Vandals Have Been There Before, Facing Ground-Oriented Opponent
Idaho’s scouting report has needed little rewriting the last three weeks.
The opponent has a fine running game, but an unproven quarterback. The opponent is capable of quality defense.
The opponent is the underdog.
Two weeks ago it was Eastern Washington. Last week it was New Mexico State. Today, it’s North Texas, which is host to the Vandals at noon PST at Fouts Field in Denton, Texas.
Idaho won its last two games, but neither was easy. One major difference: Those two were at home, this one’s away. Idaho’s 0-4 on the road, three comprehendible losses (Wyoming, San Diego State and Utah State), and one mind-boggling (Southwest Texas State).
“We’ve played really well at times,” UI coach Chris Tormey said of the four road games. “Wyoming is as well as we played all year offensively. (Against) Utah State, we were doing the things we needed to do. Southwest Texas was more to do with turnovers.”
Idaho’s intention seemingly would mirror the previous two weeks - stop big-play runner Hut Allred and make quarterback Jason Mills (40.7 completion percentage) work overtime.
“We’ve given up five runs over 40 yards the last two weeks and it has almost cost us,” Tormey said. “We have to make them earn it on 8-, 10- and 12-play drives. “Their quarterback has a strong arm. He looks a little like (New Mexico State’s Chad Salisbury) last week. New Mexico State wasn’t throwing really well until last week.”
North Texas coach Matt Simon, a former Washington assistant with Tormey, threw praise at Vandals quarterback Ryan Fien.
“He’s a great talent,” Simon said. “He’s going to have some opportunities in the NFL and make a couple of million dollars a year.”
Simon’s probably envious for a reason - Eagles quarterbacks have struggled. Three passers have combined for 13 interceptions, four touchdowns and a putrid 39-percent completion rate.
“We need to take some pressure off our running game,” Simon admitted. Throw out North Texas’ money games - Arizona State and Texas A&M - and the Eagles defense has been respectable. They rely on talented linebackers.
“They’ll blitz a lot and play zone against some teams,” Tormey said. “If I was guessing, they’d blitz us a lot because New Mexico State did. Whenever people have done that, it’s almost always caught up with them.”
Notes
The two teams have been in headlines more lately for swiping towels and linens from a Utah motel than for football. Idaho’s bill came to $800; North Texas’s $1,400. … Idaho, which visits Boise State next week, is two wins from earning a share of the conference title with Utah State and Nevada. … Idaho’s only serious injury is a pinched nerve suffered by offensive lineman Dan Zeamer. … North Texas punter Toby Gowin averages 45.3 yards, 12th nationally. He has five 60-yard plus kicks and one 92-yarder. He’s been the Big West special teams player of the week five times. .. Idaho’s Ryan Phillips needs four more tackles-for-loss to break Jeff Robinson’s school record of 90.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Vandals at North Texas