CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - One word – heartache. That's all that can be said about Idaho's gutsy, gut-wrenching 21-20 overtime loss at Virginia.

It was a game that included huge special teams contributions, big defense plays and an offense that battled hard but came up just short. The overtime was set up by too not-so-well know Vandals – Justin Hernandez and Daniel Micheletti. With Virginia back up to its own 15, Hernandez launched his body in front of Jimmy Howell's punt. Micheletti grabbed it and scrambled four yards in to score with 3:11 left in the game.  Quarterback Brian Reader hooked up with Marsel Posey for the two-point conversion to tie the game.

Idaho won the overtime toss and elected to go on defense first. The Vandals had Virginia facing second-and-goal from the Idaho 27 after a facemask penalty. David Watford shoveled a pass to Dominique Terrell and he shot between two Idaho defenders for the score. With the successful PAT, the Cavaliers went up 21-14.

The Vandals answered when it was their turn. Reader found a leaping, twisting Armauni Johnson on third down. The 23-yard scoring strike set the final stage. The Vandals elected to go for a two-point conversion. Virginia brought pressure and Reader launched a pass toward the end zone. Tight end Mike LaGrone made a leaning, one-handed attempt to pull in the ball. But it dropped harmlessly to the turf.

“We needed to battle through the course of the night,” said coach Robb Akey, whose team gave up two touchdowns in the first 12 minutes of the game then held the Cavaliers scoreless until the overtime session. “We did.

“I'm very disappointed we didn't win the football game  but I'm proud of the way this team battled.”

Hernandez and Micheletti weren't the only would-be heroes. The Vandals more than doubled their season sack total with three – one each by Gary Walker, QuayShawne Buckley and Korey Toomer. To those, they added seven more tackles for loss for a total of 10. Conrad Scheidt and Aaron Grymes each forced a fumble with Quin Ashley and Grymes notching the recoveries. Grymes also intercepted a pass and had one of four breakups.

Princeton McCarty had 14  carries for 90 yards and Mike Scott led the receivers with five  catches for 74 yards.

Bobby Cowan had another 70-plus punt with a 76-yard figured into his average of 51.2 on nine kicks.