Vandal Line Now More Jagged Offense A Big Question Mark Vs. Surprising Central Florida

There is the offensive line Idaho had in fall workouts, the line that opened the season and the line that will start against Central Florida tonight in the Florida Citrus Bowl.

These lines are barely similar.

Idaho saw another starter go down to injury when right guard Bob Horbaczewski sprained his ankle in practice this week. He’ll likely miss a month.

That follows the season-ending knee injury suffered by right tackle Justin Meek in Idaho’s 43-0 win over Idaho State last Saturday.

That came after preseason injuries to Doug Lumsargis (knee) and Ryan Schienle (shoulder). Both figured to be in Idaho’s two-deep. Also, Jeff Senkevich, listed as a contender for starting right guard in the media guide, quit just before fall drills.

And remember, too, that the line was supposed to be Idaho’s biggest question mark entering this season. However, those fears were relieved as the line performed well in the first three games.

So who is left? Eight healthy linemen will travel. The starting unit, with three freshmen, will face a swift, blitzing defense.

“We have a fairly simple offensive game plan, by necessity,” said UI coach Chris Tormey. “When you play against a pressure defense, it can be splat (sack), splat, touchdown.”

Cheney High grad Rick DeMulling, a redshirt freshman, replaces Horbaczewski. DeMulling had been at right tackle and will have to adjust at guard. Patrick Venzke, another freshman but physically mature at 22 years old, steps in for Meek.

“They attack you and we’ve got to be in the right places,” Tormey said. “We’ve got to get rid of the ball quickly and our receivers have to get open quickly.”

One bit of good fortune for Idaho: Central Florida’s best lineman, Jermaine Benoit, matches up with the Vandals’ top lineman, tackle Crosby Tajan.

Another break might be that the Golden Knights (0-3) could overlook Idaho (2-1). Though it’s not customary for winless teams to be overconfident, this game might be an exception.

Consider Central Florida has just played Mississippi, South Carolina and Nebraska down to the wire. Consider Idaho’s name recognition probably doesn’t register too high in Orlando.

“I believe both of us have a little of the same problem,” Golden Knights coach Gene McDowell said. “They’re looking at an 0-3 team. They know as well as I do that Nebraska, Mississippi and South Carolina aren’t going to get sky high to play us.”

Tormey compares Central Florida to McNeese State. Tormey has coached 25 games in his three years at Idaho and lightning-quick McNeese State was responsible for his worst loss, 33-3 in the I-AA playoffs in 1995.

“With all due respect to Portland State and Idaho State, they’re definitely in a rebuilding mode,” Tormey said of UI’s previous two victims. “We’re playing a team that scored 24 points on Nebraska and over 30 against South Carolina.”

Notes

Vandals linebacker Matt Jasik, out the first three games with a neck injury, practiced this week and is expected to play 10 to 20 snaps. His weight is a tad higher at 220 pounds, but he doesn’t seem to have lost his speed, Tormey said… . Post Falls’ Jeremy Wallace and Sandpoint’s Brian Smith are two of the three backup offensive linemen on the trip… . Central Florida is favored by nine… . Despite their brutal schedule, the Golden Knights are fairly healthy. Only two starters are listed as questionable… . Central Florida will rake in a record $1.4 million by playing big-money road games against Nebraska, Auburn and South Carolina… . The Big East Conference is considering Central Florida as a member.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Vandels at Central Florida