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Idaho AD on ‘13 schedule, state of football program

Idaho athletic director Rob Spear's postgame radio interview lasted less than two minutes after Texas State dismantled the Vandals 38-7. Nevertheless he had plenty to say. We've got his comments after the jump.

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On the loss Saturday night: "I just give all credit to Texas State. They just beat us in every phase of the game. They are a program that just started their transition (to the FBS) a year ago. ... 
They just handed it to us. They’ve done an unbelievable job in the last few years of renovating this facility (Bobcat Stadium) and expanding the way you need to. They’ve invested in their program. Their facilities are outstanding.

"For us, the road doesn’t get any easier. Louisiana Tech next week. Louisiana Tech’s the real deal."

On Louisiana Tech, next week's opponent: "They get up and down the field. They're well coached. They do a wonderful job, too. It was only three years ago that we were beating them. They’ve transitioned and improved their program. We’ve got a long road ahead of us if we don’t figure something out.

On next year's schedule: "We have made the decision that we’re going to go down this independent route. I think we’ve invested too much time and money. I know there’s a lot people that feel otherwise. But the schedule’s coming along. I feel pretty good about having 11 secure games and Friday I thought I had 12. The way football scheduling goes, I lost a game on Friday, but I’m hopeful I’ll be able to pick one up this week and hopefully we can come out and announce that schedule."

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Spear has been more upset in his regular postgame interview with Tom Morris before (e.g., after Idaho finished a 2-10 season last year with a 56-3 loss at Nevada). But he's clearly frustrated with the 1-6 start for the Vandals, and perhaps by the overall state of the football program.

It was particularly telling that Spear highlighted how far Louisiana Tech has come since Idaho beat the Bulldogs in 2009. Since then, the Vandals have lost twice to La. Tech and will be huge underdogs next week for the game in Ruston.

As for the 2013 independent schedule, the Vandals appear to have made major progress in the last few weeks. Friday, AStateNation.com reported that Arkansas State and Idaho will play a home-and-home starting next year in Jonesboro, Ark.

The Vandals are already scheduled to play Northern Illinois at home, plus Washington State, Wyoming and Mississippi on the road. Spear has previously indicated that UI will play also play two games with New Mexico State. That equals seven games.


 



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