Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

SportsLink

Morning Vandal notes, links

We've got an interesting blend of notes and articles to highlight on the Idaho footbal team, including accolades for Robb Akey and possible big-time ESPN exposure for Boise State and Idaho. Click below for more.

*******
Here's the morning roundup:

  • First, the Idaho Statesman has this article about the Boise State-Idaho matchup as a possibility for ESPN College GameDay on Nov. 14. It would be the first time a WAC game has been the site of the Saturday morning show. The most logical big-time spot for the show is the Iowa-Ohio State game that week, but if Idaho keeps winning -- anything's possible, right?
  • Robb Akey is one of 20 coaches on the Bear Bryant Award watch list. It goes to the top FBS coach of the year. BSU's Chris Petersen is also on the list. And again, if Idaho wins a couple more games, Akey has to be at the top of this list.
  • Akey had some interesting comments on the off-the-field incidents that have plagued Idaho through the month of October. In this morning's Lewiston Tribune, he's quoted as saying, "They’ve (ticked) me off. ….they’ve irritated me, but have they been a distraction? I don’t think so. I work to let it not be. It’s not what I want, by any stretch. Unfortunately that’s part of growing up young people, you’re going to deal with some things like that as you go.”
  • Lastly, here's what Akey said yesterday regarding home attendance with Idaho having three of its last four games at the Kibbie Dome: "This week is Homecoming. All I can say is come home. Fill the place up. ... People told me, 'Coach, you get a team that can win, they’ll come.' Well, this team is winning. This team is exciting. There hasn’t been a dull game yet. There was one bad one, but that is history. We got that taken care of. We’ve got an exciting thing going. It’s an exciting product on the field. ... I was very disappointed that there was as many empty seats as there were in our last home game. I hope I never have to see that again because these players heard the call from the outside world: 'Hey, you all get good, we’ll come see ya.' Well, we got good. Come see us. Fill the place up." Regarding attendance and a possible bowl berth, Akey said, "The place is going to be full of bowl reps. They’re coming to the game. They want to say, 'You’ll are going to travel well.' Everybody says, 'Hey, coach, we’re going to be at the bowl.' Well, if you’re going to be at the bowl, you better get your tail at the dome. We’re going to get after it."



SportsLink is your portal into sports news around the Inland Northwest and beyond. You'll find updates, notes and opinions, and plenty of reader feedback.






Looking for a Grip on Sports?

Vince Grippi's daily take on all things regional sports has been moved to our main sports section online. You can find a collection of these columns here.