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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Holt pleased with Vandals’ scrimmage

From news services

MOSCOW, Idaho – For University of Idaho football coach Nick Holt there was no comparing the Vandals first spring scrimmage of 2005 to their first scrimmage one year ago – even if he could remember that 2004 practice.

“I can’t even remember last year’s scrimmage, but I know it was horrible,” said Holt as he embarked on year two of the reconstruction of Vandals football.

Not so Saturday during the 100-play outing that featured thrills and excitement that never really surfaced a year ago. Holt lauded the effort of the youthful Vandal running-back corps – a group of five that is playing spring ball for the first time. Last year’s backfield mainstays – Jayson Bird and Rolly Lumbala – still were in high school as was grayshirt Devon Sturdivant. Antwaun Sherman and Ashanti Hicks were wrapping up junior college.

Together Saturday, they combined for 143 yards on 26 carries with Bird (six rushes for 69 yards) leading the way. Bird and Lumbala both scored.

The quarterbacks – mainly Michael Harrington and Steven Wichman – warmed to the task and wound up completing 23 of 44 passes for 273 yards. Harrington was 8 of 17 for 88 yards and a touchdown and Wichman was 10 of 20 for 94 yards and a TD. Harrington was intercepted once and Wichman twice. T.J. Conley was 2 for 3 (29 yards) and Brian Nooy was 3 for 4 (62 yards).

Passes went to 13 receivers with newcomers Daniel Smith (three catches, 51 yards) and Tracy Ford (four for 58) leading the way. Tight end Luke Smith-Anderson accounted for one of the TD receptions, while newcomer Matt Askew had the other.

“On offense, I thought we did a good job,” Holt said, “especially towards the end. We started moving the ball, starting clicking, guys started catching the ball and protecting the quarterback a little better.”

On defense, there was reason for Holt to be happy, too.

There was a flurry of sacks and tackles-for-loss before the offensive line settled down. A familiar face, albeit on the other side of the ball, was that of sophomore Marcis Fennell, who played on the offensive line last fall before moving to the defensive line this spring. All told, he had five tackles-for-loss, which included two sacks. Jaron Williams added a sack, an interception and a pass breakup.

“On defense,” Holt said, “I liked our tackling. I thought we were playing with good effort. Last year, we’d come away after every practice thinking, ‘Boy, we have a long way to go.’ We get off the field now, we like our team; we like our kids. They’re hungry.”

The Vandals practice Tuesday and Thursday this week before scrimmaging Saturday at Post Falls High School at 11 a.m.