When the Lehigh Mountain Hawks football vs Idaho Vandals football matchup popped up on the FCS playoff bracket in late 2024, most people outside of Eastern Pennsylvania or the Idaho Panhandle probably didn't know what to expect. Honestly, why would they? These two programs exist in completely different universes. One is a Patriot League staple tucked away in Bethlehem, defined by "The Rivalry" with Lafayette and academic prestige. The other is a Big Sky powerhouse that plays inside a literal wooden dome in Moscow, Idaho, and has spent the last few years scaring the living daylights out of FBS teams like Oregon.
But then they met.
The December 7, 2024, clash at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome wasn't just another game. It was a massive culture shock for a young Lehigh squad that had just pulled off the biggest single-season turnaround in their 130-year history. After a miserable 2-9 campaign in 2023, Kevin Cahill had these kids winning nine games and a playoff thriller against Richmond. Then they had to fly 2,100 miles to a place where the air is different and the noise is deafening.
The Kibbie Dome Factor
If you've never seen a game at the Kibbie Dome, it’s hard to explain. It’s not a shiny NFL stadium. It’s a 15,250-seat indoor arena that feels like a pressurized vessel when the Vandal faithful start screaming. For a Lehigh team that usually plays at the picturesque, open-air Goodman Stadium, this was a nightmare scenario.
Idaho, led by Jason Eck, came in as the No. 8 national seed. They weren't just "good for the Big Sky." They were elite. They had already pushed the No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks to the brink earlier that season, losing by only 10 points in a game that made the national media do a double-take.
The Mountain Hawks entered the building as massive underdogs, and it didn't take long for the Vandals to show why.
Breaking the "No Big Play" Rule
Coming into that second-round playoff game, Lehigh’s defense had a pretty impressive stat: they hadn't allowed a single completion over 36 yards all season. Not one. They were the masters of "bend but don't break."
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Idaho broke them.
Vandal quarterback Jack Layne, finally healthy and looking every bit like a top-tier FCS signal-caller, dismantled that secondary. He finished 16-of-22 for 318 yards and three touchdowns. But it wasn't just the efficiency; it was the distance.
- The 62-yard bomb: In the second quarter, Jordan Dwyer got behind the Lehigh coverage. Layne hit him in stride. It was the longest play Lehigh had surrendered all year.
- The 42-yard strike: Minutes later, Mark Hamper faked a slant and just took off. Layne found him for another score.
Just like that, the 19-6 halftime lead felt like 50. Lehigh's identity was built on preventing the big play, and Idaho decided to ignore the script entirely.
That 74-Yard Dagger
There was a moment in the third quarter where it felt like Lehigh might actually make a game of it. They moved the ball. They were scrappy. But then Zach Johnson, Idaho’s redshirt freshman linebacker, happened.
Lehigh’s young quarterback, Hayden Johnson—who, for the record, showed a ton of heart as a true freshman—tried to force a pass on fourth down near the Idaho 35. Zach Johnson read it perfectly. He didn't just tip it; he housed it.
He ran 74 yards for an interception touchdown, the longest in Idaho playoff history.
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That was the game.
The final score was 34-13. It looked dominant on paper, and in many ways, it was. But if you look closer, Lehigh actually outgained Idaho on the ground, 169 to 92. Luke Yoder and Hayden Johnson were finding gaps. The problem was that every time Lehigh got close to the red zone, the Vandal defense turned into a brick wall.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Matchup
A lot of casual fans think the Patriot League is just "Ivy League Lite" and can't compete with the Big Sky. While the score was 34-13, Idaho coach Jason Eck was surprisingly complimentary of the Mountain Hawks. He noted that Lehigh’s defensive front was one of the toughest they had seen all year.
The real gap wasn't in "toughness." It was in explosiveness.
Idaho has a track record of producing 1,000-yard receivers under Eck. Jordan Dwyer hit that mark during this very game, finishing with 166 yards. Lehigh’s Mason Humphrey had a great game (6 catches for 98 yards), but they just didn't have that "home run" speed to match the Vandals' vertical attack.
The 2025 and 2026 Outlook
So, what happens now? Lehigh is no longer in "rebuild" mode. Kevin Cahill has made it clear: they want to emulate the Idaho model. In 2025, Lehigh returned a massive core, including Geoffrey Jamiel and Jaden Green. They even added high-level transfers to shore up the offensive line.
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Idaho, meanwhile, remains a perennial contender. Even with roster turnover, their 4-2-5 defensive scheme under Dan Jackson is a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators.
Here is the reality of the Lehigh vs. Idaho rivalry (if you can call it that):
The two teams have only met twice in history. The first was a weird late-season trip in 1993 where Idaho won 77-14. The second was this 2024 playoff game. While the gap is closing, the Kibbie Dome remains one of the hardest places in the country for an East Coast team to win.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If these two meet again in the 2025 or 2026 playoffs—which is entirely possible given their current trajectories—here is what you need to watch:
- The Travel Tax: Lehigh's performance dipped significantly after that cross-country flight. Look for the "home-field dome advantage" to be worth at least 7-10 points in any Idaho home game.
- Third Down Efficiency: In their last meeting, Idaho converted over 50% of their third downs. Lehigh struggled to get off the field. Watch the defensive line rotations; if Lehigh can't pressure the QB with four, they’re in trouble.
- Freshman Growth: Hayden Johnson survived the "Dome" as a freshman. By 2025 or 2026, his poise in loud environments will be the X-factor for the Mountain Hawks.
The Mountain Hawks have proven they belong on the national stage. They’ve gone from 2-9 to being a team that people actually fear in the bracket. But until they find a way to stop the "explosive" plays that the Big Sky thrives on, the Vandals will likely keep the upper hand in this cross-country clash.
Check the 2026 schedules: Lehigh has some heavy hitters like William & Mary and Villanova. If they survive that gauntlet and make it back to the post-season, keep an eye on where the committee sends them. They'll be praying for a home game this time.