Starter Kramer Lost To Vandals

Two days away from its season opener, Idaho’s defense is taking on a new look.

Redshirt freshman Jordan Kramer, son of former Vandals and NFL great Jerry Kramer, had earned the starting free safety job with strong showings in spring and fall drills. But Kramer tore a tendon in his left ring finger late last week and had surgery Monday. He is expected to miss eight weeks. He could return in late October or early November.

Lewiston High grad Brad Rice, who was in a tight battle with Kramer for the starting job, moves to the top of the depth chart as UI wraps up preparations for Thursday’s opener against Eastern Washington at Albi Stadium.

“He (Kramer) was getting better and better. The good news is that the competition between the two made both of them better players,” head coach Chris Tormey said. “I feel good about Brad being in there.”

UI also has moved James Durrough from middle linebacker to defensive end. Durrough missed most of last season with a torn knee ligament and isn’t 100 percent.

Durrough played linebacker for a portion of 1997 before moving to end. He had 10 sacks and earned All-Big West honors as an end in 1997.

“It’s doing good, I’m not a 100 percent, but I’ll be there,” Durrough said. “Come game time, all the aches and pains go away. It doesn’t matter to me where I play as long as I’m on the field.”

Durrough will probably split time with Dennis Taeatafa at end. Durrough could still see time at end and linebacker, defensive coordinator Jeff Mills said.

Laki Ah Hi, also from Lewiston, will step in at middle linebacker. Ah Hi redshirted last season.

“He’s bigger, stronger and faster than (‘98 starter) Ryan Skinner,” Tormey said. Skinner, also a Lewiston grad, was All-Big West last season after making 111 tackles.

Spiva gets kicks

Justin Spiva, who has returned to Idaho after a four-year absence, will be the Vandals’ punter.

“He’s getting his kicks away very quickly, in under 2 seconds, which is pretty good,” Tormey said. Spiva also has shown a strong leg.

Spiva punted at UI as a freshman in 1995, but left after the season due to academic reasons. He resurfaced briefly at Utah State in 1997 before departing with financial problems. He just became eligible to practice at UI late last week.

Yo on the go

Yes, that was former Vandals receiver Yo Murphy (class of ‘92) returning a kick 93 yards for a touchdown in Tampa Bay’s 45-14 rout of New England on Saturday.

Murphy, a World League/NFL Europe standout for years, took a step toward making the Buccaneers with his dazzling return and two receptions for 51 yards.