Vandals’ Durrough Crams For Big Test

If you’re one of James Durrough’s instructors at the University of Idaho, you might have noticed he wasn’t in class earlier this week. He probably won’t be in class later this week.

He has acute Broncos Fever.

Seems to hit him every mid-November the last four or five years.

“There is no other week like Boise State,” said Durrough, a senior defensive end. “I don’t go to class. I watch film every chance I get because this is our last one. I’m going to give it all I can.”

Durrough’s been studying like mad, just not Keynesian economics.

“I’ve done watched every game of theirs,” he says. “They like to throw the ball deep. They’re playing on high ground right now, playing with a lot of emotion. They’ve got a good quarterback, and he likes to get out and run a little bit. They’ve got a great line; we’ve got a great defensive line.”

That’s one of numerous matchups that appear to be even on paper as Idaho prepares for its showdown with the Broncos at 1 p.m. Saturday in Martin Stadium.

To the winner, goes the spoils: Big West title, Humanitarian Bowl berth, Gem State bragging rights.

Last year, Idaho pulled off a stunning 36-35 overtime win to clinch the crown. “It was a huge boost for our program,” UI coach Chris Tormey said. “It sort of validated our program.”

What would a win Saturday mean? “Double validation,” he said. “People may have thought our success last year was a fluke and we can’t do it again. We’ll have to see what happens Saturday.”

Revisiting `The Call’

Boise State coach Dirk Koetter has been part of some of college football’s more celebrated rivalries: Boston College-Notre Dame, Oregon-Oregon State and Missouri-Kansas. But he is a big fan of last year’s Idaho-BSU game, won by the Vandals in overtime on a 2-point conversion.

“I’ve been in a lot of great games - the Missouri-Colorado fifth-down game, beating Notre Dame when I was at Boston College - but (the ‘98 game) was just an awesome college football game,” he said.

“I’ve gone over it a million times in my mind. The courage Coach Tormey showed by going for 2 with the season on the line, that was a huge call. I’ll never forget it.”

“I told him right after the game that was an awesome call. I wouldn’t have made that call.”

At least, not last year.

“We might fake it this year, so you better tell him to watch it,” Koetter said.

Parting shot

Nevada coach Jeff Tisdel, who has resigned effective after Saturday’s finale with Utah State, isn’t one to complain. Not even about the Wolf Pack’s lousy practice field.

But this week, Tisdel moved his team to Mackay Stadium to work out. Usually he doesn’t practice at Mackay until Thursday or Friday for home games.

“I told the guys, `Let’s get off the rock pile for a week,”’ Tisdel said.

Leader of the Pack?

Several NFL assistants have been mentioned as potential candidates at Nevada. There is even some murmur in Reno that Idaho’s Chris Tormey is being considered.

Tormey doesn’t sound as if he’s considering Nevada.

“No, I’m very happy at Idaho and have no intention of making a lateral move,” he said.

Sick bay

UI defensive tackle Mao Tosi (neck stinger) is “day to day,” according to Tormey. Tosi wasn’t cleared by the medical staff to play last Saturday against Montana.

“I do have a gut feeling,” Tormey said. “I hope like hell he plays.”

Running back Michael Moody (turf toe) has rushed for 76, 90 and 86 yards the last three games. Afterward, it appears as if every step is an agonizing experience.

“The toe is no factor right now,” he said. “I’m pretty sure you’ll see me in the same (aching) position after the game. But during the game, it’s going to look like the first game of the season.”

Koetter was coy about BSU’s injuries. He joked that he wouldn’t list injuries unless a reporter could tell him if Tosi is playing.

Told Tosi is day to day, Koetter said, “We’ve got a bunch of guys day to day.”

Notes

Nevada’s Maxzell Williams and Trevor Insley are set to play in the Hula Bowl… . North Texas had six consecutive three-and-outs against Texas Christian last Saturday. Guess that’s how you finish with just three points.