Vandals Match Power With Power
The football programs at Idaho and Southwest Texas State have gone in opposite directions since UI pasted the Bobcats 66-38 in 1993.
You may recall that Idaho was helpless in that game against the Bobcats’ spread option, giving up 418 rushing yards. You may also recall that Southwest Texas State couldn’t stop Idaho’s run OR pass, surrendering 588 total yards.
When the teams meet today at 5 p.m. PST in San Marcos, Texas, the most significant changes will be that Southwest Texas no longer employs the spread option and Idaho no longer gives up ground yards.
The Bobcats use a one-back, power running scheme, a la the Dallas Cowboys. That figures to play into the hands of the “flex” defense Idaho installed a couple seasons ago. UI allows an average of 73 rushing yards per game, 13th-best in the nation.
“They’re so much better on defense than they were three or four years ago,” Southwest Texas coach Jim Bob Helduser said. “In past years when we played them, we were able to move the ball on the ground and keep pace with them.”
The Vandals of yesteryear gave up so many points, their coaches originated a saying: “First one to 41 (points) wins.” Idaho (1-2) gave up 40 points each to Wyoming and San Diego State to open this season, but it’s fair to note that those are high-octane Division I programs. San Diego State scored 51 points against Oklahoma last Saturday.
Per usual, UI coach Chris Tormey has mustered up reasons to be concerned about the Division I-AA Bobcats. Coaches who take opponents lightly quickly become ex-coaches, and Tormey frets even over the mildest opponents.
“They’re dangerous,” Tormey said. “They played much better at home in beating Hofstra than they did in (losing 38-7) to Eastern Washington. They didn’t even look like the same team.”
They did, however, look like a team in trouble. EWU rushed for nearly 300 yards and Southwest Texas’ only reliable weapon this year has been running back Claude Mathis.
The unspoken mandate is that Southwest Texas (2-1) must post a winning season or Helduser will be in the unemployment line after this, his fifth season. Helduser has been credited with improving the academic standing of his players, but that hasn’t been enough to overshadow two consecutive 4-7 seasons.
“Our guys have a high expectation of having a successful season,” Helduser offered. “This game is important in that respect.”
Notes
UI linebacker Ryan Phillips (hamstring) is expected to play… . Idaho juggled its defensive secondary, inserting Jasper Williams at cornerback and moving Arnold Gunn from corner to strong safety to replace Tommy James. Also, redshirt freshman Pierre Erick has moved from running back to strong safety… . A crowd of 7,000-8,000 is expected. Temperatures might be in the 80s at game time but Helduser said the heat shouldn’t be a factor. “Not at this point,” he said. “Maybe in the first two weeks of the season, but it won’t be staggering.” … Former UI starting quarterback Brian Brennan, who has been sidelined by shoulder surgery, is making progress in rehabilitation. He threw a football last week for the first time since December and hopes to be on the active roster for the Nevada game Oct. 19. And Marcelle Williams, who rushed for 174 yards last year, returned to practice this week after having knee surgery in November… . The Vandals return to the Kibbie Dome next Saturday for homecoming against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Vandals vs. SW Texas State
MEMO: Cut in the Spokane edition