What Is 2022 Idaho Vandals football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2022 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the NCAA FCS season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Jason Eck. They competed in the Big Sky Conference and played home games at the Kibbie Dome.

Key Facts

The 2022 Idaho Vandals finished the season with a 6–5 overall record.
Head coach Jason Eck led the team in his first season after taking over in December 2021.
The Vandals played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor stadium on campus.
They competed in the Big Sky Conference, facing teams like Montana and Eastern Washington.
Quarterback Gevani McCoy was named Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2022.

Overview

The 2022 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho during the NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Big Sky Conference, the team was led by first-year head coach Jason Eck, who took over the program following the departure of previous coach Paul Petrino. The Vandals played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an iconic indoor facility located on the university's campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The season marked a transition year for the program, as Idaho reintegrated into the FCS ranks after a brief stint in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) from 2018 to 2020. Despite not qualifying for the FCS playoffs, the 2022 campaign laid a foundation for future success, highlighted by strong performances from young talent and a competitive conference slate. The team finished with a winning record, a notable achievement given the coaching change and roster turnover.

Record: The Vandals ended the 2022 season with a 6–5 overall record, including a 5–3 mark in Big Sky Conference play.
Head Coach: Jason Eck was hired in December 2021 and led the team in his inaugural season, bringing experience from New Mexico and Minnesota.
Home Field: The Kibbie Dome, a domed stadium on the University of Idaho campus, hosted all home games and has a capacity of approximately 16,000.
Key Player: Freshman quarterback Gevani McCoy started multiple games and earned Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors for his performance.
Conference: Idaho competed in the Big Sky Conference, one of the premier FCS leagues, facing regional rivals such as Montana, Eastern Washington, and Sacramento State.

Season Performance

The 2022 season featured a mix of close losses and decisive wins, reflecting the team's rebuilding phase under new leadership. Idaho showed improvement as the season progressed, particularly on offense, where the young quarterback corps gained valuable experience. The defense remained competitive, ranking in the top half of the Big Sky in several statistical categories.

Season Opener: Idaho opened the season with a 38–3 victory over Western Oregon, a Division II team, on September 3, 2022.
Non-Conference Play: The Vandals faced tough non-conference opponents, including a 35–13 loss to Washington State of the Pac-12 on September 17.
Conference Wins: Idaho secured key victories over Northern Arizona (31–13) and Southern Utah (24–17), both on the road.
Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Isaiah Ware recorded 87 tackles, leading the team and ranking among the top defenders in the conference.
Offensive Growth: The team averaged 26.7 points per game, a significant improvement over the previous season, fueled by a balanced rushing and passing attack.
Season Finale: The Vandals closed the season with a 31–14 win over rival Idaho State in the Battle of the Domes on November 19, 2022.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2022 Idaho Vandals compared to select Big Sky Conference teams across key performance metrics:

h>Conference Record

Team	Overall Record	Points Per Game	Head Coach
Idaho Vandals	6–5	5–3	26.7	Jason Eck
Montana	7–4	6–2	29.1	Bobby Hauck
Eastern Washington	7–4	6–2	31.5	Chris Tormey (interim)
UC Davis	7–4	5–3	27.3	Dan Hawkins
Idaho State	3–8	2–6	20.5	Chris Creighton

The table illustrates that Idaho performed competitively within the conference, finishing just behind top teams like Montana and Eastern Washington. Their scoring output and defensive consistency placed them in the upper middle of the Big Sky standings. The win over Idaho State in the season finale preserved their winning record and provided momentum heading into the 2023 season.

Why It Matters

The 2022 season was pivotal for the Idaho football program as it marked the beginning of a new era under head coach Jason Eck. Rebuilding after a challenging FBS experiment, the Vandals demonstrated resilience and potential, particularly in player development and conference competitiveness. The season laid the groundwork for future recruiting success and program stability.

Program Stability: Hiring Jason Eck brought continuity, as he retained key staff and focused on long-term development rather than quick fixes.
Youth Development: The emergence of freshman quarterback Gevani McCoy signaled a bright future for the offense under Eck’s leadership.
Recruiting Boost: A winning season helped improve Idaho’s visibility, aiding in attracting regional talent from Washington and Oregon.
Conference Relevance: Idaho remained competitive in the Big Sky, maintaining its reputation as a tough opponent for playoff-bound teams.
Fan Engagement: Improved performance led to increased attendance and renewed interest in the program after years of decline.
Future Outlook: The 2022 season set the stage for continued improvement, with expectations rising for the 2023 campaign and beyond.

Overall, the 2022 Idaho Vandals football team represented a turning point in the program’s recent history. With a solid foundation now in place, the Vandals are positioned to become a consistent contender in the FCS landscape.