MOSCOW, Idaho – Struggles continued for the University of Idaho’s offense and the result was a 24-11 homecoming loss to Louisiana Tech Saturday afternoon at the Kibbie Dome.

Coach Robb Akey was succinct in his assessment: “Very disappointed. … There were plenty of opportunities.”

The defense and specials teams made more of the opportunities that came their way. Idaho’s first two points were when Andre Ferguson caught up with Lennon Creer in the end zone, double-duty receiver/returner Justin Veltung returned a punt 81 yards to score late in the game, and in-between kicker Trey Farquhar drilled a 43-yard field goal. Add to that a 50-yard average by punter Bobby Cowan.

The offense, however, sputtered.

“We just weren’t executing,” said quarterback Brian Reader, who completed 19 of 47 attempts for 244 yards with three interceptions. “I put a lot of blame on myself. The defense did a great job. They made stops. We needed to put points on the board.”

Drives started but all too often skidded to a halt with a miscue of some sort or another. In addition to the interceptions, there was a lost fumble and the Vandals managed just two-of-16 third-down conversions.

The defense, however, was doing its part. It thwarted Louisiana Tech on all but three of its 16 third-down conversion attempts and it tallied five tackles-for-loss, which includes two quarterback sacks. It had quarterback Nick Isham frequently on the run with seven quarterback hurries in addition to two pass breakups. Gary Walker led the defensive effort with 15 total tackles with Tre`Shawn Robinson adding 10 and Korey Toomer totaling 10, which includes both sacks.

“It didn’t go the way we wanted,” Toomer said. “There are always big plays that are going to happen on the field. Today, Louisiana Tech just got the best of it.”

Idaho falls to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the WAC. Louisiana Tech is 2-4, 1-1.