MOSCOW, Idaho — Jack Layne showcased a remarkable performance by completing 16 of 22 passes for a total of 318 yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, Zach Johnson made a significant impact by returning an interception 76 yards for a touchdown. This impressive display helped the eighth-seeded Idaho team secure a 34-13 victory over Lehigh in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday night.

With this victory, Idaho, boasting a 10-3 record, is set to face the top-seeded Montana State in the quarterfinals. Montana State, a rival from the Big Sky Conference, previously defeated the Vandals 38-7 in their earlier matchup on October 12 in Bozeman, Montana.

Layne’s early connection with Jordan Dwyer proved pivotal, as they teamed up for a 5-yard touchdown pass during a commanding 14-play, 80-yard drive that consumed nearly seven minutes of the game clock, allowing Idaho to score first with just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter. Later, in the second quarter, Layne and Dwyer connected again for a longer 67-yard touchdown pass. Layne then found Mark Hamper for a 42-yard touchdown pass just before halftime, extending the lead to 19-3.

The matchup against Lehigh marked the second meeting between the two teams, with Idaho having previously dominated their only other encounter on November 13, 1993, winning by a lopsided score of 77-14 at home.

In the first half of the game, Lehigh’s Nick Garrido managed to kick field goals of 35 and 39 yards, contributing to the Mountain Hawks’ score. Dante Perri’s 1-yard touchdown run in the final moments of the match capped off the scoring for Lehigh.

This victory allowed Idaho to achieve double-digit wins for only the third time in the program’s history. Previously, the Vandals won 11 games in both 1988 and 1993, during which they advanced to the national semifinals.

On the other hand, Lehigh’s season marked significant improvement, achieving nine wins—a seven-win increase from their two victories last season under the leadership of coach Kevin Cahill.