Jim Meehan

Let's call this the Bounceback Bowl. Sorry, no sponsor, unless Rubbermaid offers to step up at the last second. Idaho, dumped by Idaho State last week, and Montana State, thumped by Northern Arizona seven days ago, meet this morning at 11:05 PDT at Reno H. Sales Stadium to determine who might rebound toward a successful football season.

Allen Cherry had nearly $42,000 in a shoe box and didn't even know it. Lumped in with stacks of old baseball memorabilia was a weathered, blotchy baseball with Babe Ruth's signature. Told that the ball might be of considerable value to collectors, Cherry last year began going through the steps to document the ball's authenticity.

Thomas

Idaho's Lavoni Kidd eludes Sonoma State defenders on his way to a 140-yard rushingm two touchdown performance. Photo by Associated Press

Freddie Bradley originally signed to play football at Arkansas. Now he's at non-scholarship Sonoma (Calif.) State and works part-time at a minimart. By all accounts, Tyrone Gallien is a fine wide receiver. He and several teammates just moved into an apartment three days ago.

WV quarterback Riley Allen outruns the Trojans for a first-quarter TD, but Post Falls won the ultimate race. Photo by Molly O'Hara/The Spokesman-Review

1. West Valley quarterback Riley Allen outlegs Post Falls defenders on a first-quarter touchdown run, but the Trojans overhauled the Eagles for a 14-11 win. Photo by Molly O'Hara/The Spokesman-Review 2. Post Falls' James Jennings comes up short on this pass attempt in Trojans' 14-11 win at WV Friday night. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review 3. Jeremy Wallace of Post Falls has WV quarterback Riley Allen on the run. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

UCLA's Gene Waters, a former Post Falls High standout, is expected to get his first start for the Bruins against Oregon on Saturday in the Pac-10 football opener for both teams in the Rose Bowl. "We'll see what happens, but I've been running with the first team all week," said Waters, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound offensive right tackle. "Coach (Terry) Donahue hasn't made it public, but I'd be real surprised (if Waters didn't start)." Waters, who played at Walla Walla Community College, is a junior. He played in two series as UCLA downed Brigham Young last week.

Brennan

Key play When redshirt freshman Raul Pacheco hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, Montana thought it had trimmed Washington State's lead to three points. Until the yellow flag fell to the Martin Stadium turf.

Hollis

Idaho junior running back Joel Thomas had an MRI on his left knee Tuesday, but it didn't reveal anything conclusive about a rather puzzling injury. Thomas apparently dinged his knee in the first quarter of the Oregon State game last Saturday. He continued to play and, after the game, was given permission to spend Labor Day weekend with his family. When he returned to Moscow on Monday, Thomas' knee was swollen. The MRI didn't show any ligament or cartilage tears, UI coach Chris Tormey said.

First, do not panic about Idaho's offense. Second, however, be concerned. There were trouble spots that poked through in the Vandals' 14-7 football setback to Oregon State at Parker Stadium on Saturday.

"Oregon State is expected to get off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1967." Alan Malamud, Los Angeles Times. "The Beavers should win their first three games (Idaho, Pacific, North Texas)." Geoffrey Arnold, The Oregonian. For only the fourth time in his five years at Oregon State, football coach Jerry Pettibone wakes up this morning with his Beavers favored entering a game. He probably didn't sleep well. "That's not us saying those things, that's the media," said Pettibone, whose Beavers tangle with Idaho in the season opener today at 1 p.m. at Parker Stadium.

Idaho football coach Chris Tormey has made a move at quarterback. Well, more so at wide receiver, but it involved a quarterback. Redshirt freshman Robert Scott has been switched from quarterback to wide receiver, leaving senior Eric Hisaw and sophomore Brian Brennan to battle for the starting quarterback job. If it's any consolation, Scott can rest assured he wasn't exactly beaten out at quarterback. It's just that wide receiver has surfaced as a problem position.

And how did you perform, Eric Hisaw, during Idaho's first full-squad, padded football practice Wednesday morning. "Terrible," Hisaw said.

For much of his time since he was hired in January, new Idaho coach Chris Tormey has done everything but coach football. He has impeccable attendance at UI booster events, golf tournaments and fund-raisers. He's circulated the campus to become familiar with co-workers. He's met with UI living groups - dorms, fraternities, etc. - to brainstorm methods of enticing more bodies into the Kibbie Dome. Now though, Tormey goes back to being a football coach.

Here's a sampling of successful North Idaho College athletes in the last three decades, including their hometown, and what they've done after leaving NIC: MEN'S BASKETBALL Lewis Lofton, of Centralia, Wash., went on to start at Weber State, NCAA Tournament qualifier in 1995;

In 1960, the year before Rolly Williams arrived as then-North Idaho Junior College basketball coach and athletic director, the basketball team competed in the Coeur d'Alene city league. His team didn't have a schedule and didn't belong to a conference. Williams swept floors, washed towels, called plays and constructed the basketball program while spurring the addition of other sports at the school.

Idaho and Eastern Washington apparently will continue their rivalry, even after the Vandals leave the Big Sky Conference following this season. "We remain on Idaho's and Boise State's schedule for a couple years," EWU coach Mike Kramer said during the Big Sky Football Kickoff meetings on Saturday. UI and BSU will join the Big West in 1996.

Mike Kramer made a promise Saturday. The Eastern Washington coach told the media gathered at the annual Big Sky Conference Football Kickoff that the Eagles have landed this year.

If you think Idaho will change its philosophy because the Vandals have a new coach, here's hoping you've stocked up on food and beverage. Because you're in for a long wait.

1. Hard-hitting Marlin Harris is modern-day member of team. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review 2. The Falls won state and regional titles in 1971 and had four players named to the all-time team and others given honorable mention. The 1971 team included (back row, from left): Wes Fuller, Duane Schultz, Rolly Williams, Darce Driskel, Bill Bush, Jim Wilund. Front row: Dick Schultz, John Pixler, Billy Morton, Doug Wood, Buck Wilhelm. Not pictured: Jack Bloxom. Photo courtesy CdA Parks and Recreation. 3. Don Owen, shortstop for Western Truck Brokers, was a close winner. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

Entering Friday's doubleheader, Coeur d'Alene was sputtering following a disastrous 1-5 tournament and Prairie was humming along after playing well at a Spokane tourney. Can you say flip-flop?