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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Harrington impresses in defeat

EUGENE, Ore. – There were few bright spots on the field or from the gray, overcast skies above, but Michael Harrington might have provided a ray of optimism.

At least it appeared that way when Jimmy Labita pulled in a screen pass from Harrington and sped for a second-quarter touchdown, sparking high-fives all around in a crowded suite high above Autzen Stadium. That’s where Team Harrington, the quarterback’s family and friends, celebrated Idaho’s only touchdown in a 48-10 loss to Oregon on Saturday.

Harrington was particularly sharp in the first half, passing for 138 yards. He came in averaging 86 yards per game. Harrington delivered on-target throws just before getting flattened by defenders. And on several occasions, Harrington made Oregon pay when it blitzed by firing quick completions.

“They got pressure on me, but my receivers made a lot of good plays and after they caught the ball they broke some tackles, which we haven’t done this year,” Harrington said. “The score doesn’t reflect it and sometimes it’s tough because these Pac-10 teams are good teams, but there were a lot of positives.”

Especially for the first 30 minutes. Idaho was deep in Oregon territory three times and had another possession stall at the Ducks’ 48. Still, the Vandals managed only 10 points and they were shut out in the second half.

“He competed all day long,” quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith said. “We’re playing a good team at a tough place to play. I was happy with a lot of the decisions he made. He’s continuing to improve and he gave us a chance.”

Couch it any way you want – Oregon’s starting cornerbacks barely played in the first half due to injury and the Ducks, sporting a big lead early, seemed willing to give up underneath completions – but Harrington was noticeably sharper and more effective throwing downfield than in his first three starts of the season.

“It’s a slow process, but it’s improving,” receiver Wendell Octave said. “We moved the ball pretty well; we just needed to establish a running game. … Michael played good, really good. A few times he was forced out of the pocket and he kept his composure.”

Oregon adjusted its coverage in the second half and Idaho’s offense lost its rhythm. That also corresponded with a shoulder injury to Bobby Bernal-Wood, who had seven receptions before departing.

Harrington threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

“A lot of it had to do with Oregon getting pressure and he doesn’t see the receivers as well as he should because he’s got guys in his face,” head coach Nick Holt said. “On the pick for the touchdown, he didn’t see the end dropping, and then our center cuts loose the defensive lineman so he didn’t have all day to throw it. A lot of these things that people think are the fault of the quarterback is not really his fault.”

Injury update

Idaho lost several players to injury, but none appear to be long-term. Bernal-Wood said he might be able to play this Saturday.

Bernal-Wood, cornerback J.R. Ruffin (leg contusion) and linebacker Nate Nichols (leg) left the field within minutes of each other in the third quarter, but Holt doesn’t expect them to be sidelined for long. Receiver Jeff Stowe, like Bernal-Wood, suffered a shoulder sprain. Running back Jayson Bird missed most of the second half while resting a sore knee.

Notes

Bird, a freshman, started for the first time in his short career. He was held to 11 yards on nine carries. Freshman Reggie Jones made his first start at cornerback, but Chris Nathan saw the majority of playing time at the position. … Oregon’s Jared Siegel had a strange day. His first PAT made him Oregon’s all-time leading scorer. However, he missed a point-after late in the first quarter, ending a streak of 98 straight, 10 short of the Pac-10 record. … UI middle linebacker Cole Snyder was credited with 18 tackles. … In four games, Idaho is 1 of 5 (two blocked) on field goals.