UI Sermons Delivered Early
Chris Tormey’s pregame speeches may be a little different than other coaches. For instance, Tormey’s words of wisdom will come on Thursday.
The new Idaho football coach had already mapped out what he wanted to say to his squad earlier this week. One of the main points was that players must zone in on their opponent, Oregon State in Idaho’s case this Saturday, at least 48 hours before kickoff.
Hence Thursday speeches.
“If you’re waiting until 5 minutes before game time, you’re going to get your butts kicked,” Tormey said. “You have to get tuned in because it takes 48 hours.”
Tormey said his pregame speeches would have some fire and brimstone, and some just the opposite.
“I think we’ve talked about everything we need to get covered,” Tormey said.
Gilroy doubtful
Starting tight end Andy Gilroy, slowed by an ankle sprain suffered last Friday, is looking more doubtful for Saturday’s game. Tormey said Gilroy might play, but it would likely be in spot duty.
Should Gilroy be sidelined, Avery Griggs is the probable replacement with Jeff Pankratz also expected to see time.
Pankratz, a sophomore from Boise, missed last season to undergo chemotherapy treatments for lymphatic cancer. Saturday will be his first college game.
“I didn’t have any kind of physical activity for six or seven months,” Pankratz said. “I had to gain back a lot of strength and confidence.”
Brawny Beavers
Vandal coaches are worried about the injurypotential UI players face against an Oregon State team that averages roughly 295 pounds across the offensive front. OSU is physical on offense and defense and has 20 more bodies (read: scholarships) to work with than Idaho.
“Our first couple of years, we got pushed around by the USCs and Washingtons,” said fifth-year OSU coach Jerry Pettibone. “Now we’re just as big and strong as those programs.”
“We’ve been preparing for this since last January,” UI junior defensive end Ryan Phillips said. “We know it’s going to be a battle. We know there’ll be a lot of pounding.”
UI has a bye next Saturday, which could assist healing time.
Fattenin’ Phillips
Like millions of Americans, Ryan Phillips was on a strict summer diet. He carefully monitored his calories, all 5,000-6,000 per day.
He gained about 13 pounds to 253. “I’ve been eating and eating,” he said. “I drink a weightgainer shake in the morning and one at night. That’s 2,000 calories. Now with McDonalds having this two Big Macs for $2 (promotion), I should be gaining some more weight.”
He also claims that he’s grown from his listed height of 6-foot-3. “One of the (NFL) scouts had me at 6-3,” he said. “At Idaho, that’s 6-4.
Three dotters
Jason Olson has transferred from Air Force to Idaho. The Colville, Wash., native is a wide receiver - a thin position at UI - who played sparingly at Air Force last year and had no catches in a ground-oriented offense. UI coaches are awaiting some paperwork to determine Olson’s eligibility. … Robert Scott, the redshirt freshman who was moved from quarterback to wide receiver two weeks ago, is planning on walking on to the Idaho basketball team. .. Five former OSU quarterbacks are now starters/key reserves at other positions. They are running backs Mark Olford and Sedric Thomas, linebacker Kane Rogers, and defensive backs Larry Bumpus and Adrian Woodson. Pettibone recruits the best athletes to run the option offense and most are capable of moving to other positions. … Pettibone said he’s not sure if backup quarterback Tim Alexander will play. Alexander can fly (10.4 100 meters in high school). Starting quarterback “Don Shanklin has good speed,” the coach said. “Tim has great speed.”
, DataTimes