UI Shouldn’t Panic, Just Settle On A Qb

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.

The most obvious is that Idaho seems to lack the big-play personnel that have been Palouse mainstays since Dennis Erickson sidled into town in 1982.

The other pressing concern is at quarterback, where Idaho used both Eric Hisaw and Brian Brennan. Simply stated, the longer Idaho fluctuates on a quarterback, I’m guessing the more detrimental it becomes to the team.

Perhaps this is overreaction. After all, UI ran into an Oregon State defense that put the shackles on many a Pac-10 offense last year and is undoubtedly strong again this season.

Against Big Sky foes, UI will surely run into less imposing linemen, fewer sure-tackling linebackers and not as many capable defensive backs.

But …

UI has always had a slew of big-play makers. Last year, Kyle Gary, Keith Neal and Dwight McKinzie all were long-yardage threats. And factor in running back Sherriden May, as well.

All those players are gone except McKinzie, and he turned in UI’s only play that gained more than 16 yards on Saturday. Alas, that 26-yarder came on a broken play, which is where Hisaw is most dangerous.

Joel Thomas is a superb running back, a battering ram that will generate numerous 6-, 10-, 15-yard runs. Sixty-yarders aren’t likely, nor should they be expected.

Outside of McKinzie, the receivers aren’t speed burners, so stretching the defense, a staple of the one-back offense, won’t be as easy.

What Idaho must prove itself capable of is burning the blitz for long gainers. That didn’t happen against OSU.

Idaho faithful should be prepared for more ball-control, clock-chewing drives. That’s not a bad thing, but it isn’t easily accomplished either. The potential for turnovers and mistakes increases with longer drives. Quick-strike scores could be rare.

The quarterback race followed the fall pattern. Neither Hisaw nor Brennan has shined.

In fairness, both were victimized by the lack of a second-half running game and a sparse number of open receivers. Each QB made his share of mistakes, too, so blame was widespread.

Perhaps UI coaches are just waiting for one hot hand to emerge. It hasn’t happened yet.

Idaho’s 153 total yards was its first sub-200 effort since Northern Arizona in 1986.

“We’ll continue to evaluate (the quarterbacks) from week to week, but I don’t want to be in situation where one guy is looking over his shoulder all the time,” UI coach Chris Tormey said. “Both guys know the best guy is going to play.”

Hisaw appeared to have the better day, but not by much. He was more mobile, more creative, but the offense wasn’t exactly making a beeline down field with him calling signals, either.

It’s apparent both QBs would feel more comfortable with the matter resolved.

“They name one guy the starter, but you can’t relax,” said Brennan, who was 7 of 20 for 40 yards. “But sometimes you need to relax and have fun. It’s tough to look back over your shoulder if you have a bad first quarter and the other guy’s going in. But you’re a football player; you have to accept responsibility.”

Said Hisaw, who was 8 of 20 for 96 yards: “You can’t afford to look over your shoulder. If you do, you play tentative, and if you do that, you play poorly. Whatever happens, a decision will be made and Brian and I have to live with that.”

Both sound as if they’ll live with whatever decision is made without creating waves.

“I have no idea what the deal is,” Hisaw said of what might happen this week.

Obviously, that’s up to the coaches. Just one of many offensive concerns they’ll have to plow through this week as they prepare for Sonoma State in two weeks.

You can contact Jim Meehan at (208) 765-7131.

, DataTimes