UI Defense Prefers To Avoid Repeat Stop Troops Look Good, But End Run Looms

Been here, don’t want to do that again.

Idaho’s defense is putting up better stats than last year’s unit at comparable stages of the season. The Vandals are allowing fewer yards, but the bottom line of points permitted is nearly identical.

What Idaho wants to avoid is another closing month like last season’s. Not that the Vandals are complaining about winning three of their last four and the ‘98 Big West Conference championship. But the defense gave up 58, 23, 32 and 35 points the last four games, and another 35 to Southern Miss in the Humanitarian Bowl.

“I think so, so far,” head coach Chris Tormey says, when asked if this is UI’s best defense in his five seasons. “But we’ve still got four games left.”

And, like ‘98, those four are against some of the better offenses Idaho will face. Nevada torched Idaho for 761 yards a year ago. Saturday’s foe, New Mexico State, hung up 32 points and Boise State gained 599 yards.

“Last year we were playing really good defense, but toward the end we all faded out a little,” four-year starting safety Bryson Gardner said.

“It’s a big emphasis, not to fade out. We talk about finishing and swarming. That’s what we have to do - finish the year.”

The ‘98 defense finished, too, despite a bit of a wobble. It forced five Southern Miss turnovers, made a goal-line stand versus Boise State and held New Mexico State to roughly half of its usual 253 rushing yards. It made for great theater and three of the most exciting games in school history.

Meanwhile, coaches probably chewed Tums by the handful.

The memories of ‘98 make defensive coordinator Jeff Mills beam. He has no desire to compare the two defenses, but he likes what he’s seen from his current crew.

“Obviously we’d like to keep it going down the stretch,” Mills says. “Our thing is to get better every game. Each game becomes more important in the conference race.”

There appear to be detectable differences from last year. This unit has more speed and depth. It is also bigger up front. Most of the players have been together for at least two years, meaning they’re wiser and more comfortable with the scheme.

The “Flex” scheme, too, has evolved. After visiting with the University of Arizona’s staff the last two years, Idaho has tinkered with the alignment of its front four, often shifting players to give opponents more to think about.

The Vandals also are playing more man-to-man coverage.

That’s a byproduct of the adhesive coverage of cornerbacks Dennis Gibbs and Cleavon Bradshaw, and the work of Gardner, who moved from free to strong safety, and Brad Rice. Gardner held Utah State’s Aaron Jones, the Big West’s second-leading receiver, to one catch.

The result has been a rush defense that is ninth in the nation, a pass defense that is 20th and a scoring defense that is 21st.

“We’re not giving up as many big plays and the secondary is a big part of that,” Tormey says.

Thus far, Idaho has allowed only 14 pass plays of 25 yards or longer and 11 runs of 15 or more yards. That’s a significant improvement over last season.

There are other reasons to believe the defense won’t lurch to the finish line. Idaho has developed depth where little existed last season. Mao Tosi and Wil Beck are having fine seasons, but backup J.J. Johnston has been productive for several series each game. He has four quarterback hurries, trailing Tosi’s team-high six and James Durrough’s five.

The return of Jordan Kramer adds depth to the secondary. Linebacker Jason Daniel, from University High, has stepped in for injured Matt Jasik and has four QB hurries and recovered a fumble. Reserve Laki Ah Hi has experience as a starter. Dennis Taeatafa is a steady end who can spell Durrough or Ryan Knowles.

Durrough, returning from a major knee injury, appears to be reaching full speed. Last week he was used at end and weak-side linebacker and was productive in both spots.

The move of Chris Nofoaiga to middle linebacker has been effective. He started the year at outside linebacker. Nofoaiga leads the team in tackles, sacks and fumble recoveries.

Three former walk-ons will start Saturday: Nofoaiga, Central Valley grad Rick Giampietri and Daniel. They rate first, third and fifth in tackles.

“Since I’ve been here this is probably the fastest defense we’ve had. We have a lot of guys that can get to the ball and when they get there they can make plays,” Gardner says. “You can see it in the tackles. It’s never been that widespread.”

At a school where offense has carried the freight much of the last two decades, the defense is bidding for equal time.

“Our strength is that we have really good character,” Mills said. “Guys like Giampietri, Nofo, Tosi, Beck, you can go on and on. They work hard daily.”

Now, if they can carry that over the next month…

This sidebar appeared with the story:

By the numbers Comparing the University of Idaho’s defense over the past season and a half, including yards and points allowed per game:

1999 through 7 1998 through 7 1998 through 11 Rushing yards 84 110 138 Passing yards 199 226 254 Total yards 283 336 392 Points 19.0 19.1 25.6