Knee Ails Idaho Back Thomas

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.

“We’ll hold him out of practice a couple of days, let him rest it and see how it reacts,” Tormey said.

Thomas rushed for 67 yards on 24 carries and caught four passes for 15 yards.

Hisaw back at No. 1

Eric Hisaw is back as the Vandals’ No. 1 quarterback, Tormey said. Hisaw was the starter for last week’s season opener at Oregon State, but was replaced by Brian Brennan in the third quarter.

“Right now, Brian’s arm is a little sore and he’ll have limited throwing reps, so Eric is No. 1 on the depth chart,” Tormey said.

However, Tormey said both quarterbacks probably will play when UI meets Sonoma State on Sept. 16. The Vandals have a bye this Saturday.

Tormey said Brennan’s arm ailment doesn’t appear to be serious, though the pain has cropped up several times this fall.

UI stays put

The Vandals, despite a 14-7 loss to Oregon State, remained No. 14 in the Sports Network Division I-AA poll. McNeese State is the new No. 1, replacing Youngstown State, which dropped to No. 6 after losing to Kent.

Montana is at No. 4 and Boise State is No. 5.

Sky honors pair

Idaho senior linebacker Avery Slaughter, who had eight tackles and a fumble recovery against Oregon State, was named Big Sky Conference defensive player of the week.

Offensive honors went to Weber State quarterback Bryan Martin, who threw for 335 yards in a 28-21 loss to Western Michigan. Montana’s Joe Douglass, who returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown in a 41-14 win over Eastern New Mexico, won the special teams award.

Idaho’s Tzvetelina Yanchulova was named Big Sky volleyball player of the week after pounding out 71 kills as the Vandals went 3-1 at the San Francisco Power Bar Collegiate Invitational.

, DataTimes