Tormey Wants To Eliminate UI Turnovers
There are numerous items cluttering Idaho football coach Chris Tormey’s desk - videotapes, notes, books, etc. There isn’t, however, a panic button.
Tormey is highly disappointed by Idaho’s 1-3 start for the second consecutive season. He was enormously deflated by Saturday’s 27-21 loss to Southwest Texas State. Tormey says flatly: “It’s a game we should have won.”
But he can take comfort in several regards. One, UI washed away last year’s 1-3 start by finishing 6-5. Two, the Vandals have played two fine Western Athletic Conference teams in Wyoming and San Diego State.
And three, and perhaps most importantly, UI is a whopping minus 13 in turnover ratio.
Tormey would be truly miserable if his team was woefully overmatched, but that’s not the case. Idaho had three more turnovers than Wyoming and lost by two points. Wyoming is undefeated.
“That’s the Vandals stopping the Vandals,” he said.
That’s something that needs to stop.
“The turnovers are something we’re conscious of and working on,” said Tormey, whose club entertains Cal Poly-SLO on Saturday for homecoming. “It’s a problem that can be solved.”
Meanwhile, UI has forced only two turnovers, one a remarkable interception by Bryson Gardner against Wyoming and the other a miscue by Saint Mary’s. The lack of forced turnovers is baffling because Idaho utilizes a pressure-oriented defense with a secondary Tormey believes is more talented than last year’s.
Idaho came out of the 1995 season plus 1 in turnovers, but that was due to the Vandal offense committing only 19 turnovers. UI already has 15 giveaways this season.
Incredibly, Idaho never punted in the loss to Southwest Texas State. Of the Vandals’ 11 possessions, three ended with touchdowns, one via a missed field goal, three were stymied on downs and four stopped by turnovers.
“I don’t think we had that fear that we could lose the game,” Tormey said. “I think you need that to prepare mentally.”
Turnovers have landed Idaho in early holes. The Vandals trailed 14-0 against Southwest Texas State and 10-0 versus Saint Mary’s and San Diego State in the opening quarter.
Tormey’s coaches are emphasizing that the Vandals secure the football on runs and after receptions. He declined to institute punishment for turnovers, such as additional running. “I don’t want to create a paranoia,” he said. “I want to create an awareness.
“You don’t panic. You just battle back.”
Injury update
Linebacker Ryan Phillips’ balky hamstring didn’t allow him to play on Saturday. There is hope he might return for Cal Poly-SLO, but Tormey remains cautious.
“It’d be a disaster if he reinjured it,” Tormey said. Should Phillips return, he will likely go back to his old position at defensive end. Idaho lost defensive end Barry Mitchell to a hamstring injury against Southwest Texas State and he’ll miss at least this week’s game.
Four USC starters suspended for Cal game
Four USC starters who swapped their football cleats for apparel were suspended Monday for one game.
Defensive tackle Darrell Russell, linebacker Sammy Knight, safety Brian Kelly and wide receiver Leonard Green will miss the Trojans’ game against California on Saturday.
An investigation revealed the players exchanged their team-issued playing shoes for “apparel for personal use,” according to a statement.
, DataTimes