Speed Is Key For Vandals In Rematch With Mcneese State
“We’ve got to get guys. … who can chase down people like that.” - Nick Holt, Idaho defensive coordinator, following 38-21 loss to McNeese State last year.
Nick Holt made that comment last November, leaning against a railing overlooking Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, La.
As he talked, his eyes darted up and down the grass field as if he was replaying in his mind McNeese State’s three long touchdowns - all speed generated - that sank UI in the 1994 football playoff game.
On Tuesday in his Moscow office, Holt recalled the carnage, which is pertinent because Idaho revisits McNeese State, unbeaten and ranked No. 1, on Saturday in Lake Charles.
And the Cowboys’ cast of skill players is back - and faster, according to senior quarterback Kerry Joseph.
“We were playing pretty good defense,” Holt said. “All of a sudden three huge plays back to back, it just blew me away. In a matter of about 4 minutes of football, they scored 21 points.”
First, Joseph scooted 83 yards on a quarterback draw. Next, Joseph hit Terence Davis (now a senior) for an 83-yard touchdown pass, catching UI in a blitz. Finally, Henry Fields (now a senior) took a no-frills handoff 90 yards, outrunning a Vandal safety.
“Other than that, we handled ‘em,” Holt said.
That is true. Of McNeese’s 477 total yards, over half (256) came on the three backbreaking plays.
So how does UI avoid a replay this Saturday?
Idaho’s defense has been modified over the last half of this season. The 1994 unit blitzed often and left cornerbacks Montrell Williams and Cedric West in man-to-man coverage.
After getting burned earlier this season, UI began playing more zone and its front seven was still able to generate pressure on enemy quarterbacks. The last three weeks, UI’s defense has been especially stingy in the second halves of games - foes are 0 of 18 on third downs and have scored just 13 points.
“Our guys are getting a lot more depth (on their drops) and keeping everything in front of them,” Holt said.
He scolded himself for an over-aggressive plan against McNeese last year. However, often it simply came down to Cowboys outrunning Vandals.
“We’re faster overall,” Holt said. “Last year I took a lot of dumb chances, gambled quite a bit. Against faster guys, we shouldn’t have done that.”
Holt said UI’s front which houses the three defenders (Ryan Phillips, Barry Mitchell and Tim Wilson) who started against McNeese last year - are a year older and better. The linebacking trio is improved and the secondary is more sound, a credit to secondary coaches Jeff Mills and Kasey Dunn, Holt said.
“They didn’t hurt us outside last year,” Holt recalled. “They hurt us inside and we are better inside. Safety Antoine Chambers is better than the strong safeties we’ve had.”
One would assume UI will be more cautious, take fewer chances and try to give up 4-, 7- and 10-yard gains as opposed to monster acreage.
“We’ve got some changeups, some things that maybe they won’t practice against,” Holt said, “but you don’t make too many changes from week to week.”
Still, there are concern areas. Remember, Idaho is without its fastest player, Montrell Williams, who moved to safety this year. He’s out with a knee injury. His replacement, Travis Coffey, is admittedly slower but deserves credit for his steady play. He rarely is caught out of position.
Of more import may be Idaho’s ability to stop the option. Montana, on a handful of attempts, ran it successfully against UI and so did Boise State last Saturday.
McNeese State runs speed option - emphasis on speed.
Holt’s certain of one thing. “When the game’s on the line, somehow someway that guy (Joseph) is going to have the ball in his hands in play-action, speed option, quarterback draw. You gotta get a lot of eyes on him. You (bring) pressure, you better get there.”
From experience, Holt knows what happens if you don’t.
, DataTimes