Sacramento State edges Idaho in close contest
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 9:00 PM ET · Hornet Stadium
Sacramento State Hornets 23, Idaho Vandals 20, final. Our NCAAF picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Idaho Vandals vs Sacramento State Hornets?
Sacramento State Hornets beat Idaho Vandals 23-20 at Hornet Stadium on November 15, 2025.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Sacramento State Hornets narrowly defeated the Idaho Vandals with a final score of 23-20. This game took place at Hornet Stadium and showcased the Hornets' recent strong form, as they entered the contest with a record of 7-4, while the Vandals were struggling at 4-7.
Sacramento State has been on a positive trajectory, winning six of their last ten games, including a two-game winning streak leading into this matchup. Their scoring average during this stretch was impressive, with the Hornets averaging 35.5 points per game while allowing 26.4. Their recent victories included a dominant 52-24 win against Portland State and a 35-13 win over Eastern Washington, demonstrating their offensive capabilities.
Idaho, on the other hand, faced challenges in their recent outings, holding a record of 4-6 in their last ten games. They entered the game on a one-game losing streak after falling 14-28 to UC Davis. The Vandals averaged 26.6 points scored per game and allowed 25.7 points, indicating a somewhat balanced but inconsistent performance. Their last win came against Northern Arizona, where they triumphed 35-32.
When analyzing home and away performances, Sacramento State maintained a solid home record of 3-2, while Idaho struggled on the road with a record of 1-4. This trend added to the Hornets' advantage as they hosted the game.
In terms of previous meetings, the history between these two teams has been competitive, but the recent form of Sacramento State positioned them as favorites in this matchup. The market reflected this sentiment, with the Hornets having a home win probability of 1.0, indicating strong confidence from oddsmakers regarding their chances to win.
Injuries can often impact game outcomes, but the block does not provide specific details regarding player availability for either team. However, the absence of key players can significantly affect performance, especially in close games like this.
The conditions for the game were not detailed in the block, but typically, weather and field conditions can play a role in the performance of both teams, particularly in late-season matchups.
Viewers were treated to a showcase of resilience from both sides, with Sacramento State ultimately securing the victory in what was a hard-fought battle. The Hornets' ability to maintain their winning streak and the Vandals' struggle to capitalize on opportunities were key themes throughout the game.
Leaders
- Passing yardsCardell Williams14/18, 176 YDS, 1 TDSacramento State Hornets
- Rushing yardsJaQuail Smith14 CAR, 122 YDSSacramento State Hornets
- Receiving yardsErnest Campbell6 REC, 61 YDS, 1 TDSacramento State Hornets
- Passing yardsJoshua Wood15/26, 162 YDS, 1 INTIdaho Vandals
- Rushing yardsJoshua Wood14 CAR, 117 YDS, 1 TDIdaho Vandals
- Receiving yardsNolan McWilliams2 REC, 49 YDSIdaho Vandals
Recent form
Sacramento State Hornets
Last 10: 6-4Streak W235.5 scored · 26.4 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W52-24at Portland State VikingsNov 8
- W35-13at Eastern Washington EaglesNov 1
- L35-49vs Montana GrizzliesOct 25
- W40-35vs Northern Colorado BearsOct 19
- W55-27at Weber State WildcatsOct 12
- L24-32vs Cal Poly MustangsSep 28
- W45-16vs Central Arkansas BearsSep 21
- W49-28vs Mercyhurst LakersSep 14
- L17-20at Nevada Wolf PackSep 6
- L3-20at South Dakota State JackrabbitsAug 30
Idaho Vandals
Last 10: 4-6Streak L126.6 scored · 25.7 allowed per game1-4 away
- L14-28vs UC Davis AggiesNov 9
- W35-32at Northern Arizona LumberjacksNov 1
- W45-6vs Portland State VikingsOct 25
- L14-21at Eastern Washington EaglesOct 18
- L33-49vs Northern Colorado BearsOct 11
- L30-41at Montana GrizzliesSep 28
- L28-31at San José State SpartansSep 20
- W20-6vs Utah Tech TrailblazersSep 13
- W37-30vs St. Thomas-Minnesota TommiesSep 6
- L10-13at Washington State CougarsAug 31
Standings
| Team | Overall | In conference |
|---|---|---|
| Cal Poly | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Montana | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Montana State | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Northern Arizona | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| UC Davis | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Weber State | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Idaho State | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Eastern Washington | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Idaho | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Northern Colorado | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Portland State | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Southern Utah | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Utah Tech | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Eastern Michigan | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Akron | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Ball State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Bowling Green | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Buffalo | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Central Michigan | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Kent State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Massachusetts | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Miami (OH) | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Ohio | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Toledo | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Western Michigan | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Sacramento State | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Box score
| Stat | Idaho Vandals | Sacramento State Hornets |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 19 | 25 |
| Third downs | 7-12 | 4-13 |
| Fourth downs | 0-0 | 3-5 |
| Total yards | 355 | 458 |
| Net passing yards | 162 | 176 |
| Completions | 15/26 | 14/18 |
| Yards per pass | 6.2 | 9.8 |
| Rushing yards | 193 | 282 |
| Rushing attempts | 29 | 58 |
| Yards per rush | 6.7 | 4.9 |
| Penalties | 5-55 | 6-52 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 26:46 | 33:14 |
Win probability
Above the line favours Sacramento State Hornets, below favours Idaho Vandals.
Venue
- Hornet StadiumSacramento, CA
- Attendance15467
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