The offense scored touchdowns and the defense showed some backbone. But there wasn't enough of either Saturday night as San Jose State came up short against USC ... err, Utah ".... no, Stanford ... sorry, make that Idaho.

And therein lies the most problematic aspect of SJSU's 29-25 defeat, before an announced Homecoming crowd of 15,321 at Spartan Stadium:

This wasn't one of the heavyweights on the Spartans' schedule. This was a team that won all of two games last year and doesn't have Matt Barkley throwing passes, Toby Gerhart running off tackle or a Sugar Bowl win on its resume.

The Vandals have been a bottom feeder in the Western Athletic Conference for many years. But it appears they have overtaken San Jose State (1-4, 0-1 WAC), and you have to wonder how many other WAC teams have, too.

"We really need to dig deep now,'' said SJSU coach Dick Tomey, whose team visits Fresno State next week, then heads to Boise State at the end of the month.

Only an upset (FSU) or a monumental upset (BSU) will keep the Spartans from taking a 1-6 record into November.

"We have so many games left and have so much potential," quarterback Jordan La Secla said. "We're so close, but this was a real tough one tonight."

It was tough because the Spartans had a chance — a terrific chance, in fact.

Trailing 22-14 at the start of the fourth quarter, they reeled off 11 consecutive points and were on the brink of their first home

But Idaho (5-1, 2-0) took possession with six minutes remaining and 67 yards to the end zone. Using their backup quarterback and power running game, the Vandals covered the distance with time to spare as DeMaundray Woolridge rumbled in from the 5 with just over a minute remaining.

SJSU's last-gasp drive began at the 13 and lasted all of two plays. La Secla's wild throw to the right sideline was intercepted. The Spartans had no timeouts available.

"We had to use (the timeouts) for some substitution difficulties, which added some pressure on him," Tomey explained.

Idaho's game-winning drive featured one pass and eight runs, an imbalance that surprised absolutely nobody. Behind their powerful offensive line, the Vandals rushed for 274 yards and gained a total of 501.

"They did what they did the whole game: run the ball,'' SJSU safety Tanner Burns said.

Meanwhile, the Spartans once again failed to generate a consistent running game, finishing with 48 yards on the ground. Their success came exclusively through the air as La Secla connected on 31 of 43 passes for 299 yards.

He also threw two interceptions, one at the end of each half. The misfire in the final seconds of the first was returned 37 yards by Idaho's JoJo Dickson — all the way to SJSU's 28-yard line.

With one second remaining, Trey Farquhar converted a 52-yard field goal, trimming SJSU's lead to 14-12.

The second half began just as poorly for the Spartans, as receiver Josh Harrison fumbled near midfield on the fourth play.

Idaho pounced on the opportunity. Princeton McCarty's 47-yard run up the gut of SJSU's defense set up a short touchdown by McCarty.

The Vandals took a 22-14 lead into the fourth quarter, but it was gone in six seconds: La Secla connected with Marquis Avery on a 38-yard touchdown strike. The two-point conversion was successful, and the Spartans had pulled even.

"We fought back a number of times but couldn't get it done in the end,'' Tomey said.

Notes: Idaho linebacker Tre'Shawn Robinson was ejected from the game in the second quarter for a flagrant penalty. ... Scouts from nine NFL teams attended the game, mostly to watch Idaho guard Mike Iaputi, one of the top offensive line prospects in the west. ... Former Spartans cornerback Christopher Owens attended the game and greeted his ex-teammates on the sideline. Owens plays for the Atlanta Falcons, who are in town to face the 49ers.