Kickoff ‘96: Idaho Vandals
FAST FACTS
Coach
Chris Tormey (2nd season in Moscow, 6-5 at UI). Last season: 6-5 overall, 4-3 and tied for second in Big Sky.
Assistants
Nick Holt, George Yarno, Greg Olson, Jim Senter, Jeff Mills, Paul Skansi, Eric Yarber, Todd Hoiness, Rick Courtright.
Head trainer
Barrie Steele.
Band members 140; Alan Gemberlin, band director; Joel Paws, drum major.
Cheerleaders
16; Shelly Femreite, advisor.
Top ex-Vandals in NFL
John Friesz (Seattle), Marvin Washington (New York Jets), Mike Hollis (Jacksonville), Jeff Robinson (Denver), Doug Nussmeier (New Orleans), Mark Schlereth (Denver).
QUESTION MARKS, EXCLAMATION POINTS
Question marks
Can four new starters on offensive line pave way for RB Joel Thomas and provide time for QB Ryan Fien?
Can Idaho survive injuries, particularly if QB Fien goes down?
Will unproven kicker and punter come through?
Will fans embrace Big West and turn out for opponents such as New Mexico State?
Exclamation points
LB Ryan Phillips has NFL ability.
Strong defensive line, talented linebackers may make it easier on suspect secondary.
Though his delivery is peculiar, QB Fien can flat throw.
Idaho has had 14 straight winning seasons. Tormey’s streak: 16 years, 15 as assistant at Washington and Idaho and 1 as head coach at UI.
WHAT’S IN, WHAT’S OUT
What’s in
A new conference, the Big West, after belonging to the Big Sky since 1963.
Bob Curtis, as Voice of Vandals for his 38th year. He’s broadcast 435 consecutive UI games.
Cyberland. Vandal information on the World Wide Web, is at http://www.uidaho.edu/athletics
Uniforms. Gone is the bumblebee look. In is silver and black.
Select company. Ryan Phillips is rated the 18th-best defensive end in the nation by The Sporting News. One problem: Phillips has moved to linebacker.
What’s out
Broadcaster Tom Morris no longer Curtis’ radio sidekick since KRPL lost rights to KHTR.
Projected starting safety Antoine Chambers and his backup, Jevez Robinson, both academically ineligible.
KUID-TV’s Saturday night replays of Vandal games, victims of public broadcasting cutbacks.
Backup quarterback Brian Brennan, who may miss the season due to shoulder surgery.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Fastest
Linemen: Dan Zeamer (offense), Robert Mulder (defense).
Backs: Jerome Thomas (offense), Ryan McGinnis (defense).
Receiver: Jerome Allen.
The strongest
Joel Thomas (bench-presses 460 pounds).
The toughest
Joel Thomas, ran for more than 100 yards vs. Idaho State on broken foot last year.
Best blocker
Richard Zenk
Best cover man
Arnold Gunn
Biggest shoes
Size 16: J.R. Blakinship.
Players by state
California 39; Washington 26; Idaho 18; Oregon 5; Arizona and Alaska 2; Florida, Colorado and Illinois 1.
Most impressive stat
Defense allowed 17.6 points per game, best since 1971.
Least impressive stat
Offense scored 28.4 points per game, lowest since 1986.
Academic all-star
Tony Uranga, 3.9 GPA in computer engineering.
Most unusual hobby
Ryan Phillips, skydiving.
DEPTH CHARTS Starters (in bold) and backups.
OFFENSE (Starters) Wide receiver 3 Antonio Wilson 6-3, 196, jr.
Tight end 31 Andy Gilroy 6-1, 215, sr.
Left tackle 65 Crosby Tajan 6-5, 283, jr.
Left guard 60 Richard Zenk 6-5, 273, sr.
Center 76 Bill Verdonk 6-3, 269, jr.
Right guard 69 Dan Zeamer 6-2, 280, sr.
Right tackle 71 Steven Zenk 6-4, 278, sr.
Wide receiver 4 Robert Scott 6-1, 205, so.
Wide receiver 33 David Griffin 5-5, 177, sr.
Running back 1 Joel Thomas 5-6, 207, sr.
Quarterback 12 Ryan Fien 6-3, 207, sr.
OFFENSE (Backups) Wide receiver 5 Chad Berry 6-1, 188, jr.
Tight end 84 Jeff Pankratz 6-3, 220, jr.
Left tackle 63 Bret Chuckovich 6-4, 284, jr.
Left guard 78 Jason Stark 6-2, 274, so.
Center 77 Justin Meek 6-3, 273, jr.
Right guard 62 Robert Horbaczewski 6-2, 242, fr.
Right tackle 72 Jeff Senkevich 6-5, 243, fr.
Wide receiver 17 Deon Price 6-4, 200, jr.
Wide receiver 26 Tom Gamelin 5-10, 175, sr.
Running back 32 Jerome Thomas 5-9, 184, so.
Quarterback 4 Robert Scott 6-1, 205, so.
DEFENSE (Starters)
Left end 90 Robert Mulder 6-2, 232, sr.
Left tackle 95 Tim Wilson 6-0, 255, jr.
Right tackle 86 Ryan Smith 6-4, 255 sr.
Right end 89 Barry Mitchell 6-3, 255, sr.
Outside linebacker 22 Yaphet Warren 6-1, 191, so.
Middle linebacker 43 Jason Shelt 6-0, 226, sr.
Outside linebacker 96 Ryan Phillips 6-4, 251, sr.
Left cornerback 23 Arnold Gunn 5-10, 172, jr.
Free safety 10 Bryson Gardner 6-0, 188, fr.
Strong safety 2 Tommy James 5-11, 203, sr.
Right cornerback 14 Ryan McGinnis 5-10, 170, jr.
DEFENSE (Backups)
Left end 37 Nick Alexakos 6-3, 218, so.
Left tackle 87 Garner Moody 6-3, 238, jr.
Right tackle 93 Mike DeGraw 6-4, 262, sr.
Right end 94 John LaJeunesse 6-2, 222, jr.
Outside linebacker 34 Whitney Mayer 5-11, 207, so.
Middle linebacker 44 Ryan Skinner 5-11, 228, so.
Outside linebacker 46 John Harper 6-2, 234, jr.
Left cornerback 28 Tom Rayner 5-10, 177, so.
Free safety 49 Tony Uranga 5-10, 190, jr.
Strong safety 42 Kevin Hill 5-9, 190, so.
Right cornerback 26 Jasper Williams 5-9, 151, jr.
SPECIAL TEAMS (Starters)
Placekicker 18 Troy Scott 5-11, 189, jr.
Punter 64 Greg DeBolt 5-11, 187, fr.
Holder 49 Tony Uranga 5-10, 190, jr.
Long snapper 86 Ryan Smith 6-4, 255, sr.
Kickoff return 41 Tom Pace 5-10, 195, fr.
Kickoff return 21 Ryan Prestimonico 5-9,177, fr.
Punt return 33 David Griffin 5-5, 177, sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS (Backups)
Placekicker 64 Greg DeBolt 5-11, 187, fr.
Punter 19 James O’Neal 5-10, 171, jr.
Holder 4 Robert Scott 6-1, 205, so.
Long snapper 37 Nick Alexacos 6-3, 218, so.
Kickoff return 32 Jerome Thomas 5-9, 184, so.
Kickoff return 1 Joel Thomas 5-6, 184, jr.
Punt return 3 Antonio Wilson 6-3, 196, jr.<
SCHEDULE Times Pacific, subject to TV schedules. Home games in bold.
DATE OPPONENT TIME COMMENT
Aug. 31 at Wyoming Noon Marcus Harris Heisman hopeful
Sept. 7 at San Diego State 6 p.m. NCAA suspends 3 Aztecs
Sept. 14 St. Mary’s 3:05 p.m. 8-2 last year on light schedule
Sept. 28 at SW Texas 5 p.m. UI meets Texas heat
Oct. 5 Cal Poly-SLO 3:05 p.m. Coach: ex-WSU aide Patterson
Oct. 19 Nevada 3:05 p.m. Preseason Big West favorite
Oct. 26 at Utah State 1:05 p.m. John L. Smith: no welcome mat
Nov. 2 E. Washington 3:05 p.m. QB Garske has star potential
Nov. 9 New Mex. St. 3:05 p.m. Denvis Manns ran for 1,120 yards in ‘95
Nov. 16 at North Texas Noon QB Chris Hall has BSU roots
Nov. 23 at Boise State 12:05 p.m. QB Hilde knows success, trouble
GAME DAY
Stadium
Kibbie Dome (capacity 16,000). From downtown take 3rd Street west, turn left on Perimeter. Drive to the Dome.
Tickets
Single-game prices: $14-$16; Season tickets: $25 (children), $55 (senior citizens), $60 (general admission), $77 (reserved for adults). Ticket info: 1-800-Vandal-9. Also available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets.
Television
KUID will show Wyoming game live (cable channel 12 in Coeur d’Alene; cable channel 26 in Spokane).
Radio
KVNI (AM 1080) Coeur d’Alene; KHTR (FM 104.3) Pullman. Coaches show: TBA.
FIGHT SONG
Came a tribe from the North, brave and bold,
Bearing banners of Silver and Gold,
Tried and true to subdue all their foes,
Vandals! Vandals!
Go, Vandals, Go
Fight on with hearts true and bold,
Foes will fell before your silver and your gold,
The victory cannot be with held from thee,
Come on old Vandals go!
I-D-A-H-O
IDAHO, IDAHO
Go! Go! Go! , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color Photos