference kick return man Jackson in his career here at Idaho transferred from the College of San Mato native of Oakland we talked to them this week he says he loves the first rule of the return game just make that first man miss and he does that so often that's right is explosive and that it's blocked well you saw it a week ago with the punt and the opening kickoff special teams and here's the popup and one of the upbs taking it fair Catch and here comes javanni McCoy and the Idaho offense again mentioned that McCoy and poffenberger finished onew in the voting for The Jerry Rice award the FCS freshman of the year last season and both are off to Sharp starts I think one of the things that stands out when you watch these guys both of them do such a nice job Off Script as well they do a great job in the framework of the offense but when things break down and they have to move outside the pocket you saw it especially a week ago with pfin barer and their win over Richmond Idaho last week earning their first FCS playoff win in 30 years in 1993 they went to the semi-finals trying to get there again McCoy over the top and Hayden Hatton has it at Midfield a first down for the vandals Larry Walker Jr brings him down pick up of 20 a delicate little throw he's got to work this over middle linebacker Dylan Kelly number 42 watch right off the seam he's got to get that over the linebacker that is a really difficult throw and puts again the accuracy on display that we've come to know from javanni McCoy [Music] [Applause] [Music] Boy again up top and can't connect with Hatton this time Amir Hall First Team all CAA Corner was in coverage crowd here in the kib dome I think they wanted a flag there I thought this was great coverage on the back end but Hayden Hatton Vandal fans will be happy to see him getting these targets early you see where he Stacks up thing that jumps out as catch radius for him and you could see gavan McCoy trying to put that ball right at the top of his helmet you'll see back shoulder Fades to him as well the throw it over the top screen game catch radius allows for him a lot of different types of throws available to Hayden Hatton he said last week he can count the number of drops in his career on one hand Woods Twisted down at the line of scrimmage by Joseph greeny the nose guard loss of a yard for all the love AJ Simon and on Jun Kai get Joseph greeney flashes as well had the fourth fumble a week ago see him win on the inside sets up long third down here for the vandals and Idaho was in this situation a bunch last week they were just four of 13 against Southern Illinois greeny the quintessential New England tough guy in the words of defensive coordinator Bill Nestle third and 11 for [Applause] Idaho [Music] McCoy skips it in incomplete for Hatton trying to come back to the football and it's Fourth Down Idaho to [Applause] punt oh look I think there is a flag down didn't see it in the course of the play and see it down here it's on the U Al sideline side again a little bit of drawing going on the end of that play get the call here after the play on Sportsman like conduct offense number zero his first 15 yd penalty fourth down wow that's on the veteran receiver terz trainer and that certainly affects field position with Ricardo Chavez lining up to Pont and Chason e is of course having a conversation with trainer yeah and that's a killer Ted cuz with this ball closer to Midfield had an opportunity Idaho did to try and pin you Albany instead that's valuable field position given up there so Chavez handles both the kicking and the punting kicks with his right punts with his left foot Levi Wentz back deep and the ball lands in front of Wentz he was calling for the fair catch now did this touch him that's the question Idaho runs it in for the touchdown but it's going to be ruled down just inside the 20 as the ball bounced in front of Wentz and skittered let's take another [Applause] look called on the field blown dead that he did not touch the ball see from this angle I don't think there's anything there that shows us the ruling on the field is the punt was first touched by the kicking team it is first down for Albany and because of that that ball the way it was rolling I think there was yards given up ball probably rolls out another 5 or 10 yards another break for Albany so the Great Danes have it at their own 18 they're going to take close on the field is the ball was first touched by the kicking team that ruling is under further review okay then take that closer look so the biggest thing here obviously is that it was ruled first touched by Idaho on the field so is there conclusive evidence to overturn this I don't think there is on that angle the inzone angle as well this angle I'm still not certain if there's anything here much off of his right side don't see that ball deflect off or change trajectory at all I think this call likely stands based on the call on the field you need something that is clear and obvious with those angles and we'll continue to look at them just like the officials are you need something that is indisputable to overturn this call on the field and for the way this plays out you really would look to see that ball Ricochet at all does it change trajectory especially here I don't see anything really would overturn that again we imagine this call stands remain you all ball after review the ruling on the field stands it is first down for [Applause] Albany so the Great Danes have it back just struck with the 64 yd touchdown from coffen Barger to Easton got the stop on defense and they open up it at the [Applause] 18 hoffen Barker lasers it caught in stride and Julian Hicks takes it down to the 45 Marcus Harris rides him down a completion of 27 good play action bringing Ian reneger the tight end walking him down brings down those Defenders and then easy pitch and catch slant into the boundary to Julian Hicks gets this out close to midfield for the great danses both Hicks and brevan Easton were second Team all CAA virtually similar numbers this season top two Targets for ree pen Barker now on the delay woodell up the gut and the face mask is obvious as Five Flags are thrown Trey Thomas reaching in for a handful it's a gain of 12 and he can tack on 15 personal foul face mask Defense number 21 15 yds added to the end of the Run automatic first down you know this crew is on top of it cuz these came out in unison five for five this is easy call right here see Griffin woodell get that head turned halfway around and now just like that great DS well into Idaho territory now at the 29 of the Vandals woodell the former walk-on who didn't play last year in his Redshirt season behind pfin Barker give it to him again to the edge and he can't turn the corner Bertram sweeps the leg big loss on the play that's the second time we've seen Maas Bertram flash like that gets bounced to the right side there's good penetration up front from the vandals interior defensive line there you see Bertram rallying to the ball carrier for a big tackle for loss now Bertram was a free safety last year for Idaho he moved down the linebacker he can cover a lot of ground and does everything for this defense you'll see him play half coverage in the back end and then also Blitz the a gap really versatile mobile guy hoffen Barker and it's dropped by Alexander diving attempt for the Junior from Fort Meers Florida third and 15 another Target to Roy Alexander this time on the Deep out to the field this is a tough throw but F re pener he'll be the first to tell you he's got to get this ball up a little bit he's more than capable that time just a little bit inaccurate and on the other side Roy Alexander that's usually a ball he comes down with neither team has converted on third down yet Jason wants it louder here in the Kibby Dome Great Dane need 15 hoffen barer the side step and he throws it in the dirt Dallas Offa laava applying the pressure and it's fourth down for you albony and Idaho's bench calling for intentional groundings not going to get it trying to Target Griffin wood on the screen pass nice job by the full defense sniffing that out Dallas alava not fooled at all and after a couple quick chunk plays and the penalty great D's move into Idaho territory nice job by that vandals defense stiffening up forcing the field goal attempt wow from 51 yards for John opalco his career long is 46 he's 12 of 16 this year out of the hold of Pastula and this had no chance so Chavez missed one for Idaho to start things off now opalco misses from long distance and we're still even and it's the spot on the field that's no man's land from 34 yd line you keep your offense out there for a fourth and 15 you try and give your kicker an opportunity for it by far what would have been his long for the Year this comes up well short lands Midway in the end zone but again that's that twer spot on the field do you to put your punt team out there from the 34 Yard Line Idaho now pretty good field position to start this drive now from the 34 here late in the first quarter the last quarterfinal near in the FCS Playoffs today winner to play South Dakota State McCoy to Germaine Jackson and another explosive play for the Vandal offense inside the Great Danes 40 you can see Javan McCoy saying he wants Tempo Idaho getting back on the ball Corner route to the field this is the second time they've hit on this route good accurate throw and Idaho told us they wanted to go Tempo U alony does not rotate a lot we're seeing some here early idah is a team that usually huddles as rare as that is in college football McCoy hooks up with Hatton this time and taken down at the 31 by Mitchell Lucien eight yds there looks like Aiden kaic the left tackle down on the field an injury to a player on offense kapic went down late in the first half last week against Southern Illinois he got rolled up on he was questionable coming in didn't practice until Thursday but Jason e we talked to him yesterday it walked through felt good about how kapic looked and kapic is back down look left tackle up to the top of the screen not sure the way he went down I didn't see anybody roll up under him they triy to stay in front of Anton Jun kaj one of the Premier pass rushers in the FCS and so kapic ailing again last week the answer for Idaho was moving a Christian from Right Guard to left tackle and plugging in GIS at Right Guard and that's what they told us if Aiden kapic couldn't go that's exactly what would happen see as the vandals offense comes back on out on the field do wec 71 slide over to Right Guard looks like that's exactly what happened and ab Christensen will now move over to left [Applause] tackle so far it has been all javanni McCoy 139 yd passing Idaho as netive one yd rushing as a team in this first quarter DWI on the gadget Play and he's knocked down by Larry Walker Jr LW of two and Idaho tried this a week ago it caused a fumble this time there's not a fumble but a mere Hall from The Corner Spot stays home to blow this play up that's the piece from the The Corner Spot if he travels with that Pursuit and doesn't stay home that opens up for a big play because he stayed home forces a third down yeah last week dwire couldn't handle the flip back as he was coming around and Southern Illinois recovered it third and four mandles 0 of two on third down tonight a pressure look here from you Allman he we'll see if they bring it or bail out and it's a run for Woods he's got the first down and woods to the 20yd line a stiff bar for Walker 14 yds for the leading rusher in the Big Sky this season and they test that left side of the offensive line a nice job by Abe Christensen and that left side edge is not sealed from you alony good carry from Anthony Woods picking up that first [Applause] down woods again and plowing for three more it was another thing when we talked to javanni McCoy he said look we struggled last week not getting to second and third and manageable way too often we were behind the sticks really poor on first down I think so far in this game Ido has done a decent job staying ahead of the sticks getting to that third and short well when Ido has the ball inside the 20 it's strength versus strength 92% of the time when they get in the Red Zone Come Away with points the challenge offensive coordinator Luke schner said want to be more physical in the tight red inside the 5 ydd line [Applause] McCoy back shoulder a bubble and a catch no incomplete trainer wanted it a flag is down air Hull was there defensively this is going to be offensive pass interference pass interference Defense number zero 15yd penalty from the previous spot replay second down and our referee Marcel Kerr said defense it's going it's actually going on offense to TZ trainer watch right here it's that arm extended that left arm I do think he came down with that ball I think he caught it wiped away and now pushes Idaho back on the other side of the 30 yd line [Applause] so second and 22 for the vandals and Jack Lane is in the game the backup quarterback along with McCoy was split out the screen doesn't work looking for Germaine Jackson Jack Lane active especially couple weeks ago saw him in it's a game with Weber State obviously Idaho State when jaavan McCoy did not play but that is a guy that they will get significant snaps in this offense from the backup quarterback spot so third and 22 for the vandals the offensive pass interference pushing Idaho back Nick Romano is in at running back U Albany brings four McCoy gets romano and driven Down by Brian Abraham after a G of four Abraham the grad transfer from Yale he started his career as a corner and now he's playing off the edge for you Albany Brian Abraham is another guy one of the unsung heroes of this defense Simon and junos get so much attention good job rallying to the football and for Idaho those were important yards get this to a more manageable field goal for Ricardo Chavez he missed from 45 on the first possession can he hit from 45 here late the [Music] corner and Chavez is perfect this time Idaho moves on [Applause] top how important were those five yards on the check down on third down I'm not sure that ball has the leg if that check down to Nick Romano doesn't happen on third down instead Idaho reclaims the lead now Idaho will take points after they had moved it inside the Red Zone the offensive pass interference set them back and this had just enough gas to make it over the crossbar no go post here at the Kippy Dome there's not enough room Beyond The End Zone and so those uprights are attached to the walls this has been a dream season for Idaho top four seed first home playoff games in three decades or spent 22 years in the FBS was a rough time at that level averaged under four wins per season but they have new life in the FCS under Jason e their head coach here's Wentz on the return and he can't make it to the 20 [Applause] well a little bandal's football history for you this program had such a proud run in the 80s and 90s in the old onea the FCS last time that they had a home playoff game at this level was 1993 they went onto the semi-finals that year joined the FBS in 96 they spent times in three conferences won three bowl games but that was really the only success ESS in the 22 years they were the first team to voluntarily drop down to the FCS otherwise they would have been an independent at the FBS level and here they are making backto back playoff appearances Poppin Barker to wedell and Trey Thomas spins him down a loss of five on the play more man defense from Idaho and same thing Trey Thomas in the right spot for another open field tackle that's a guy every time he flashes on tape very rarely do you see him with a missed assignment tends to be in the right spot and is a sure-handed tackler and that brings us to the end of the first that is the end of the first quarter here at the P1 FCU kiby Dome fired up again four versus five in the quarterfinals and it's Idaho with the lead [Music] U Albany won its first ever championship in the coastal Athletic Association this year they shared it with Villanova and Richmond but the Great Danes beat both of those teams this season Greg cuso leading one of the biggest turnarounds in division one college football this season South Dakota which saw it season end earlier today against North Dakota State both going from three wins to 10 this year you see Northwestern South Florida at the FBA level one win to bowl eligibility this year you Albany played a lot of close games Taylor a year ago and this year they started to win those kinds of games and they're in another one here in the FCS quarterfinals start the second with reys poffenberger and brev Easton who has the touchdown for the Great Danes Easton Out of Bounds at the 35 coffen barer could feel the pocket collapsing on him does a nice job getting this ball out that was an anticipation puts this out to the sideline even though this is a field out he really throws it more like a corner let brevan Easton run underneath it Easton had the 64 yd touchdown in the first quarter fastest player on the team coaches say he's like the golden retriever who plays Fetch with puffen Barker play clock running low woodell met in the hole by xri Alexander there's a flag down on the far side of the field gain of a [Applause] yard again illegal shift on U Albany illegal shift offense two in moving without resetting that penalty a declined second down and that's the trouble with checking a play they look back to the sideline tried to get in a different look but with that play clock winding down you're going to move two guys at the same time have to make sure that they're set you can see pen Barger clapping there at the end trying to get that snap off weren't able to in time and Idaho takes the result of the play just a Oney gain instead of accepting the penalty so second and nine for the Great Danes hoffen Barker fires and it's caught and out across the 45 with a first down 13 yds for Maris Deets Deets a high school quarterback does a nice job finding the soft spot in the zone and for pen barer waiting saw that Defender Flash show hands in the air a nice job for pen Barger waiting for Deets to get into that second window pen barer and Deets are on the scout team to together at Old Dominion a couple of years ago and quite the chemistry here at U Albany woodell met right at the line no gain for Griffin woodell Dwayne McDougall one of the first to hit him Idaho's doing a fantastic job right now from the linebacker spot as soon as they see any sort of gap opening up seen it from Matias Bertram Trey Thomas xri Alexander everybody from the linebacker spot flashing four tackles in the loss in the back field early for the vandals mention Alexander mention McDougall two of a lot of freshmen who play a lot of snaps on defense for Idaho second and 10 hofen barer time running out out and he's Twisted down a sack for Idaho Tylan Coleman with his fourth sack of the Year loss of four top of the screen wins in the interior just beats Tyson Foster across the face great move from the interior defensive line to get home a big sack to force a third and long Coleman made the move up from division 2 Western New Mexico to Idaho here in the FCS this year third and 14 for the Great Danes bring both linebackers here they come hoffen Barker hits Easton turning the defender around and Easton knocked out shy of the sticks at the 44 by Kiren Beach have picked up 12 when he needed a couple more coffen barer knew he was hot knew they had one guy from from the linebacker spot coming unblocked gets it out on the perimeter and how about that move in the open field for Brevin Easton instead of that going a 5y completion checks this down watch right here boom gets this to a fourth and manageable fourth and short we're going to try and go for it what do you think about this love this call in a game where it feels like you're going to have some back and forth trying to keep your offense on the field I love the aggression here fourth and two from the 44 of Idaho wedell flaged down and wedell has the first down it's going to be a hold on Sha dugery holding offense number 60 10yd penalty repeat fourth down got the Freshman Center in the middle called for it immediately and he's pleading his case watch the center number six right in the middle of the screen Dallas afalava wins across his face and he latches on that left hand it's a good call watch 52 hit as soon as he moves across sha dugery grabs that left arm pulls him around instead of a first down forces the punt for the Great Danes the always dangerous termain Jackson awaits and a timeout for Idaho timeout Idaho that is their first charge timeout of the first half this will be a media timeout yes it will we'll step aside Jason X team up three and they're about to get the ball back 10 at the 33 McDonald bounces off a tackler look at that big boy go and he still goes to the 25 yd line Chapman the split in to the right side for the Vandal again it's McDonald and he goes inside the five for another Vandal first down Chapman back in it split in goes to the right side Monahan to McDonald and he's in for the touchdown he just simply shoved about three quer Defenders out of the way one of the all-time greats in Idaho football history Thunder Ray McDonald he was Derk Henry before derck Henry 64 250lb running back that's awesome will pass dla kick to [Music] Jackson here he goes he's returned punch for touchdowns the last two games the field opens up again for Germaine Jackson gets a block inside the 20 and he's tripped up just short of the 10 Germaine Jackson cannot be contained a 73 yd lightning strike to set up Idaho in the Red Zone said the hardest part is making the first one miss he does exactly that there's a flag down late after the play on Sportsman like conduct receiving team number one his first of the game 15yd penalty from the end of the row first down Idaho number six for Albany must sit One play because his helmet came off without a foul so a couple of things first off credit to Tyler Pastula for sticking with that the punter how often do we see punters or kickers don't give that kind of effort he saved the touchdown there put his body on the line the second piece the flag on Germaine Jackson for spiking the ball out of bounds in frustration that's a play sometimes you see that called sometimes you see that let go take one more look at Pastula fights through a block still make the tackle takes a shot there of for SHINee Jackson out of bounds so instead of having it inside the 15 Idaho from the 29 of you Albany McCoy dancing and hits Jake Cox the tight end he's got space and Cox is knocked out of Bounds at the 11 by Lucien 18 yards and a first down couple great Daye defenders in the back field trying to work the tight end coming across see AJ Simon there first and Elijah Hills really nice job by javanni McCoy to work through that find his tight end on the over route they targeted teron ivy on the same thing early in the game came back to it this time with Jake Cox yeah so far Idaho has neutralize those defensive ends and mainly it's McCoy's scrambling ability that's exactly right even when they've had somebody come loose McCoy's been able to evade them first down at the 11 McCoy leaping grabbed by trainer near the 5 yd line pick up of six and that's the benefit of having a receiver 63 205 lbs with the frame that terz trainer does watch How high McCoy puts this ball up at a spot where only his receiver can get [Music] it Idaho has worked it inside the five this is a key part of the field we were talking with the coaches this week they have to be better and it's flashed at different parts of the Season it hasn't just been last week parts of the Season where they get in the tight Red Zone inside the 5 yd line they've had a hard time punching it in for touchdowns Wildcat for Woods here direct snap to the running back and Anthony Woods slices in for the touchdown got to be better in the tight Red Zone Anthony Wood does it himself Anthony Woods meets Michael Lucien at the goal line spills him for the [Applause] [Applause] touchdown the 16th touchdown of the season on the ground for Anthony Woods Chavez oh the extra point is blocked loose ball scooped up by U Albany they could return it for two here pass Midfield and ridden down at the 45 and there's a flag down behind the play at the 40 yard line you get Amir Hall peeled back to get a block on Ricardo Chavez completely removed from the play I think I think this will be a legal Blind Side block or unnecessary roughness I think you could call it a couple different [Music] ways after the return personal foul illegal Blindside on receiving team number one that 15yd penalty will be assessed on the kickoff the conversion is no good timeout media from the right side of the screen number one on the hash right there comes back and clips Ricardo Chavez get the illegal Blindside block there so the extra point blocked but Jason X team extends the lead here at the kiby Dome Anthony Woods first team all Big Sky he's visited the end zone plenty this season more from the holiday parade in Moscow this week and how about the Mini kiby Dome this was your ride into the stadium today I wanted to go to this parade Johnson said we couldn't go though not invited this place is so special it it's one of the most unique venues in college football there's a reason the sickos committee loves it there's a reason people still fire up NCA 14 to build an Idaho vandals Dynasty to make this venue the toughest place to play in college football I can't wait for the new EA college football game to play in here used to play Dynasty mode myself years ago I enjoyed playing with the Idaho team much better than the rice version of me was ranking was in the 60s so there wasn't really any please tell me you boosted that like give 0 overall at least got in there changed the ratings myself maybe 79 maybe you want a conference title here it's a bowl James at Rice oh this kick from Idaho out of bounds so let's see if U Albany makes Idaho Rec kick here Logan Prescott the kickoff specialist that's one thing that Chavez doesn't do for Idaho special teams Wise It's the place kicker and the punter Prescott has a bigger leg and he misfired there kick off out of bounds kicking team five yds excuse me the ball will be placed at the 35 yd line first down Albany Roy Alexander checking into the back field for a two back set I think it's key here for you Albany trying to get the Run game going on early down so far in this game still sitting at zero rushing yards in the second quarter Alexander y Alban's version of Debo Samuel trying to throw a block for woodell turning the corner and wedell stepping out at the 44 it's a gain of nine Griffin woodell to me jumped out on tape as and reminded me of Arion Foster a guy that I watched a ton in college living in the city of Houston patient on the perimeter and a lot of times you'll see him stretch that zone and then stick his foot in the ground and get a burst going vertical he's deceptively fast as well when you watch watch him on tape doesn't look like he's moving nearly as fast as he actually is when he starts pulling away from people it's like he Glides at times second and a yard Bob and barer incomplete intended for Hicks on the RPO Marshall with the coverage and I thought this needed to be a handoff this was wide open in the interior pfin barer raises up tries to throw that slant that they've connected on early in this game to Jan Hicks watch the opportunity if he hands this ball off that's an easy first down I thought that that was a Miss there for coffen barer so the Great Dan only need a yard but they are 0 of three on third down tonight hand it to woodell this time and he's got the first down with ease Trey Thomas wraps him up you know woodell came back to camp this year moving at a different speed according to the coaches he leveled up in the off season he's been a staple for them all season long they love having him run behind big tight end Ian reneger as well 6'5 250 lbs and from the tight end spot this offensive staff talked to us about how they feel like he is the best blocking tight end in the conference they're leaning on him heavily in the first part of this game Barker pulls it for the first time block from Hicks and Pen Barker out of bounds in Idaho territory he was telling the coaches this week he wanted to run it more in fact he hurdled over his head coach Greg cuso at practice Wednesday to illustrate the point hey I got juice just wanted to prove a point that look I am athletic I would like to run the ball a little bit more guso said look let's just keep your feet on the ground at practice please that is an element we haven't seen until that play designed quarterback run game had the chance to throw it to Ian reneger decided to tuck it and run face all Aiden the Utah transfer is in at running back pen barer on the Move pitching it batted down by beum Easton was the closest receiver late out to the sideline coffen barer fortunate this was not an interception Kiren beum Triggers on this out towards the sideline and he's got a read on this the entire time trying to Target Revan Easton a nice job by beum getting underneath that that was a force from pen barter so U Alan just picked up their first third down conversion can they do it again on third and four might be four down territory as well for the great danses on the plus side of the 50 Aiden breaks a tackle it's a first first down inside the 40 there is a flag down as Andrew Marshall makes the stop it's a gain of eight but check out the penalty came from behind the play near the Idaho [Music] [Applause] sideline there is no foul on the play okay then tell you what face saw Aiden the number two back 57214 I think we saw it right there it's like trying to tackle a mini fridge was a walk on at Utah has had a Resurgence in his career since transferring to U Albany and you're exactly right we saw him at the walkr yesterday I would want no part of having to try and Tackle fael [Applause] Hayden offen Barker staying upright Wings it to the end zone for the touchdown it's Bren Easton again a kiss to the sky a 39 yd score and the Great Danes are within three I'm shaking my head just like that you Aly fan at that play what a job by poffenbarger in the backfield Defender turned loose off of his left side makes the first one miss watch the spin move right there keeps his eyes downfield and delivers a strike that's an unbelievable individual effort from ree pener as his coach Greg kuso says why does he make plays like that well Cowboys are going to Cowboy media and it's a two-point game here in Moscow for the second time tonight Reese penar to brevan East for so you Albany head coach Greg ATO had the perfect Halloween costume this year he dressed up as his quarterback reys poppen barer poppen barer loved it even had the leg sleeve check this out guso was a defensive lineman at Penn State in the early 80s he's 61 now but Taylor he told us this week I still think I look better than Reese he nailed really the entire thing the leg sleeve was was probably my favorite part of this and then coming out doing the fake quarterback clap as well he's a player coach there's no doubt about it talking to him this week that was one of the things he pointed out said look I get myself in trouble sometimes I'm the head guy but I enjoy a joke I keep it pretty light you could tell being at the walkthr yesterday especially that his players feed off of that energy and love playing for him yeah he's an old school Pittsburgh guy but he says I want my players to be able to relax and have funun f up back on the return for Idaho to the 35 and jackon E the son of Idaho coach Jason e on the return [Applause] there well back to the drive for the vandals before the latest U Albany touchdown it started with the punt returned by Germaine Jackson has been Dynamic early in this game saw it with the opening kickoff does it here as well on the punt return this was a fantastic job by gavan McCoy making a couple Miss hitting that tight end over route Target in the red zone to TZ trainer and then a physical run by Anthony Woods running through a Defender at the goal line Romano the back on first down here as McCoy across the field to Hayden Hatton a first down and Hatton wants more noise in the kiby dome 13 yds another Corner route for this vandals offense good timing from javanni McCoy puts it to the outside where only his receiver can get it only dangerous part of this throw is leaving it inside McCoy to this point in this game doing a nice job keeping that out away from that safety Defender McCoy says Hayden Hatton is my guy I am always looking for him no matter the situation Romano swallowed up by Elijah Hills in the back field loss of two Elijah Hill has been knocking on the door in this backfield that was the guy that javanni McCoy had to miss in the last drive not able to get away this time swallows up Nick Romano in the back field the big tackle for loss again Ido has had to shuffle this offensive line last couple of drives after Aiden knappik the left tackle went down a Christensen moving over from Right Guard to left tackle toana Cay in at Right Guard second and 12 [Applause] McCoy screen for Jackson going nowhere Brian Abraham makes the play he has really come on late in the season for the Great Danes he's playing well early in this game that was the guy Ted you and I talked about during warm-ups that's the guy that stood out the most 6'5 221 lbs watch how he read and reacts gets to Germaine Jackson before that offensive lineman can get on the perimeter to block him and Brian Abraham I loved when we talked the defensive coordinator Bill nestled about his reaction on the screen balls trying to get up and bat stuff down and he said look I'd rather he just keeps his feet on the ground He is 65 after all third and 12 McCoy keeping the play alive and McCoy diving past Midfield still well short of the sticks but well done by javanni McCoy to create a positive play it's a seven yd run both of these quarterbacks doing a unbelievable job making guys miss in the back field this should be a sack right here and right here makes three different Defenders Miss sets up a fourth and medium and to this point it looks like the vandals are going to keep the offense on the field they will quick kick it's something that's in the bag for them you might see a quick kick here well they go for for it here late in the half fourth and five Blitz up the middle McCoy incomplete he wanted Hatton Idaho wants a flag Bill Hackett with the coverage and it's a turnover on Downs Jason EK and this vandals fan base calling for flag thought Bill Hackett may have gotten there a hair early on take another look off to the right side does Bill hacket he's got that left hand on Hayden Hatton get a better look at it right here I think he's a little bit early but it's a bang bang play in a game that's this tight understand it not being called so U Albany takes over at their own 48 swing it to woodell shrugs off one Defender and he's past the 50 Marcus Harris knocks him out pick up a five think for both of these offenses struggling to run the football the screen game becomes your extension of the Run game that's exactly what they're doing there trying to get the easy completion out on the edge to Griffin woodell staying ahead of the sticks really for both of these teams trying to get to second and third manageable U Albany was down 16-7 earlier in the quarter hit the big play to Easton driving for the goahead score now up top to Hicks Harris defending and it's third down well there's the leader of the defense Marcus Harris showing up really nice coverage on the Outside Pretty comparable numbers for our two quarterbacks Reese pfin barter and javanni McCoy having to step up both of these offenses struggling to run the football right now 26 rushing yards for U Albany 24 on the other side for the Idaho vandals these quarterbacks are leaning on right now to make plays in the passing game and moving around with their legs as well these are two of the most dynamic best young quarterbacks in the FCS going head to-head third and five for the great danses they've converted their last Che on third down running play could go for it on Fourth and withell bumped out by Trey Thomas it'll be fourth in about a yard maybe a full two here late in the half Kyon beum watch off the left side 14 does a nice job reacting misses the opportunity for a tackle for loss and when you run for it on Third and five that's a play call that leads you to think they planned all along just to get this to a fourth and short if they don't pick up the first down they keep the offense on the field can Idaho's defense rise up just like you ALB did on fourth down a moment ago fake it to woodell fire it and the pass is caught by Easton what a play inside the 40 how did Easton hold on with mvin Kenyan all over him seven yards I have no idea how he came down with this it's an RPO hfen barer puts it right on Brevin Easton watch right here and it's a good clean hit from mvin Kenyon that's a lot of the times where you see targeting plays come from that's a good clean tackle from mvin Kenyan and even better catch on fourth down to keep his offense on the field from brevan Easton approaching the two-minute Mark the Great Danes will have the ball to start the second half puffen Barker stood up no gain on the [Applause] play pulls this ball into two black jerseys right there boom five and 24 Jakari lemond and xri Alexander tough sledding right now trying to run the football for this great DS offense I mean it's been tough sledding for both teams running the ball all night all the production has come from the right arms of pen Barger for U Albany and McCoy for Idaho great D still have all three timeouts swing it to Adell breaks a tackle from Harris and pushed out by Bertram at the 35 gain of two third down one of the things that stood out watching Idaho throughout the season they rally to the football and you need that especially against a back like Griffin woodell how often have we seen him in this game make the first Defender miss good team defense to Rally force a third and long play clock winding down under 10 seconds remember they had an illegal shift in a similar situation earlier in the half they're set here on Third and eight puffen barer Too Tall incomplete Marshall had the coverage on Maris Deets fourth and eight little bit of pressure on parfen barer pretty good coverage on the back end playing man defense again which we've seen a lot of put Keon James Newbie all the way to the outside and good sticky coverage really nowhere to go with the ball ball sails a little bit trying to Target Marquez Deets and this is that no man's land again for the great Dan's offense keeping their offense on the field we saw a Miss field goal on a long attempt earlier not surprised to see them go for it here play clock down to one got to burn a timeout that play clock has expired and the flag is out in the secondary delay of game offense 5 y penalty down so fourth and 13 that changes the math and Tyler Pastula comes on to punt in a game a field position is going to matter once it gets back fourth and 12 obviously makes that a lot easier to trot your punt team out even though you're well into Idaho territory does Pastula dare kick it to Jackson now Jackson's had a big kick return and punt return [Applause] tonight trying to hang it High Jack ja wants no part of it as Pastula angles it out let's see where they walk it up nicely done at the 12 yd line just a 28 yd punt but Pastula has pinned Idaho deep with 104 remaining in the Hat NCAA FCS Championship coverage continues next weekend with the semi finals the winner here either Idaho or U Albany will take on defending champ South Dakota State Friday 700 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 2 the other semi-final pits Montana against North Dakota State 4:30 Saturday on ESPN 2 for more information visit ncaa.com the home for all 90 NCAA championships two timeouts in the back pocket for Idaho they start from their own 11 with 104 remaining in the half javanni McCoy has been so good tonight this pass off the hands of Germaine Jackson tried to go upstairs to get it over Isaac Duffy another Corner R Mane Jackson staying down a little bit grabbing at that calf hopefully that's a just a cramp early in this game this has become very clear it's a throw that javanni McCoy is comfortable with fits that in that's a tight window Germaine Jackson now timeout for an injury to a player on the offense is man Jackson has been such a differen maker here in the playoffs the last two weeks all season for Jason X team in the return game as that second receiving option next to Hayden Hatton and down on the field cutting away at that tape on the ankle trying to stretch that calf out get some water in him hopefully that's just cramps what if looks like but Germaine Jackson enjoyed talking to him this week and he said it and I think we all agree said look I I think we're a headache for defensive coordinators he's talking about being alongside Hayden Hatton two very different body types right Hayden Hatton a little bit bigger receiver on the outside Germaine Jackson able to stretch the field from that inside slot receiver that's been a dynamic duo alongside the running back Duo of Nick romano and Anthony Woods a lot of weapons on this vandals offense Jackson told us that in high school he was a running back in the wing te and so he's putting his tape together for colleges he went to Junior College route at first College of San Mato in California the first 10 plays were him in the return game before he got to running back and the few passes that he happened to catch cuz he knew he was going to have to be a receiver at the next level well and I said along with the receiving what sort of routes do you like but this is some of the return we saw this was the punt return almost went for a touchdown opening kick as well went well on the other side of Midfield return game Idaho felt like that could be a Difference Maker for this team they've got the they feel like the best special teams unit in the FCS but I asked him what are your favorite routes to run as though I should have expected anything else he said well I like running the fade or double moves from the five s slot receiver of course he's still going to say that hopefully Jackson's okay he's got to exit for now 58 seconds left in the half woods snaking ahead across the 15 and taken down by ory Jean Charles after a gain of six timeout Albany that is their first charge timeout of the first half this will be a 1se second timeout good Annunciation there on thir uh so the yeah the great DS are open for a stop here on third down maybe get it back before G clock operator please reset the game clock to 49 seconds 49 seconds Marcel Kerr has excellent diction you're good to see Jackson running here along Beyond The End Zone trying to get him into the half yeah probably going in get some fluids trying to get him back out for the second half this is a critical down here right third down if Idaho could pick up the first down thank you likely limit Alban's ability to get a possession before half if they don't you're going to have Idaho will use their last time out if Idaho keeps it on the ground then should have pretty good field position with an opportunity to try and get points before half how would you play this if you're Idaho here you try to pick up this first down don't be afraid to put this ball in the air that's been where you've been most effective important that they get this first down Patton at the bottom of your picture matched up against air hall on the ground Woods has the first down acoss the 25 Brad Wei rides him down clock stops momentarily the first down after a pick up of 14 no need to put the ball in the air when you block it that well off the right side good patience from Anthony Woods then that burst to the perimeter poy to the air this time looking for Woods over his head incomplete so 29 seconds remaining in the half genu Albany does get the ball to start the second half [Applause] with that play call Idaho still making it clear they can find a chunk play still with their two timeouts trying to try figure out a way get points here before half this is a critical down if you don't get some sort of decent chunk yardage here probably not enough time to get yourself in field goal range and with Jackson out of the lineup redard freshman Jordan DWI is in the slot bottom of your picture he has a touchdown tonight Romano chewing up yardage across the 40 yd Line nyd run and a timeout for Idaho timeout Idaho that is that second charge timeout of the first half this will be a 1 second timeout so now here's the spot for Idaho 22 seconds you've got time here to take one shot play try and work this down with with one timeout left get this you need to be close to the 30 yd line really to get it in Ricardo Chavez's range who does have a Miss already in the first part of this game also at 22 seconds you're not really worried now about you Albany still having the two timeouts go through a third down play and then through the punt really not enough time left for you Albany even if they get the ball back Come Away with points this is the critical down for Idaho trying to create some sort of Chunk play that gets well into U Terr third and a yard for the vandals first down Hatton out of bounds just short of Midfield bumped out by Hall pick up of nine clock stopped at 18 seconds and a nice job by gavan McCoy youu Alban he comes out backed way off safety's deep corner is backed off instead of trying to fit a shot plate down the field take the check down work it down to Midfield pick up the first down the target line for Ricardo Chavez is around the [Applause] 35 so keep that in mind here with 18 seconds and one timeout [Applause] left McCoy feeling the heat got a bail on it and he throws it away been a relatively quiet night through the first first half for AJ Simon Anton junai that time from both sides right and left side collapse that pocket down Force javanni McCoy to get rid of the ball yeah neither Jun caj who's got 14 sacks nor Simon who's got 12 and a half have one tonight Chavez nailed a 45 y also missed from 45 in this first half his career long is 53 which he hit twice this year just had the game winner last week in overtime against Southern Illinois second and 10 McCoy complete and a first down right near the target line for Chavez as terz trainer brings it in for 15 strike on the field out pretty good coverage on the back end from Bill Hackett originally but a good route pressing vertically breaking it off and then an accurate throw and now with 9 seconds Still The One timeout you've got enough time you can work the middle of the field try and improve your field position for Ricardo Chavez and field goal range they give it to Woods and Woods goes down after a gain of a yard just collapsed in front of Dylan Kelly and woods is hobbling off the field Idaho that is their third and final charge timeout of the first half this will be a 13-second timeout Anthony Woods man hobbling off the field just it's like his legs gave out with Dylan Kelly the All-American linebacker bearing down this will test the limits and actually from where they're kicking this from this is really going to be the limit at season long at 53 yards this will be right on it for Ricardo Chavez he's hit from 53 twice this season Chavez the right- footed kicker and left footed punter Ambi pedal for Idaho U Albany does have timeouts left and they use one here timeout alony that is their third and final charge timeout of the first half this will be a 30 second timeout yeah so it looks like it'll be a 52 yd attempt for Chavez and so we asked Jason eek yesterday at the walk through when you first heard that Ricardo Chavez hit field goals and extra points this is Al's second charge timeout of the half they've got one remaining they can't go back to back though so when you first heard Jason egg that Ricardo Chavez kicks with his right and he punts with his left he's like I I couldn't believe it like he does what he said he had to see it for himself it doesn't make any sense but really thriving it both has had a fantastic season and it was interesting how much his teammates talked about they feel like he's a weapon from both spots Chavez had a field goal at the end of the half last week against Southern Illinois before nailing the gamewinner in overtime this from 52 yards to expand the lead and and Chavez is wide right had the distance but not the accuracy and it's a two-point lead for the vandals at the half here in the FCS quarterfinals quarterback play from really both sides javanni McCoy and REE pener neither offense getting it going running the football but the explosive plays that both offenses talked about trying to find they've come through the passing game winner of this one to meet South Dakota state in the semifinals next week in Brookings the defending champion Jack Rabbits we'll talk with Jason EG here momentarily as his team heads into the locker room here in Moscow and Jason joins us now Jason uh we were just talking about it that while the Run game might not be there overall your team is hitting the explosive plays that you were looking for what has contributed to that I like how we're moving the ball you get we like the match up with our receivers on really anybody we play and they're doing a good job uh we got to stop giving up the big play you know we had a busted coverage that gave up one of their touchdowns one of them they just had a nice hit over the top and beat our corner I like the way we're stopping the Run uh we got to wrap up on the quarterback too he's done a good job escaping Jason thank you for the time best of luck back-to-back playoff appearances in the FCX with eek at the helm here at Idaho of course a former South Dakota State assistant and hoping to head back to Brookings next week his team led by javanni McCoy up by two over you alany in the last FCS quarterfinal of the night coming up we will look at the rest of the FCS playoff picture here on ESPN [Music] Plus at the half here in Moscow Idaho and you Al in the last quarterfinal of the day here in the FCS Championship and by the way the NCA FCS Championship coverage continues next week with the semifinals the winner here heads to Brookings to face the defending national champion South Dakota State Friday 700 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 2 Montana will host North Dakota State 4:30 Saturday on ESPN 2 for more information visit ncaa.com the home for all 90 NCAA championships well speaking of monsana coming up that we will revisit the wild scene in Missoula last night an instant classic between Ferman and the Montana Grizzlies show you what went down [Applause] next half timee in Moscow this was part of the holiday parade the Washington State mariachi band a part of the festivities The Vibes really are Immaculate tonight kimy Dome and FCS playoffs after dark Ted emrich and Taylor mcar with you the FCS playoffs are just incredible like we've seen these games go last night in Missoula we'll get to that here in just a second but as we reflect on what's coming to the FBS starting next year with the expanded playoff it's like the FCS has been doing this even bigger for longer you look around at the previous two rounds as well it's what makes this sport so special especially at the FCS level these environments here tonight kib do the kib doome has been rocking all night and then in the matchup tonight it's been good clean football we don't have any turnovers tonight really explosive plays made on both sides it's it's been a fantastic atmosphere in the first half it was a fantastic atmosphere in Missoula last night the first quarterfinal of the weekend Montana the two seed Ferman the seven seed and it started with a bang Junior Bergen 99 yds to the end zone well Montana would be the school that would have something to say to Idaho about having the top special teams unit that was the unit that that ended up proving critical in this game this game turned into a seesaw back and forth Michael Robinson intercepting Montana's Clifton mcdal bringing it back into the Red Zone Tyler Huff for Ferman who had a monster game a 53 yard touchdown in the elements to tie the game at 14 and that's a guy that proved his Moxy and how much he means to that Paladin's team was a back and forth game and a battle all the way down the stretch and then another huge special teams play this time on a punt return turn Blue's second special teams touchdown of the night Junior Bergen 59 yards on the punt return Montana going for two to make it a seven-point game and it was 28-21 so last opportunity how about this throw by Tyler Hoff puts up a prayer to his big tight end this was a spot the paladins were going to go for two left tackle jumps off sides and I thought they were fortunate for it in real time it didn't look like they would get it on the two-point conversion there ends up going to overtime so Ferman ends up kicking the extra point on to OT Montana had the ball first McDow to keelen White for the touchdown to put the Grizzlies up 3528 so Ferman has to have a touchdown they have to have 15 yards on fourth down from the 30 Huffs pass in complete and W Grizz there in Missoula came unglued Montana wins it 3528 in overtime Bobby Hal's team on its way to the semifinals in the FCS Championship for the first time in a dozen years a back and forth game heartbreak for Ferman but for Montana what an incredible effort in that environment we talk about this environment we have in the kib dome incredible environment that we saw last night in Montana there is a championship pedigree that is shaping up among the teams that are still standing in the FCS playoffs Montana has won it all you look at some of the other semi-final entrance of course North Dakota state nine-time champion in the last 12 years they're back in the semis unseed bison they're starting to look like the team that we all know come playoff time their fans were ready to go as well all that was made of them getting the password to the South Dakota ticket office they obviously came ready to play South Dakota State battled through there was some weather issues that they were dealing with in the first part of their game but closed out that game strong as well yeah with 40 mph wins there in Brooking South Dakota State grinding past Villanova 23-2 and so the teams remaining North Dakota State the nine national titles Montana has won the FCS National Championship twice South Dakota State's the defending Champion going for backto back titles and the winner of our game Idaho and New Albany will meet the jack rabbits next week in Brookings some familiar faces there South Dakota State undefeated for a long it's been a long time since South Dakota State lost the game all the way back to the opener against Iowa in 2022 but North Dakota State Ted you said it going from unseated really playing strong down the stretch and I feel like they're they've gotten their Mojo in the back half of the season so one spot remains in the semifinals Buddy the elf will help decide it here here at the P1 FCU Kibby it's Idaho by a pair and the second half is on the way we're at the break here at the kiby Dome Idaho and you Al in the quarterfinals of the FCS Championship one spot remains in the semifinals and here are the important dates the winner of this one heads to Brooking South Dakota to face the jack rabbits of South Dakota State that'll be Friday December 15th the other semi-final Montana and North Dakota state will be Saturday December 16th the championship yes the national championship game in the FCS January 7th from Frisco Texas on ABC now these teams hoping to go from Moscow to Frisco coming up we'll have the start of the second half between the vandals and the Great Danes the popcorn bucket ad is a nice touch midnight on the East Coast 900 p.m. here in Moscow Idaho as we get ready for the start of the second half at the P1 FC KY Dome Ted Emer Taylor mcar with you the theme of the first half Taylor chunk plays for both sides quarterbacks making plays some of which Off Script but moving around it's all star started with javanni McCoy touchdown Over the Top This was the post route we saw him hit early to Jordan dwire on the other side Reese coffen Barger said I can do that too makes somebody Miss in the back field delivers a strike over top to BR Easton you'll hear that again and stop me if you've heard this before but Germaine Jackson is good at returning the football this was the punt return had a long kick return to open the game as well loose down the sideline just short of the touchdown it was a nice job by Tyler Pastula a big return for Germaine Jackson Anthony Woods physical at the goal line which was something that this offensive staff had challenged him on and then this was the second touchdown for pen barer two BR Easton made something happen in the back field delivered another strike and it's been a battle between ree pen Barger and javanni McCoy between those quarterbacks trading off making those big plays over the top and it's been clean football Ted we talked about it a minute ago no turnovers from either side in that first half the two finalists for the Walter Payton award the FCS offensive player of the year two of the 30 that were recognized at the end of the season and U Albany will have the ball to start the second half Germaine Jackson left away we'll see if he's a full go remember went to the locker room before the end of the first half to get checked out for Idaho it's Logan Prescott to kick away for the vandals winner to play South Dakota State the defending national champs I think they're still up watching to like all of us FCS playoffs after dark continues and U Albany has it from the 25 what impressed you the most about coffin Barker in that first first half I think it was so much individual effort on plays where if he's not able to make somebody Miss in the back field those chunk plays don't happen a couple of those touchdowns there two touchdowns in the first half don't happen so it's been that individual effort and that's some of the Moxy that he's shown All Season you saw it last week against Richmond so much that that he made happen Off Script the thing that I'm looking for though in the second half that we touched on in the second quarter trying to get first down Run game going with Griffin woodell woodell held to eight yards on eight carries in the first half and Pen Barker pulls it triple option look as he pitches to Bren Easton the receiver how about that creativity as Easton picks up seven trying to find ways to get that first down Run game going a wrinkle that we haven't seen yet bring brevan Easton in motion run Zone read off of it defensive end collapses down pitch it to brevan East as your pitch back good first down run all of a sudden the Great Danes turned into a service Academy second down and three and a flag down Far Side false start offense number 77 5y penalty second down the true freshman right tackle Nolan latu Lee from Ottawa latu leap along with sha duy the two freshmen on this offensive line Ido shifts and watch latu leip off the right side flinches defense is allowed to do that move around pre- snap freshman's got to hold his water there so second and eight wiell and engulfed by Dallas afalava after a gain of two afalava the true freshman from Seattle has been really active the last two weeks talk about the Freshman for you all Al on the offensive line how about the Freshman on the other side two Dallas afalava and xre Alexander been special for this Idaho defense and afalava flashes there set up a third medium you Aly two of seven on third down tonight they were one of the best teams on third down in the country this season hoffen Barker extending the play running out of real estate and he throws it in front of Easton incomplete fourth down how important was that penalty on second down that first down run had it to a second short puts him behind the sticks and then a nice job by Idaho they spin around Trey Thomas from the blitz on the right side excuse me that was X3 Alexander nice job by Malachi Williams in Pursuit as well and Idaho forces a three and out coming out of half and Jackson is back to receive for Idaho shaken up at the end of the first half he's had a big kick return and a big punt return to flip the [Applause] [Music] [Applause] field and Jackson is drilled by Easton so you Alan's top receiver out there as a gunner on special teams and he Ms down Germaine Jackson Idaho went with the punt block not a lot of help on the back end Germaine Jackson fortunately he didn't fumble that how about using the guy who's got 12 touchdowns on the year running down punts so Idaho takes over the 24 McCoy lets it Fly it's Jackson got behind air hall Jackson down at the 40 of U alany it's a gain of 36 Mir Hall Mir Hall gets those eyes into the back field good job by javanni McCoy working right you can see air hall he got those eyes back inside Germaine Jack gets in behind him right out of the gate another Play Over the Top in the passing game for the vandals so no worse for wear after the big hit it's the fifth 20 plusy pass play for Idaho tonight from the Great Danes 40 McCoy another deep shot for Jackson and this time he air mailed it and Jackson man there's definitely a hitch in the giddy up right now for for Germaine Jackson trying to test again deep shot this time on the other side that was Brad AI Corner Spot you're exactly right Ted Germaine Jackson and get a breather back-to-back shot plays after going out at the end of second quarter dealing with cramps I think they're going to have to that'll be something they've got to manage down the stretch so dwire takes his play again in the slot second and 10 McCoy hits Hatton right in front of Amir Hall and a pick up of four Ted I I think we should go back and talk about how important AJ Simon and Anton junai excuse me junkai has been for this Albany defense and what a nice job Idaho is really to this point in the game they've slowed down that pass rush from both sides we have not seen eight or four from either side the left or the boundary get after the quarterback in a way that we expected coming in this game and Idaho lost their left tackle Aiden kapic in the first half to an injury third and five for the vandals pressure up the gut this time and Mccoy's pass is too tall for Hatton boy McCoy took a shot fourth down oh and right on Q bring pressure try and get Dylan Kelly up the middle see AJ Simon involved as well and here from the 35 this is about the edge of Chavez's range he missed a 52 y at the end of the half this from 52 he was one for three on field goals in the first [Applause] half just shy of his career long Chavez from 52 this is online oh he DED it off the crossbar wow media it didn't bounce Idaho's way the Ricochet and it bounced out for Ricardo Chavez who's one of four on field goals tonight Idaho still up by two second half in the FCS quarterfinals The Godfather of U Albany Great Danes football is Bob Ford the only coach the Great Danes have had outside of Greg gatuso since the program was reinstated in 1970 Ford won 265 games in more than four decades he led them from a club team to the FCS where now guso has the wheel for this program so after the Miss by Chavez from 52 yds y Albany has it at the 35 and they'll have it from the 30 after this another pre- snap shift that gets you all need to jump false start offense number 51 5 yard penalty first down sixth penalty of the night for the Great Danes and it's loud in here this environment Vandal fans have showed up tonight they've brought that energy in that pre-nap shift we've seen it back-to-back drives now getting the great D's offensive line to Flinch early you Albany went three and out to open up the second half first and 15 underneath Julian Hicks powering to the 40 yd line nice gain nine yds Armani Arnold brings him down guy for for the Great Danes in Julian Hicks they feel like he's got the catch radius get it to him right now on the hitch route out to the field you could see his frame 6'2 2011 lb a receiver who started his career in the Mac one year at Central Michigan one year at akan join U Albany couple of years ago second and six pofin Barger into the flat and Ian reninger is cut down the tight end hit by Dwayne McDougall the safety after a gain of two third down Dwayne McDougall flying downhill knows he's going to have to take a shot Onie and reneger much bigger than Dwayne McDougall good open field tackle opportunity now again for this vandals defense to force a three and out and get off the field U Albany ow for their last three and two of eight overall on third down and a timeout for the Great Dan timeout Albany that is their first charge timeout of the second half this will be a 13 second timeout Greg guso really upset with offensive coordinator Jared Ambrose not sure what the conversation was there was a clear miscommunication either with how they were aligned What I'm Looking For on this third down Idaho's response on Third and medium third and long is to play Man defense trust their coverage on the back end and they're blitzing these linebackers in the interior pretty regularly Trey Thomas and x-3 Alexander specifically those have been the guys that have been getting home they don't typically get a lot of pressure with just their front four but the linebackers have been active most of the game to see if they stay true to that and bring those two linebackers on that cross a gap Blitz that they like we heard Jason X pregame speech as we came on in the air told his team I'm tired of hearing so much about you Alban's defense I want our defense to rise up they've done that for the most part can they do it here on third and four coffen barer hits his man Roy Alexander a first down to Midfield as Alexander beat Andrew Marshall to the inside for n yards and Idaho stays true to that look again Trey Thomas blitzes from the quarterback's right side and it opens up a void in the middle to throw the slant for the first down good recognition from ree poffenbarger hoffen barer Rockets it he wants Alexander again he fell down and beum was that close to an interception he dropped the pick beum almost had his third interception of the year and he knows it hoffen barer starts to his left and works back to Roy Alexander and he's just a little bit late you get rid of the ball right now this is a touchdown to Roy Alexander ball is underthrown poffenberger having to throw it all the way to the opposite side of the field and very fortunate that Kiren beum doesn't come down with an interception there now Taylor if that's the one knock on pen barer he's a little inaccurate at times yes he's a playmaker but he's not always is on point coffen barer on target this time brev Easton at the sticks and stepping out just short of the marker at the 41 it'll be third and a yard for you Albany hoffen barer with another accurate throw out to the field brevan Randle excuse me brev Easton he's done such a nice job working back to the football that's something that shows up on tape I think he's the best route runner for this great D's offense got to think if they don't get it here they're going for it on fourth down and in this part of the field wedell renders that question Mo oh he lost the football after picking up the first down and it's scooped up by mvin Kenny in the safety first turnover of the game goes to the Idaho V [Applause] dos woodell makes the first one miss in the back field watch from the left side flying into the frame huge play and Arnold there to scoop this up really nice play by Dwayne McDougall to strip that ball out then Orman Arnold rallies to it that first turnover we talked about how clean this game had been prior to that play not a ton of freshman mistakes from Griffin Woodle but that was one there so the vandals have it at their own [Music] [Applause] 29 and the drive starts with Anthony Woods a nice crease to run through across the 35 seven yds for Woods who had a touchdown in the first half woods is 5'11 185 lbs he's not the biggest back but watch how violent he runs he gets to the point of attack he's not shying away from contact you saw it earlier in the game at the goal line as well Taylor Woods is a guy the coach has challenged in the off season last year's a freshman he was second Team all Big Sky but they took him off the field on third down either third and long for pass protection issues or for short yardage he's become a tougher Runner and he's much better picking up the Blitz gets another carry and Woods has the first down across the 40 yd line and as Jason e told us now the next step for him is just put on a little more weight and that's the same thing Bill Hackett from The Corner Spot it's five on five and Anthony Woods is looking for contact he leans forward at the last second there is no I'm going to work to get out of bounds or I'm going to get down he's leaning forward trying to deliver a blow to get that extra two or three yards at contact so back-to- back solid runs for Woods he gets a breather Nick Romano takes his place the fifth year senior from Meridian Idaho McCoy searching and he throws it away flag is down in the back field might be a hold against Idaho yep [Music] y holding offense number 71 10yd penalty repeat first down and sometimes you dial up a blitz at the exact right time Isaac Duffy watch 19 running from the field Blitz from the field safety position they're running a see the hold clear there in the middle of the screen but that pressure is going right into the bootleg that Idaho was trying to run it was a dead play made worse by that hole and five penalties for 70 yards now for Idaho first and 20 McCoy to Hatton and that makes up the penalty yardage to the 43 gain of 10 the same style that we were bragging on brevan Easton a minute ago on working back to the football on that that comeback route Hayden Hatton does a fantastic job of it as well pressing the corner working out and then working back to the football javanni McCoy throwing it away from that Defender as well gets back that penalty yardage from first down seven catches 77 yards for Hatton who could very well be an NFL draft pick he says he still hasn't decided if he'll foro his last year of Eligibility McCoy to Hatton again did he get the foot down he dead inside the 40 of U Albany 19 yds and a first down we've seen that corner route a number of times tonight this was not a real accurate throw from javanni McCoy it's thrown back in behind Hayden Hatton but there's that catch radius that we've come to know and what this staff talked to us about having to Pivot around turn his body around unbelievable control and then gets that left foot down in bounds that would have been good in the pros two feet down funny that Hatton is a converted tight end that's how he started his career here at Idaho on first down McCoy to the air again evading the rush and he throws it away so now this pass rush for U alony trying to get active Anton Jun AJ Simon trying to meet in the middle Jun kaj cleans this up but this all starts in the interior Joseph greeny blows this place up play up from the very beginning in j cleans it up and Jason e and his staff been able to hold down that U Albany pass rush for the most part tonight great danes lead the FCS in sacks don't have one tonight Woods breaks a tackle Anthony Woods to the second level and tug down inside the 10 first and goal for the vandals after a 29 yd burst U Alman he brings pressure but they do it off the edge the middle of the defense was the soft spot on this play had to make one miss in the middle and no one left on the back end little Up Tempo first and goal Woods right off the gut a couple more that was the longest run tailor for either team tonight it's been a struggle on both sides Idaho with that run now at 98 yards knocking on the door of 100 yards rushing but on the other side you Albany 48 yds rushing it's just been that way all night most of the production has come through the air this is the spot on the field again Idaho challenged themselves be better in the tight Red Zone they capitalized earlier with a physical run from Anthony Woods can they punch it in again for a touchdown Idaho brings in a couple of tight ends on second and goal Romano is the back and Romano stopped right at the line Elijah Hillis excuse me Hills blows this play up from the very beginning 93 in the middle there's nowhere to go and AJ Simon off the edge as well and that's been the challenge coming off of that explosive Run play that's been the outlier majority of the Run game has looked a lot like that and now third and medium I like trying to move javanni McCoy around give him the option where if it's not there he can take off and use his legs Hatton at the bottom of your picture McCoy looking that way back shoulder Hatton cannot come up with it and air Hull puts on the seat [Applause] belt fourth and goal for Idaho and the bandal will will have to kick that's good coverage from air hall and he doesn't panic back shoulder fade this is the only spot gavan McCoy can throw that ball and give Hayden Hatton even the opportunity would have been an unbelievable catch really just had one hand on it and I promise you Ricardo Chavez is thankful that this is an attempt that's not on the verge of another career long no kidding this from 24 he's missed more field goals tonight than he missed all season coming in this is much more manageable and Chavez bangs it through it's a two-score game timeout in Moscow [Applause] media Idaho of 1914 one score game here at the Kibby Dome as Idaho adds to its lead my brain clearly exploded after Chavez made a field goal yes it's still a one one-score game as Idaho does extend the lead 1914 here in the FCS quarterfinals T I'm Rick Taylor marar our entire crew here from the P1 FCU kibbi doome winner moves on to play South Dakota State the defending national champions here in the FCS that'll be Friday in Brooking South Dakota on ESPN [Music] 2 [Music] and Prescott sends it away for Idaho it's a [Applause] [Music] Touchback timeout media and a timeout in Moscow you Albany with Rees pen Barker back on the field after this [Music] makes a difference today for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow the Hall of Famer Jim Kelly his fight has certainly been inspirational over the years and he has a tie to the U almany Great Dan his nephew Dylan is one of the best defensive players in the FCS and Jim Kelly goes to a lot of the great Dan's home games Dylan never wanted to make a big deal of it didn't tell anybody that Jim Kelly was his uncle as pen Barker drops it off to Griffin woodell on first down for six yards and of course this being be week every donation goes directly to cancer research you can join the fight just like Jim Kelly has fought v.org donates there were a lot of people in the program at U Albany who didn't realize that Dylan Kelly was the nephew of Jim Kelly until this year second and four for the great Dan's offense and that pass is knocked down trying to fit it in to Deets and beum was there defensively going back to the well on that inside slant been a couple times at pen Barger has hit either Julian Hicks or deetz over the middle also targeted Roy Alexander on the same style throw this time Idaho wise to it and in a good position they go back to it it's been the calling card for this defense on third down it's been the same thing man defense across the board blitzing in the interior with the linebackers do they bring xre Alexander in the middle you Al trying to avoid their third three and out tonight great Dan's need four pofin barer escaping floats it up for Easton and batted Away by Marcus Harris but there's a flag Harris celebrating but is this pass interference Dad I think this may be on brevan Easton I thought Marcus Harris was in a good position eyes back to the football and I thought brev e was the one that initiated contact and may have interfered with Marcus Harris pass interference offense number 13 that penalty is declined fourth down we'll take another look Marcus Harris really in a good spot this is good coverage look at the eyes of the corner looking back trying to figure out where the football is and bran Easton not allowing him to get that left shoulder turned around this is the better look at it see how he's got that arm not allowing that left side to turn around to intercept the football and a good job by Marcus Harris staying focused on it and even just getting a hand on it honestly you can't blame Brevin Easton there cuz Harris not at all is a ball Hawk for Idaho had the interception in overtime last week to set up the game-winning field goal he's got six career picks Passa punts it lands in front of Germaine Jackson and and U alvany Downs it inside the 30 well Germaine Jackson has been a Difference Maker tonight Taylor it started right out of the gate this was the opening kickoff worked back to the other side of Midfield we knew what a dangerous returner he was thought this may go the distance went back to him this time over the top been a couple times they've targeted him on Corner routes where he's gotten open between the corner and the safety here was the punt return almost went the distance wasn't for Tyler Pastula here at the end this is a touchdown he's been Dynamic all night both as a receiver this time over the top on the fade ball Amir Hall getting those eyes back into the back field been everywhere all night Germaine Jackson for this vandals offense and special teams here's Romano with a flag down from the back field and Romano made it back to the line of scrimmage and it's against Idaho holding offense number 71 10yd penalty repeat first down that's T cay was playing a lot more than Jason EG probably thought coming in after Aiden canapp went down in the first half it's moved over to Right Guard 71 right there it looks like he starts to fall just takes down Defender with him for he said it been a clean game with regard to turnovers has not been clean with penalties especially in this third quarter for either side it's really grinded to a halt since halftime late in the third now McCoy looking for Hatton incomplete two flags Isaac Duffy was there for U Albany trying to prevent Hatton from making the [Applause] catch in the student section for idido's chanting you can't do that pass interference Defense number 19 the ball will be placed at the spot of the foul automatic first down Isaac Duffy trailing Hayden Hatton on this out route that they've busted on a couple times and this is an easy call Isaac Duffy not getting his eyes back really it's not a great throw from javanni McCoy and he's bailed out by Isaac Duffy not getting those eyes back around goes through the back of Hayden Hatton that's an easy [Applause] call so first down at the 28 for Idaho gavan McCoy and through the hands of Jackson was thinking about making Duffy Miss there and couldn't reel an in first Mitchell Lucien off the edge been active tonight for the great great danses that has been the guy they brought a significant amount of pressure with got in the face of javanni McCoy haven't seen many drops from Germaine Jackson opportunity there makes somebody Miss make something out of nothing instead second [Music] long nothing can assistant on the ground for Jason X offense they are playing the number one run defense in the country tonight in U Albany trying to get it going with Woods here on second and 10 nice cut by woods and up to the 34 for six yds you mentioned the top Rush defense in the country for the Great Danes they also Haven any haven't had any sacks tonight for his disruptive as Anton junos has been and AJ Simon All Season think the vandals have done a nice job stying that pass rush giving javanni McCoy time and then the opportunities that the Great Danes have had where they've gotten into the back field gavan McCoy doing a nice job evading Defenders it's a big spot here can the vandals pick up this third down Great Danes also lead the nation in takeaways they don't have one of those either Coy gets it out quickly and Amir ball was so close to coming up with the pick there Patton the intended target fourth down javanni McCoy knew he was hot Blitz from that left side not enough on the offense to pick up everybody that was blitzing tries to get it out into the boundary you said it exactly right Ted fortunate that that didn't go the opposite direction for air hall so Chavez to punt in with his left foot got the soccer background as a goalkeeper he says when the ball was on the ground he'd always kick with his right but for goal Kicks When he'd handle it with his hands he would kick with his left for a little more power booms this one and the fair catch for U Albany and Levi Wentz at the 25 41 yd punt for Ricardo Chavez here at the P1 FCU kiby Dome the winner heads to the semifinals to face the top seed and defending national champion South Dakota state which beat Villanova earlier today at home that game in Brookings at 40 mph winds outside here in Moscow it's snowing but a nice 72° in the Kibby Dome Greg kuso's offense has been stuck in neutral here in the second half couple of three and outs and a turnover Reese pen barer is dragged down Dallas off of lava the true freshman continues to make plays well this is a coverage sack and they've got the freshman in at corner into the boundary Andrew Marshall you can't see it there great coverage and going back to it again this offense for U alany trying to go play action and throw a slant in behind it they busted Idaho in the first half with that playing much better coverage in the Freshman Andrew Marshall in a good spot second sack of the game for the Idaho defense hoffen barer flips it to wedell bounces off a couple of Defenders and Trey Thomas shoves him out across the 25 this was the first down play again trying to go play action and throw the slant in behind at the top of the screen Watch Andrew Marshall drives down on this slant route there's not enough of a window for pen barer to get rid of that ball offal laava and the rest of this defense rallies to the football at some point that play action off of it it's got to be some sort of wrinkle instead of a slant whether that's a pivot route some sort of fade some sort of back shoulder action anything that gets away from that slant route because Idaho is driving on it right now third and seven hoffen barer down the scam and incomplete looking for deetz who is his favorite Target on third down and Andrew Marshall another true freshman stepping up for Idaho and they test the true true freshman on third down try and throw the back shoulder Fade to Maris Deets it's really a pretty good throw from pen Barger off the ear of the corner that's a really good throw on second look Maris Deets has to come down with that ball so poua back out to punt second straight three and out for the Great Danes Jackson back [Applause] deep angles the kick and Jackson lets it bounce out of bounds near the [Applause] 27 a 46 yd punt by Pastula yeah hi Dad great crowd as always here at the P1 FCU Kibby Dome and Idaho has it back we had all the explosive plays in the first half not much of that here in the second half and this is where you look for a wrinkle right something to get your offense going Hayden Hatton has a couple touchdown passes this season he's got the ability for that does Jack Lane check in for some sort of trick play from the backup quarterback spot is there any sort of wrinkle to try and kickart this Idaho offense that stalled out some in this third quarter Patton in motion and McCoy floats it to him with Isaac Duffy in coverage pton pulls it in for a gain of six it's that same field out they've gone to Hayden Hatton several times that was the play on the drive a minute ago where Isaac Duffy had the pass interference bring him across in motion create good leverage it's a good first down play design i' be the final play of the third quarter Idaho also has not really gone Up Tempo here in the third said they would as U Albany most of their interior D line in front seven not a lot of rotating keep these guys in quite a bit but to this point U Albany has not worn down at all played really well down the stretch in this third quarter third quarter 15 minutes to decide the last spot in the FCS semifinals here in Moscow Idaho up by five over U Albany [Applause] [Music] an alltime mascot matchup in the FCS quarterfinals with the Great Danes of U Albany and the vandals of Idaho and we're about to decide the last spot in the FCS semifinals start of the fourth quarter Ted EMR Taylor Mard our entire crew last year javanni McCoy Idaho's quarterback back won the Jerry Rice award the FCS freshman of the year he spent 50 minutes with him in Frisco Texas last January rice told McCoy you got to treat each year like it's your freshman year always stay hungry never take anything for granted and he has kept that in mind here as a red shirt sophomore fourth quarter starts with a run by Nick romano and U Albany gums it up at the 35 yd line so third down upcoming for Idaho Anthony Woods checks back in couple times in this game that they've asked him run the ball between the tackles either in tight Red Zone or on Third and short he's challenged this U alony defense at the point of attack would not be surprised even though they've struggled running the football keeping this on the ground and Jack Lane is in at quarterback brotherly shove time Idaho stop on Third and a yard the 6-2 red shirt freshman here's a sweep for woods and he's got the first down Jason NE told us at walkthr yesterday you know we haven't shown it yet but we might break this out if the situation calls for it and woods picks up five here's the wrinkle off of it they line up originally try to get the hard count well blocked to the right side nice job by Jake Cox Richard sophomore from El Paso sealing off that right side to pick up the first down Woods up to 99 yds on 15 carries plus the touchdown McCoy airs it out and incomplete he wanted Jordan DWI Brad IGI had the assignment for you Albany I go play action double post from the boundary and I actually thought Germaine Jackson the inside underneath post that was what was open see the rush defense 75 yds a game stingy unit for U Albany again going back to that play a moment ago missed opportunity there over top from javanni McCoy [Applause] Coy guns it through the hands of terz trainer Amir Hall he had a big night for U Albany in coverage third and 10 inste one of the things that this offensive staff told us was against this pass rush of U Albany that they would have to feature the screen game try and get the ball out of javanni McCoy's hands quickly I don't think we've seen as much of that as we expected especially the tunnel screens guys like Jordan dwire on on Third and long you know this is a spot U albony will have their ears pinned back coming after the quarterback do they roll move javanni McCoy out of the pocket is there a screen off of this what do they have dialed up here on Third and long McCoy has missed six of his last seven passes third and 10 for the vandals and misses another one as it's through the hands of Alex Moore pass a little tall flag is down at the end of the play Mike Coleman was in coverage there for the Great [Applause] Danes there is no foul for our late hit was the question I had looked like he was playing through did not see that the ball was tipped in real time I thought there was an opportunity for an interception there I thought this ball may be going back the other direction for Mike Coleman he clearly doesn't see that that ball had hit the ground was a good job by this crew having the conversation and picking that [Applause] up and Chavez to punt again oh off the side of his foot did you Aly get a piece of [Applause] that out of and see where it's marked out at the 45 of U Aly media it's just a 15yd punt by Ricardo Chavez time out here in Moscow U Albany has excellent field [Music] position this was just a shank by Ricardo Chavez clearly U Albany getting bodies close to Chavez impacted I don't think there was a hand that got on that having a conversation on the sideline I thought that was just a shank off the side of his foot just a 15yd punt and Reese pfin barer and the great Dan's offense have it at their 45 poffin barer gets rid of it incomplete behind Alexander y Albany has really struggled offensively here in the second half Taylor three three and outs and a turnover yeah and it's been plays like that the U Al has Liv to died by right ree poffenbarger has done such a nice job all season Off Script hitting plays just like that and converting Idaho continuing to get pressure on him Works to his left and just not accurate enough to get it to Roy Alexander in space hoffen Barker one for his last five through the air second Team all conference this year in a final fin IST for FCS offensive player of the year second and 10 lets it Go Easton made the catch but out of bounds got behind Marcus Harris but couldn't go to foot down field judge was right on top of this I thought brev Easton came down with this ball it's a great throw from pen barer over that outside shoulder take another look does he get that right foot down and that looked there see here possession that is bang bang and I think they're going to take another look at this yeah the ruling on the field is an incomplete pass that play is under [Applause] review pen Barker and Easton have connected on both of U Alban's touchdowns tonight and this would be a huge gain if the play is overturned a 40 yd pass another look as we slow it down we looking at that right foot does he have possession while that right foot is down the right foot is in bounds it just comes down to whether or not does he maintain possession or establish possession rather while that right foot is down important that it was called incomplete on the field again do you have enough to overturn it is it clear and obvious enough as the rule book States right foot definitely in bounds but a tough thing with this angle as we zoom in does he have the control of the football at that point before he steps out he this one's tough because it truly is a bang bang play it's clear that he catches the football right it's clear that that right foot is in bounds it's just whether or not review there's enough there to establish yes he had possession while that right foot was in Bound a quick review after review the receiver caught the ball with the foot in bounds it is a completed pass at the 16 yd line first down for Albany and that's been the struggle in this second half Idaho playing man defense the throws underneath have not been there they have not been able to run the football so you're going to have to hit those shot plays over the top and that was the first time in the second half that we've seen you Albany with that connection they've made a play in tight coverage Marcus Harris was not in a bad position that was a great throw and an even better catch by brev East so it's a 39 yd pass to the Idaho 16 you asked the offensive coordinator Jared Ambrose what does pf and Barker like said verts all the time deep shots verts and quarterback power which I've never heard that combination ever in my life could we see the quarterback run game here in the red zone now pen Barker whips it incomplete Hicks sliding in the end zone couldn't come up with it he had him Hicks found the soft spot in the zone this is a seam route and poffin barer is trying to put the ball on him right now just needs to get that up a little [Applause] [Music] bit take another look Hicks comes open right now pen barer tries to rip this ball it's just underthrown a hair hey was open second and 10 woodell motions in give it to him and he gained the edge cut down right near the line of scrimmage maybe a yard on the play Marcus Harris comes up and runs support Trey Thomas doesn't make this tackle but he's part of the reason why this get strung out Watch 21 he's going to come down you see him right there set that edge he forces Griffin woodell to run the hump try to force him to the sideline does a nice job of it and that's where you see the rest of the defense rally to the football banged up a little bit there fael Hayden checks in on Third and long hofen Barker rifles and it's caught by Easton at the 5 yd line first and goal for you Albany great route for R Easton better concentration on this ball armanii Arnold is in a great spot this is good coverage on the curl route if brev Easton doesn't work back to the football this is an incompletion good body control and concentration fighting through catching that football with Romani Arnold behind him a chance to take the lead in the FCS quarterfinals around you Albany has never appeared in before tonight first and goal puffen Barker trying to create and he slings it out look at the struggles U Alan has had running the football that's really going to show itself in the tight Red Zone these windows get smaller everything gets condensed here look at all those black jerseys that's a tough picture for your quarterback to be looking at and this is obvious four down territory in this spot second and goal from the five and Roy Alexander lines up at quarterback The Versatile weapon third game back from injury he dropped the snap Alexander throws at the last moment never had a shot that was a duck Julian Hicks the intended receiver and it's third and goal you Alban's just fortunate that this ended in an incompletion go back to the line of scrimmage glad it didn't wasn't a turnover off the fumble not a sack behind the line of scrimmage or a tackle for loss rather I said obvious four down territory that's assuming you all when he gets this inside the 5 yd line you'll take the points if they don't pick up something here I think you take the points in a game where both offenses have struggled in the second half pofin Barker back in at quarterback rush off the edge pin Barker's pass is incomplete wide of its Target Julian Hicks remains down looks like receiver still down to the boundary time out for an injury to a player on offense Hicks was reaching for it as poen Barger felt The Rush from kesan James Newbie and will step aside fourth and goal for U Albany right after this time [Music] out winner heads to the FCS semifinals and we're in the deep water now here at the P1 FC Kibby doome fourth quarter Julian Hicks is back on his feet and on the U Albany sideline the decision for the great D Taylor is to kick it here like you said fourth and goal take the points cut it to two well and the way that your defense has been playing in this second half you got to trust take the points here if they had gotten inside the 5 yd line maybe you go for it but I agree with the decision to take the points here 22 yds for John opalco Sharp angle but opalco knocks it through so it's a two-point game yet again just like it was at the half when Idaho LED 16 to 14 so that drive stalls for U Albany hit the big pass to Easton for 40 call of incomplete was overturned by Jason X defense Bo up and forcing the field goal there as we check out our quarterbacks tonight Taylor pofin Barker and McCoy they finished one2 in the voting for FCS freshman of the year last season and what a showing so far tonight for both the windows have gotten smaller for both of these quarterbacks in the second half we looked at the comparison earlier that completion percentage looked a lot different for both of them I think you've seen throwing into a lot of man coverage Tight Windows that's where these incompletions have come from in the second half it's going to be about who can be accurate in these small windows down the stretch and when those opportunities are there for those shot plays over the top these quarterbacks have to take advantage [Applause] opalco dribbles it and avoiding Germaine Jackson and jackon eek son of the head coach muscles his way across the 45 well Brevin Easton has had simply a magnificent game for you Albany the second Team all CAA receiver they've gone at brevan Easton all night and it started right out of the gate this was the post over the top for the touchdown they came back to the well with this in the second quarter same thing inside SLO fade he gets turned loose his play was made in the backfield by ree poffenberger keeps his eyes downfield and finds Revan Easton this was the play earlier that was overturned amazing body control to get that right foot down been the go-to target all night for Reese boffin barer and all season movement up front was Anton Jun kaj drawn offs side here offside nope Defense number four in the neutral zone drawing a reaction from the offensive player 5 y penalty still first down and going back to that kick return that's how important Germaine Jackson is the field position that Idaho has right now as you see junk get that early start off the boundary side but because they're so afraid of kicking it to Germaine Jackson They kicked it to the upback and e ends up with the push almost to Midfield off the kick return that just is how how dangerous dermaine Jackson is now with the penalty Idaho is at Midfield first and five Woods slashing oh hurdle over Isaac Duffy picks up a couple to the 48 Anthony Woods over 100 yds tonight when he took that Stutter Step I thought he was about to lower the shoulder into Isaac Duffy the dangers of the hurdle popped up immediately though he's still in the game yeah he's still in I tell you what the reason I'm questioning whether or not he's in CU if I did that ever in my career that would have been it been over torn groin forget about it [Applause] Woods hitting the Sentry Mark second and three McCoy up top Hatton no javanni McCoy is just five of 17 passing in the second half it's the same scheme that Idaho has run on third down most of the night you ALB matches on this third down man defense on the back in tight coverage on Hayden Hatton they're trying to throw the slot fade but the pressure is already on gavan McCoy there's nowhere to go with the football we've really had two different games split by halftime the fireworks show in the first half and the slugfest here in the second half third and three for [Applause] Idaho Here Comes U Albany McCoy floats it for trainer couldn't find it IG Wei with the coverage fourth down for the vandals and Chavez trots out to punt pressure again from U Albany Idaho goes with some motion move across to the field U Albany just replaces that motion with the blitz javanni McCoy trying again for another fade ball in demand coverage an inaccurate throw Koy missing nine of his last 10 passes Chavez shank the last one when only 15 yards This Is A Better Effort Wentz the fair catch at the 15 for U Albany 33 yd punt by Chavez this time so the winner of this one heads to Brookings on Friday to face the top seed unbeaten South Dakota State winners of 20 seven in a row to be exact after they turned away Villanova at home earlier today it's Montana and North Dakota state in the other semi-final Grizzlies winning last night conference fo of [Applause] Idaho and so Ree poffin barer and the Great Danes have another crack at it here under 10 to play w help sticks his nose in picks up five to the 20 help pull to your quarterback first down Run game some of what they've struggled with all night doesn't look like a lot but you'll take five yards on the ground every time on first down what do you want to see from you Albany offensively right now going back to some of the things that Reese pener is most comfortable with move him around some let him use his legs right give a look to Idaho that they haven't seen the majority of this game it's wedell again breaking a tackle and woodell carries it across the 30 yd line a first down and a pickup of 11 maybe the best two consecutive snaps we've seen all night from yuvan's offensive line blocked up well nice job on that right side then that patience from Griffin wood L that you just don't normally see from a freshman really impressed with the Freshman from Glen Falls New York Greg guso says he looks like a kid who should be working at the grocery store but man he can play so can pen Barker Easton is open Out of Bounds incomplete and I don't think they'll review it this time Ted you said it earlier and it spot on a week ago especially against Richmond there were shot plays available for Reese pen barer that were missed just from in accurate throws this is nothing more than pen barter throwing his Man Out of Bounds and on a double move give your guy an opportunity a chance to come down with it in bounds we talked a minute ago about these quarterbacks will have to be good in crunch time inaccurate throw there and a missed [Applause] opportunity hoffen Barker rifles caught by Alexander little behind him Alexander still pulls it in and carries a few vandals across Midfield 24 yds Roy Alexander a nice job again finding the soft spot in zone coverage linebacker Blitz you see X3 Alexander come from the interior Roy Alexander finds that soft spot in the middle of the defense no one there that's back-to-back chunk plays that we've seen one on the ground earlier in this drive then that one through the air some momentum for the Shu alony offense now this drive started at the 15 under eight to play pfin Barker and too much on it again for Alexander Marshall in coverage second and 10 impressed with Andrew Marshall the freshman come in they've tested him several times go back to that slot fade again in good coverage and really it's been blanketed man coverage look at the top right there in the slot he's matched up against Roy Alexander who's had a nice night as well Seven's in a good spot doesn't panic and a nice night for the Freshman woodell on the draw Griffin withell weaving inside the 40 and close to the sticks I believe it'll be third and short for U Albany by far the best drive that we've seen from this U Albany offensive line full left guard left tackle around patience again from Griffin woodell get them to a third and short great D are just four of 14 on third down but they need only a yard here Here Comes The Blitz wedell runs right into it and he's right at the marker Jakari larmen put the cork in the bottle and let's see where it's spotted they needed the 41 yd line and I think this is going to be about a half yard short BRS up fourth down called correct on the field does not look like at any point he leans to pick up that first down opportunity here this has been the drive in the second half that U Alban finally found some momentum can Idaho bow up and get themselves off the Fielder ases the drive continue for the great D face all Laden is taking the place of woodell popping Barker under Center sneaks it kneading a half yard and it looks like he's got it first down for U Albany with 620 to go line judge from the boundary came in immediately signaling for the first down he did not get it by much only needed about a half yard second fourth down conversion for the Great Danes tonight take a look pretty good push in the interior from Idaho does look like right there he's got that half yard that he needed to the 41 get bent back in the interior then coffen barer is unafraid to mix it up coach has told us this week man he is fiery he's going to talk noise to the defense all game first down pfin Barker drops it off to Aiden and Aiden is stopped right there at the 30 gain of five it's going to be a Too Many Men penalty Idaho trying to substitute not able to get like Mias Bertram off the field flag down is on the far side of the field at the 15 here's the call illegal substitution defense 12 M on the field 5yd penalty repeat first down of course if the offense Subs defense is certainly allowed to do the same let's take another look here you said it Taylor Bertram trying to hustle off the [Applause] field and got caught it's been the sloppy part of the game right penalties you see there just combined 15 penalties in this game first and five for you Albany here's woodell on the sweep trying to get around Trey Thomas can't do it Thomas the the sixth year senior transfer from South Dakota no gain on the play there's been a couple times that Griffin woodell has won that matchup it's a Sprint to the sideline and he's made Trey Thomas miss a couple times not on this plate watch from the right side flying downhill great open field tackle from Trey Thomas under five to play the semifinals in the FCS Championship awaiting the winner hoffen Barker on the roll out off his back foot there's Easton and it's a touchdown a hatrick for puffen barer and Easton tonight 30 yards and U Albany is on top this is having trust in your receiver gree pen Barger is throwing this to a spot when he lets go of this ball brev Easton is not open he's putting this to the back corner of the end zone trusting that brev Easton is going to run under this delayed roll Brevin Easton's turned back looking over the right shoulder pen barer is throwing that to a spot and letting his guy go make a play now we'll see the Great Danes go for [Applause] two to make it a six-point game and how about the shift here wedell is lined up with most of the lineman top ofier picture poppen barer oh that play never had a chance trying to get it to rener the tight end James Newbie time out had the pressure Easton might be shaken up after his third touchdown 228 yards and three touchdowns on nine catches tonight for Brevin Easton and the Great Danes have the lead on the [Music] road U Albany in their first ever FCS quarterfinal now has its first lead of the night as Brevin Easton lets loose done it on and off the field the emotion pouring out of him three touchdowns tonight 64 39 and now 30 yds for you Albany Idaho just can't cover him down the field I think it's Reese poffenbarger just proven the trust that he has in brevan E because some of these looks when he's let go of the football Easton's still covered and that just proves that connection that those two have once again popping it up and avoiding Jackson and one of the up backs fair catch for Idaho back to the score again poffenberger working to his right right here Easton has turned back around over his right shoulder has to flip back around and that just shows poffenberger put this to a spot on the field said back corner of the end zone I trust Easton to flip his hips get around over the left shoulder and make a play he's all night in the biggest spots he's answered the bell for his quarterback job not finished that's not do his work defense okay then he says we're not finished watch my boys work on defense Idaho trailing for the first time tonight 438 remaining javanni McCoy just five of 18 in the second half that's a good start to this drive Hayden Hatton over 100 yards for the 16th time in his career pushed out by IG Weeki after a gain of 12 they do such a nice job getting to this spot with that field out they've gone to it all night that's a tough throw for quarterbacks been really impressed with javanni McCoy consistently going to this working out again to the field side it's a long throw ball has to travel a long way it's accurate gives his receiver an opportunity to catch it and get up field Pon 10 grabs 114 yds [Applause] Woods carries Dylan Kelly with him to the 48 pick up a four ran right into the teeth of the Blitz and Dylan Kelly nice job fighting off a block there's a chance there I thought that may get broken for a big play for Idaho good tackle by Dylan Kelly Taylor you saw Woods kind of Limp B up the field there so Romano comes back in three and a half to go Idaho does have all three [Applause] [Music] timeouts Blitz up the middle from Kelly McCoy lets it Go hatton's got it inside the U Albany 40 it's the same style throw number 59 for Idaho must sit One play because his helmet came off without a foul Kaden robnet has to come out and they're dealing with issues at the left guard spot right now Nate azop party had to come out issue with his cleat a moment ago but this the same style throw that's a soft spot in the defense that field out they went to it on first down a minute ago go back to it to pick up another first down to Hayden Hatton [Applause] when Idaho's in trouble McCoy looks hatton's way looking that way again on first down hit by June caj scooped up by Elijah Hills and finally the U Albany pass rush has come through the great Dan's take over with 246 remaining on the first sack of the night waited all night for this pass rush to really show its teeth and when it mattered most they get home off of the left side it'll be the right here Jun kaj right there McCoy with that ball he's got it out in the right hand needs to have that better ball security watch as he gets flushed separates the ball just has one hand on it and Jun kaj able to strike down caus the force fumble that's cleaned up by Elijah Hills Jun CA just took over the national lead and set the school record with his 15th sack of the Season can you imagine a better time for it a strip sack no less woodell on first down is turned around at the line of scrimmage no gain as Trey Thomas hit him the Ki Dome is stunned timeout with 234 remaining you aliny so close to the FCS semifinals history for Anton Jun caj one of the Premier pass rushers in college football his strip sack just gave him the New Albany record 15 sacks this year and the great D now are trying to put this game on Ice 240 remaining Idaho down to two timeouts Griffin woodell powers to the 40 before being knocked back he gains five and it's third and five for you all as Idaho calls it second time out second charge timeout of the second half this will be a 13 second timeout go back to the strip sack Jun kaj bending the edge again McCoy gets that ball out away from him and all night offensive line for Idaho done done a nice job limiting that pass rush from Jun kaj and AJ Simon but that time Jun kaj gets the best of that right side beats Charlie blim off the [Music] edge and now opportunity they can pick up the first down game is thank you sealed for the most part U Albany would be headed to the semifinal pay attention to where 87 Ian reneger is if they move him around he's the favorite lead blocker for Griffin woodell they've got him into the boundary right now five yds for basically a spot in the semis hoffen barer pulls it spins Powers muscles inside the 35 for the first down funny name serious quarterback reys puffen Barker moves the chains with just over two to go and at first Contact this looks like he's dead to rights they you go Zone option and put the ball in their quarterback's hands right here X3 Alexander has the opportunity for a tackle for loss in the backfield gets the P read and right there I thought this was tackle for loss Idaho football breaks through that tackle spin move again and that's effort and want to from a warrior quarterback in ree pen barer wadell crunched after a gain of two and Idaho now called it's final timeout I believe timeout Idaho this is their third and final charge timeout of the second half this will be a 1C timeout by far the quietest we have heard the Kibby Dome since we've been here it stunned crowd it led all game coming right out of the gate has most of the the momentum for most of the night you all that he scrapping and clawing especially in this second half Ted they had almost no production in the third quarter struggled moving the football finally found got back to their identity found some momentum in the fourth quarter leaned on their o line finally starting to ground out some of the rushing attack with Griffin woodell then hit that home run ball over the top for brevan E's third touchdown if Idaho can somehow stop you Albany the next couple of plays they would preserve a few seconds but again the vandals cannot stop the clock anymore second and eight wedell jams up inside the [Music] 30 I mean this is a year that has reawakened Idaho football go back to the 80s and early 90s in the FCS so many playoff runs in the abyss in the FBS for 22 years just three Bowl appearances and back-to- back playoff appearances under Jason X since he took over but now 60 seconds remaining and it's just been an incredible run on the other side for you Albany two losses early in the year to FBS opponents time out ALB that is their second charge timeout of the second half the two losses this will be a 13 second timeout early in the season of Marshall and Hawaii FBS opponents but played well in both of those games had a chance to beat Marshall and at the loss to New Hampshire this would be assuming they Clos this out a trip to Brooking South Dakota in a semi-final match up unbelievable run that U Albany has been on this season opportunity to close it out here in the closing seconds this is U Alban's 25th year in the FCS and they have executed one of the best turnarounds in division one college football from three wins last year to 10 this year and they can smell number 11 Idaho out of timeouts third and five and woodell seals it [Applause] touchdown it is academic in Moscow Griffin woodell ties the ribbon on this FCS quarterfinal exclamation point Idaho must sit One play because his helmet came off without a foul Griffin woodell splits the defense and puts the exclamation point on this incredible night for the U albony Great Danes I think I think his head coach Greg kuso wanted him to go down think he may be a little bit upset that his freshman running back ended up putting it in the end zone but pick up the first down slide it's over take a knee but woodell visits the end zone for the eighth time on the ground this season and it's 30 to9 46 seconds to goony and number 24 for Idaho must sit for One play because their helmets came off without a foul you know Greg ATO was named the ca Coach of the Year this season as the Idaho fans head for the exits and right into the winter weather awaiting them outside guso is also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson award which goes to the FCS National coach of the year now Jimmy Rogers was named the winner of that one in his first year as South Dakota State's head coach but guso was a finalist the job he has done go back to 2019 when he led you Albany to the playoffs and the pandemic hits almost immediately and he says we couldn't recruit off that we didn't practice for almost a full year Well he said the momentum that was built from 2019 that momentum died on the vine during Co said they struggled regaining momentum in the spring season of 2021 and then going into the fall last season all the close losses really struggled with the three and8 record but felt like they were right there they just couldn't close it out credited obviously his quarterback ree poffenbarger with a lot of the turnaround this season but also some of what they picked up in the portal Amir Hall Bill Hackett the secondary and all of those close losses they couldn't close out a year ago Romano on the return for Idaho and knocked out by opalco the kicker just past the [Applause] 45 the matchups again a year ago that they weren't able to close out did that and more this season at the FCS level just the one loss on the road at New Hampshire they didn't play Richmond in the regular season that's why you ended up with that tie for the C AA Championship but they left no doubt in their second round matchup timeout Albany there their third and final charge timeout of the second half this will be a 13c timeout and so this year coming off the three- win season Taylor U Albany was picked to finish 11th out of 15 teams in the CAA and players and gusa were like okay we'll show them we were in so many close games games last year in fact the last two years combined U Albany went one and 10 in one possession games this year two and two well there there's a handful of factors the first piece starts with having good players right having guys off the edge AJ Simon Anton junos like we've talked about then having a quarterback on the other side that's been as fantastic as ree poffenbarger has been oh by the way they've also coming into this game plus 10 in the turnover margin as well took care of the football created takeaways on the other side it's all led to this magical season in this run that they've been on Idaho with only three points in the second half Coy dumps [Applause] it and Romano has it inside the 40 yd line clock stopped at 35 seconds this is why going back to the touchdown a minute ago from Griffin woodell still giving it's not great odds in the favor of the vandals but if he goes down after picking up that first down this game's over you take one knee and it's over instead theoretically field goal for Idaho when you can preserve some time onside kick Hail Mary yes it's a miracle but that's on the table with 35 seconds left we'll just try to put it in the end zone here first McCoy to Hatton Out of Bounds at the 32 first down with 30 seconds left that's exactly what they're going to do right now bring out Ricardo Chavez you need two scores anyway still with 30 seconds left on the clock he knocks this through pick up the onside kick you at least give yourself the opportunity to have a couple plays shots at the end [Applause] zone so Chavez from 50 missed from 52 twice in this [Music] [Applause] game and Chavez connects so the lead is eight 25 seconds left now you absolutely have to have the onside kick but the game's not over go back to those misses from Ricardo Chavez all three of which were long range were tough field goals one of which off the crossbar another pushed out to the right a little bit but how impactful would those have been have even one of those had gone through earlier in the game for Idaho this will be a tough for a number of reasons but go back there were so many opportunities especially in the second half shot plays that were missed chances for them to stay on the field that weren't converted and then credit to you Albany making plays in the fourth quarter especially when it [Music] mattered so could Logan Prescott pull off some magic [Applause] here Idaho has to recover it they don't U Albany pulls it in Maris Deets on the hands team and now it's over one knee will do it and you Albany with Greg cuso as their head coach will pick up their first ever win outside of the Eastern Time Zone 0 and eight all time coming in remember they took the trip to Hawaii back in week three it felt like they were unfazed coming only all the way to Moscow Idaho and now the celebration is on as Greg guso describes himself as just a big teddy bear handing out hugs all over the place Popp and Barker with the knee the hashtag for you Albany on social media is UA you know now the College Football world knows the Great Danes are headed to the FCS semifinals for the first time ever and as they come to the Kibby Dome and knock off Idaho that is the end of the ball [Music] game Greg guso told us said when he prep preps for any of these games even in the playoffs it's always us it's never them and I thought that was the Mantra that his team carried tonight even when it looked Bleak they were struggling on offense his guys made plays down the stretch when it mattered most and his quarterback Ree pener and that connection to brevan Easton that came up big and then the strip sack from Anon junj waited all game for impact for four unbelievable play when it mattered most and U Albany head coach Greg guso joins us now Greg first of all congratulations on the win those hugs just have to feel so good you're passing them around but more than anything allowed your team to push through tonight they just been like this all year played tough you know I knew that we could keep just fighting we could get a shot you know they're a good team but the second half I thought our defense really stood up and and I you saw some explosives out of our offense it's a massive win for us we're going to the final four pretty fired up coach that third quarter looked like your offense had started to sputter and then when it mattered most that third touchdown from Ree poffenbarger to brevan East just talk to us about that connection between those two tonight uh this guy's unbelievable you know he he runs around he makes big plays throw to brev down the sideline BR makes a great catch but it's a special throw and uh we're just blessed to have a really good football team right now we're excited about uh getting up early and flying to sou toota State baby we're ready we'll be ready to go Greg you was there anything said on the sideline to your defense and specifically Anton Jun kaj they had been pushing they had been trying all night to get to javanni McCoy and obviously made one of the defining plays of the game there in the final minutes yeah you know I talk to them all the great the lineman I've ever coached have been around they it's a it's a continuous pressure and eventually you break through and he broke through at a big moment in the game and and that's what we do you know it's not about sacks everyone thinks it's sacks it's pressure and hitting the quarterback and it was a great play by those guys and uh my hats off to them Greg congrat congratulations you can pass the headset over to your quarterback if he's still there next to you he might be he's still here don't worry he never leaves my side so well yeah I mean that's your Doppelganger from Halloween yeah that's yeah I think I look better than him in that outfit but I don't know all right guys thank you thank you Greg okay so and Rees pen Barker joins us now Rees Ted and Taylor here upstairs first of all congratulations on the victory tonight apprciate it thank you very much what allowed you and brevan Easton to connect like you did all night long just trust you know it didn't didn't happen today you know didn't walk out on the field and think you I'm going to work BR today you know uh it's really just who's hot when you got as many Playmakers as we do you know I'm kind of frustrated I miss some touchdown opportunities um and I think we had like two or three miscommunications and we got C it up for next week but you know me and BR been working at this you know for a very long time uh he's from Maryland you know we're both from Maryland he grew up he he used to uh catch for my quarterback trainer and um it's been a long time coming man he nobody puts more work in than that kid and you know I'm getting you know doing this interview and getting credit but you couldn't guard him tonight so reys we know the third quarter was a struggle Idaho defense playing well talk to us about the resiliency of this team to fight through and come up with those plays that you needed in the fourth quarter when the first part of that second half had been a struggle yeah I mean we got the best defense in the country I didn't have a doubt for a second you know they were moving the ball on us but they never broke you know they bent a little bit but they didn't break and they make plays when they need to I was going up down the sideline screaming out and letting them know you know hey usually you know they're accustomed to getting 15 sacks a game so you know they they were a little down on themselves a little bit you know but they never folded and I told him you know a million times you're going to make a big play I went up to AJ Simon right before that drive and I told him ironically I said dude you're going you're going to change the game right here okay lock in we're not going home went and strip sacked him and got the ball end of the game so Reese this team has made history you you've never been this far in the FCS and it's your team that is now in the semi finals can you sum up what this ride is like right now it's special you know you're with your best friends that's what makes this team so cool is you know we're we're all so close you know it's the plane rides it's the bus rides it's the fact that we've traveled you know more miles and and more time traveling than any other team in the country this year you know FBS or FCS it doesn't matter and we spent more time together than anybody else that's what that means to me you know I don't look at it as a bad thing I look at it you know I get to spend more time with my best friends and it translates to the field Reese congratulations on the win thanks so much for the time I appreciate it thank you very much Reese pfin barer 341 yards and three touchdowns tell you what the uh City Line Bar in Albany right now they hosted the watch party for you Albany it is 148 on the East Coast shots all around right now I think no doubt and this you Albany team the gutty performance the way that they won this game it was not pretty they did not dominate for four quarters they played a really good team on the other side side in Idaho and they made the plays when they needed to in the fourth quarter and their Superstars showed up when it mattered most they'll need them next week but they created history here tonight in 1977 a team coached by Bob Ford went to the division 3 semifinals now in the FCS U Albany headed to the semi-finals in 2023 it'll be New Albany in South Dakota State Friday on ESPN 2 that'll do it from Moscow and the Kibby Dome thanks so much for joining us for Taylor mccar and our entire crew this is Ted Emer saying so long the semifinals are now set in the [Applause] FCS