Teamwork Paying Off For Vandals
Nevada has the sure-fire NFL players. Quarterback John Dutton has been invited to play in the Hula Bowl. The Wolf Pack have won bowl games on ESPN.
In the esteem-challenged Big West Conference, Nevada is the closest thing to a marquee school.
Idaho has the no-name defense, the blue-collar offense and national recognition that extends well into the suburbs of Declo.
But the Vandals believe they have plenty going for them going into today’s 1:05 p.m. date with Nevada in Mackay Stadium.
“We don’t have the one outstanding individual, but we’re having success because 11 guys are doing a great job and it really creates great team chemistry,” Idaho coach Chris Tormey said.
“There’s no selfishness, no attitude problems. This is as much fun as I’ve had coaching.”
Idaho has a 4-2 record, though casual Vandals fans would be hard-pressed to name a handful of offensive and defensive starters. Idaho’s best-known player might be running back Joel Thomas and he’s been lost for the season because of an injury.
So, it’s the old debate as to what will prevail: Togetherness vs. talent, overalls vs. Armani, plow horses vs. thoroughbreds, Marlins vs. Braves. Wait, that last one’s already been won by the underdog.
The Vandals, though, no longer can rely on their sneak-attack ability. Idaho thumped the Wolf Pack 24-15 last year in Moscow.
“We maybe overlooked them last year,” Dutton said. “It was like, hey, ‘It’s Idaho, a new team to the Big West.’ And they pretty much embarrassed us. I’ve been thinking about that game for a long time. I know I have all the respect in the world for Idaho.”
He should. But Dutton also respects his teammates for hanging together during a trying 1-5 start against brand-name competition.
Nevada coach Jeff Tisdel concurred.
“We’ve competed very well and we’ve gotten better on both sides of the ball,” Tisdel said. “I believe our schedule has prepared us for league play.”
The Wolf Pack are healing at the right time. Defensive tackle James Cannida - “an NFL player as sure as I’m sitting here,” Tormey says - returns from a bad knee. Running back Alex Gresham is back from a preseason injury.
Cannida and linebacker Deshone Myles, the Big West defensive player of the year in 1996, are dandies. They’ve essentially been a two-man defense because surrounding personnel haven’t stepped up.
Idaho will play to its offensive strengths, a quick-passing game to beat expected Nevada blitzes and getting the ball into receiver Antonio Wilson’s hands. All the while, UI must keep an eye on Cannida and Myles.
“Those two are the best defensive players I’ve ever seen,” said Dutton, a transfer from Texas. “Deshone makes plays and I don’t see how. He dominates games. That’s pretty impressive from a defensive standpoint.”
Idaho’s defense must deal with Dutton’s darts to swift receivers, but the Wolf Pack become truly dangerous when Chris Lemon and Gresham add a run threat.
“A wise old man once said you do the best you can with the tools you’ve got,” Tormey said. “We’re a pressure defense, but we’ll mix it up…
“We’re starting to develop a few ‘name’ guys, especially on defense, but there’s not one player that is better than everybody else. They’re all doing their job.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Vandals at Nevada
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