When Montana State faced off with the University of Idaho back in October it was a game with massive Big Sky Conference implications, the Bobcats won in resounding fashion 38-7 at Bobcat Stadium in a nationally televised game on ESPN2.
The game came with a big “but” however, as the Vandals were without ace quarterback Jack Layne. The Bobcats jumped out to a big lead. Nick Josifek, who had been third string but started, was knocked out with a broken collarbone (the same injury that cost Layne the early part of this season) as MSU cruised to a surprisingly easy win.
Layne, a shaggy haired sophomore from Lake Oswego, Oregon, is looking forward to the rematch.
“These are the kinds of atmospheres you dream of playing in,” Layne said. “Their crowd always delivers. It’s a great environment; super fun to be in that kind of environment. It was cool last time, and I hope the crowd is even better this time.”
Idaho head coach Jason Eck is looking forward to having Layne in the game this time around.
“Obviously, we gotta flip the script on Montana State,” Eck said. “They kicked our butts in October, so we gotta play a lot better. It is exciting to know we got Jack Layne back, who didn’t play in that game.”
Layne broke his clavicle at the end of UI’s season opener at No. 1 Oregon and didn’t return until the Vandals’ ninth game against Eastern Washington. Since then, he’s been on fire. Over four games, Layne has connected on 68 of 99 passes for 1,070 yards and 11 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Those numbers equate to a passer rating of 192.1. His season rating is at 173.7 with the only Big Sky Conference quarterback ahead of him being MSU’s Tommy Mellott, who is at 183.9.
“I’m excited, man,” Layne said. “These are the kind of games the little me would be proud of to see me play in. It’s what you dream of and I’m excited to attack the week and get a chance, get a crack at them.
“It’s a great atmosphere. It’s really what big time college football is all about. When I think of big time college football, that’s what I think of. The crowd was awesome and I’m hoping for an even bigger crowd this Friday. It’s what you dream of as a kid growing up.”
By comparison, the two quarterbacks filling in for him were just 138.8 in the passer rating department and the Vandals were just 6-2 in the games he missed, while going 4-0 in the FCS games he started. His lone loss was to the No.1 FBS team in the nation – the Oregon Ducks – in their season opener.
“Obviously getting Layne back at quarterback is big for them,” MSU head coach Brent Vigen said. “That’s not to say that Josifek and Wagner didn’t do well for them but obviously there’s a reason Layne was picked as the starter out of camp.
“Their passing game has the ability to be really explosive with (wide receivers Jordan) Dwyer and (Mark) Hamper. Dwyer went over 1,000 yards and Hamper is right short of 1,000.”
Dwyer has 67 receptions for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hamper sits at 46 catches for 955 yards and six touchdowns.
After Josifek left the game, Jack Wagner came on. Neither quarterback was effective and the Vandal’ offense didn’t score until their last drive of the game, finding paydirt with just :43 to play. Josifek was 5 for 8 for 42 yards, while Wagner went 11 for 23 for 134 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The combined effort resulted in a passer rating of just 103.5.
“It’s certainly reassuring for you to have your starting quarterback back,” Eck said. “I think we’re playing better on offense and scoring more points than we have been.”
Layne came on late last season when Idaho’s star quarterback Gevani McCoy sat out the school’s rivalry game against Idaho State. He would put up video game numbers by connecting on 20 of 26 passes for 275 yards and six touchdowns as the Vandals rolled to a 63-21. Based on that the expectations were high at the quarterback position entering the 2024 season despite McCoy transferring to Oregon State.
“His ability to throw the ball down the field is better, in my opinion,” Vigen said of Layne’s skills in comparison to the other Idaho quarterbacks. “I think he throws with great touch; I think he throws with anticipation. He’s capable of extending plays, but they don’t necessarily run him a lot. He’s got good command and they’ve done a good job with him.”
Layne would lead the Vandals to an impressive near upset over now No. 1 Oregon in Eugene to start the season. He brought them back from a 14-0 halftime deficit with a touchdown pass and a touchdown run to cut the Ducks lead to 17-14. Oregon would answer Layne’s second touchdown immediately to go up 24-14 and that score held.
Layne suffered a broken collarbone on the last possession of the game, but the Vandals beat FBS Wyoming the following week and looked like a formidable team only to fall to UC Davis three weeks later and then MSU two weeks after that without Layne.
Idaho enters this Friday night’s game on a six-game winning streak of which Layne has started four. The games Layne started, the Vandals have won by an average of 15 points per outing compared to seven in the other two games.
After scoring just seven points the last time they were in Bozeman, the Vandals are unquestionably motivated to make amends for that effort this Friday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Whether they do that or not most likely begins with the play of Layne.
