Idaho Unworried By Young Line Yarno’s Green Offensive Unit Continues To Make Progress

University of Idaho assistant football coach George Yarno doesn’t hesitate to exercise his right of freedom of speech.

He does so often during practice, at decibel levels that can make players wish helmets had earplugs instead of ear holes.

And so, with an inexperienced offensive line to coach, it would be understandable if Yarno were hoarse after 10 days of practices.

He’s not.

“I’m very happy at this point,” Yarno said between practices Tuesday. “We’re young, there’s no substitute for experience and we’re going to experience some ups and downs. We’ve got to live through those.

“But we’ve got a chance to be very good up front if we continue to make progress like we did the first couple of weeks.”

Idaho will lean on two senior starters. Sandpoint’s Crosby Tajan is an all-conference candidate at left tackle and Bill Verdonk, back from knee surgery, is at center.

The rest of the line is green.

Redshirt freshmen Brett Morton and Bob Horbaczewski are the starting guards. Senior Justin Meek, who saw limited time last season, is at right tackle, a spot where sophomore Jeff Senkevich was expected to start, but he quit just before fall drills.

“I think we’ll be as good as we were a year ago, with a lot more upside,” Vandals head coach Chris Tormey said. “Meek’s been in the system. Morton’s doing fine. He’s a freshman going through freshman growing pains. He probably needs to lose 10 pounds. He’s already lost 10. Bob is up to 270.”

Youngsters are providing depth. Cheney’s Rick DeMulling, Sandpoint’s Brian Smith, Post Falls’ Jeremy Wallace are second-teamers or competing for those jobs. Promising German native Patrick Venzke backs up Meek.

Bye-bye Robert

Robert Scott, the former Vandals receiver who is transferring to Utah State, was in Moscow on Monday to clear up some academic details. Predictably, he received a chilly welcome.

Scott met with athletic director Oval Jaynes. Tormey declined to answer when asked if he talked to Scott.

“I’ve made my last comment on Robert Scott,” Tormey said.

Said quarterback Brian Brennan: “I don’t know what his situation is. Right now he’s not a Vandal and he’s going to a different team in the same league. To me, you’ve got to realize who your friends are and who your teammates are.”

Idaho-Utah State, Part II

Seldom-used running back Marcelle Williams also has transferred to Utah State, Aggies coach John L. Smith said Tuesday.

Williams ran for 174 yards in five games in 1995. He injured his knee that season and redshirted in ‘96. He must sit out this season and will have one year of eligibility left.

Smith said Williams and Scott were at practice on Tuesday. Scott, who will play at wide receiver, “just sorta walked around,” Smith said.

Versatility, Inc.

Darick Pope is on the move again.

The quarterback-turned-wide receiver is now a tight end. Coaches and Pope hope his latest move is his last.

“I just figured I would try all (the positions) and see what I like best,” joked Pope, a former Post Falls High quarterback. “I think this will work out for me. I was a little below average speed for a receiver and I’m a little above average for tight end.”

The 6-foot-5 Pope spent his summer slimming down to 217 pounds to play wide receiver. Now, he’ll have to pack on more weight.

“I think my quarterback days are pretty well over,” he said. “I need to gain weight and get a little stronger and start learning how to run-block. This is the first time I’ve ever had to run-block in my life.”

Tight end, like receiver, is a crowded position. Senior Jeff Pankratz is the starter. He’s backed up by sophomore Travis Stombaugh and senior Ryan LaPointe.

Pain zone

Several starters are sidelined by injury, including defensive end Nick Alexakos (shoulder) and linebackers Whitney Mayer (hamstring) and Matt Jasik (neck).

Jasik is questionable for the season opener against Air Force on Aug. 30, Tormey said. The others are expected to practice within the next few days.

Pankratz has a sizable cast to protect his wrist, which he broke after falling off a motor scooter. “He’s been catching the ball well,” Tormey said.

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