Vandals reverse their role
Thanks, but no thanks.
That was the message from Robb Akey after Idaho kept the score almost three touchdowns closer than oddsmakers predicted when it opened its football season with 38-10 loss at top-ranked USC last weekend.
“We received nice, positive remarks, but we’re not going to let them be happy and accept a 28-point loss,” the Vandals head coach said of his first game. “We can’t make it OK to lose, but we’ll make a big deal out of the positives.”
His point is those good things won’t mean much if the Vandals don’t beat Cal Poly in their home opener this afternoon at 2.
That’s why, Akey said, “We have to pay attention to us again, no different than a week ago. We’re still sheltering ourselves from the outside.”
Idaho still has a lot to prove and the Mustangs, a top-20 ranked Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) team, aren’t an easy mark.
“They’re different in what they do. They run the option on offense and flex on defense,” Akey said. “Not many do that. And they’re strategic in their kicking game.”
Although the Vandals played the Trojans tough, there was plenty of room for improvement. The offense struggled to finish drives, the wide receivers didn’t get downfield and the defense missed 33 tackles by Akey’s count.
The poise and game management by redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Enderle was a positive. Half of his 16 completions went to tight ends and running backs. Wide receiver Max Komar had five receptions but gained just 28 yards.
Freshman running back Deonte Jackson had 99 yards and was complemented by Jayson Bird’s 36 yards and a touchdown.
Mix in the performance by the line, which paved the way for the backs and didn’t allow a sack, and the offense showed great potential.
The defense, despite the missed tackles – and don’t forget the opponent was USC – showed resolve, enough to impress Cal Poly coach Rich Ellerson.
“They looked like they belong on the field,” he said.
After giving up 21 early points, the defenders settled down, as evidenced by two key series. Enderle lost the ball on the Vandals’ 9, but the Trojans were stopped on downs. Another time, after forcing a punt, a penalty sent the defense right back on the field and it stopped the Trojans again.
Sophomore safety Shiloh Keo had a monster game with 10 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery and also covered kicks and returned punts.
If the Vandals are looking down their nose at playing a lower-level opponent, Akey had a reminder: Appalachian State-Michigan.
The Mustangs also have a lot to prove after losing 38-35 at unranked Texas State last week.
“They’re trying to do what we tried to do last week,” Akey said.
The Mustangs are still searching at quarterback. Last year’s starter, Matt Brennan, lost the job to Jonathan Dally but neither was effective in the opener, although Barden Ramses had eight catches for 207 yards.
James Noble and Sacramento State transfer Ryan Mole are capable running backs.
“There are a million places we can improve,” Ellerson said.
The Vandals’ defense should be at full strength. Starting linebacker Jo’Artis Ratti did not break his foot as originally feared and should be a go, although backup linebacker Paul Senescall is out up to five weeks with a knee injury.
Akey said he hoped the fans would give the same effort this week as the players did last week, and that could be a concern for the Mustangs.
“You have to assume going into a dome if the crowd’s in there and the crowd’s into it, you’re not going to be able to hear the guy next to you,” Ellerson said. “If there’s a good crowd and they don’t want you to hear, you don’t.”
“The dome’s awesome,” said Vandals senior linebacker David Vobora. “We played against 90,000 at USC, but I promise the dome will be louder. It’s exciting. Coming home for the home opener, it’s a big deal. We’re pumped up. They’re a good squad. We’re excited to get a win.”