UI Defense Dominates In Final Scrimmage

The Idaho Vandals concluded spring football drills with a stunning, suffocating defensive effort.

Or a sluggish, sputtering offensive showing. Or, perhaps more accurately, something in between.

The Silver topped the Gold 14-0 in front of 1,550 - egads, that’s more than attended a couple of UI men’s basketball games last season - in the annual spring game at the Kibbie Dome on Friday night.

As you’d expect, new UI head coach Chris Tormey put a positive spin on the scrimmage.

“I’m counting it as 1-0,” Tormey smiled when asked if Friday’s game goes on his record as a win or loss. “I’ll take ‘em any way I can get ‘em.”

It was scoreless until junior running back Joel Thomas escaped a sea of defenders’ arms en route to a 48-yard touchdown on the last play of the third quarter.

Bonners Ferry’s Ryan Clairmont scooted 10 yards for another score with 4:53 left in the game. Kicker Ryan Woolverton missed field-goal attempts of 31 and 43 yards.

Tormey had an inkling the offenses, which combined for just 350 yards on 84 plays, would sputter.

“When we split up the offensive line against our flex defense, I figured we’d struggle a little bit offensively,” he said. “Overall, it was a pretty good effort on both sides of ball.

“We’ve made a lot of progress. I wish we had 15 more practices to be honest with you, but I think we’re on track. And we’re bringing in some players (this fall) to help us.”

Arms race

Brian Brennan emerged from spring as the No. 1 quarterback, Tormey said. But he isn’t a no-question, sure-fire No. 1. Senior Eric Hisaw charted plays Friday and he’s nearly back at full strength after knee surgery. And if Robert Scott, a redshirt freshman with great lateral quickness and a cannon arm, continues to grasp the offensive concepts, the three should wage an entertaining race this fall.

Brennan had high points Friday - firing strikes to Andy Gilroy, David Griffin and Dwight McKinzie. But he also forced a few passes under defensive duress. At times, Brennan and Scott were plagued by suspect protection and butter-fingered receivers.

Brennan, who was 8 of 19 for 138 yards, is 2-0 in spring games.

Notes

Robert Scott showed flashes of his shifty feet on one scramble where he avoided a swarm of enemies to gain nine yards on third-and-eight.

“He’s one of the quickest players,” said UI defensive end Ryan Phillips, no stranger to foot speed himself. “It’s like trying to chase (Montana’s Dave) Dickenson down.” …

Reserve offensive lineman Ed Rhone suffered a knee injury, but it doesn’t appear he’ll need surgical repair.