Vandals

FAST FACTS

Head coach

Chris Tormey (5th season, 26-19)

Assistants

Phil Earley, quarterbacks, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach; Jeff Mills, defensive line, defensive coordinator; Charlie Camp, defensive line; Rick Courtright, linebackers; Randy Hall, tight ends; Todd Hoiness, offensive line; Jim Mastro, running backs; Kim McCleod, secondary; Paul Skansi, receivers.

Director of athletic training services

Barrie Steele.

Band members

175; Torrey Lawrence, director.

Spirit group

16 (eight women, eight men); also eight-member dance team; Shelly Femreite, director.

Top ex-Vandals in the NFL

Jeff Robinson, Mike Hollis, John Friesz, Ryan Phillips, Mark Schlereth, Spencer Folau, Marvin Washington, Yo Murphy.

1998 draft picks

None.

On the air

Television: Fox Sports Net will broadcast the Idaho-Eastern Washington game live. Possibility of several games being televised on local cable (stay tuned).

Radio: KVNI 1080 AM Coeur d’Alene; KHTR 104.3 FM Moscow-Pullman; KWAL 620 AM Silver Valley; KSPT 1400 AM Sandpoint; KBFI 1450 AM Bonners Ferry. < DEPTH CHARTS

Offense Pos. No. Player Ht., Wt. Year WR 21 Ryan Prestimonico 5-9, 186 Sr.

15 Jeffrey Townsley 6-2, 199 Jr. LT 69 Rick DeMulling 6-5, 295 Jr.

77 Josh Jelinek 6-4, 275 Fr. LG 75 Cleve Aiono 6-2, 282 Sr.

68 Matt Leituala 6-1, 283 Jr. C 52 Jeremy Wallace 6-3, 278 Jr.

63 Glenn Vaagen 6-4 272 So. RG 61 Anthony Fuertes 6-4, 286 So.

66 Brett Morton 6-5, 328 Jr. RT 60 Patrick Venzke 6-6, 295 Jr.

79 Seann Mumford 6-6, 281 Fr. TE 86 Mike Roberg 6-4, 265 So.

85 Travis Stombaugh 6-3, 225 Sr. QB 13 John Welsh 6-2, 211 So.

1 Ed Dean 6-2, 206 Jr. RB 20 Willie Alderson 6-0, 195 Jr.

11 Michael Moody 5-10, 204 Sr. WR 80 Ethan Jones 6-1, 206 So.

81 Rossi Martin 6-0, 171 Jr. WR 3 Chris Lacy 6-0, 183 So.

36 Vern Benard 5-8, 173 Jr. PK 33 Ben Davis 6-1, 187 Jr.

41 Jerid Keefer 5-11, 203 Jr.

Defense Pos. No. Player Ht., Wt. Year DE 50 Ryan Knowles 6-3, 258 So.

88 Jake Wimer 6-4, 241 Jr. DT 98 Mao Tosi 6-6, 298 Sr.

99 Mike Jones 6-3, 270 Fr. DT 91 Wil Beck 6-2, 305 So.

54 J.J. Johnston 6-2, 254 Jr. DE 40 James Durrough 6-0, 227 Sr.

96 Dennis Taeatafa 6-3, 252 So. WLB 38 Chris Nofoaiga 5-10, 206 Jr.

26 Rick Giampietri 5-10, 200 Jr. MLB 23 Laki Ah Hi 6-0, 239 So.

40 James Durrough 6-0, 227 Sr. SLB 35 Matt Jasik 5-11, 221 Sr.

58 Jason Daniel 6-0, 215 Jr. CB 22 Dennis Gibbs 5-10, 180 Jr.

30 Ighe Evero 5-11, 190 So. FS 18 Brad Rice 6-1, 203 So.

28 Nicq Hale 5-10, 163 Fr. SS 10 Bryson Gardner 6-0, 202 Sr.

14 Ed Rankin 6-1, 195 Fr. CB 7 Cleavon Bradshaw 5-9, 163 Jr.

24 Husan Smith 5-10, 174 So. P 32 Justin Spiva 5-9, 190 Sr.

24 Jeremy Fitzgerald 5-11, 203 Fr. LS 54 J.J. Johnston 6-2, 254 Jr. KRET 7 Cleavon Bradshaw 5-9, 163 Jr.

3 Chris Lacy 6-0, 183 So. PRET 36 Vern Benard 5-8, 173 Jr.

81 Rossi Martin 6-0, 171 Jr.

QUESTION MARKS, EXCLAMATION POINTS

Question Marks

Can defensive end/linebacker James Durrough stay healthy after missing most of ‘98 with torn knee ligament?

Will placekicker Ben Davis develop accuracy?

Is Brad Rice the answer at free safety, following injury to expected starter Jordan Kramer?

Will running-back-by-committee (Willie Alderson, Michael Moody, Anthony Tenner and Rahimu Pettit) do the job Joel Thomas did a year ago?

Can Vandals retain the magical chemistry that led to stunning ‘98 season?

Exclamation points

Vandals return 19 starters, including ‘95 punter Justin Spiva.

UI was 4-0 in games decided by a touchdown or less last year, which helps explain how the Vandals were 4-1 in the Big West despite scoring and yielding 162 points.

Seven defensive starters have earned All-Big West honors within the past two seasons.

Seven of the top eight pass catchers from ‘98 return, though Willie Alderson has moved from receiver to running back.

WHAT’S IN, WHAT’S OUT

What’s in

Martin Stadium. The Vandals are playing at WSU’s facility in attempt to reach Division I-A attendance requirements.

New uniforms. UI will wear the unis - sans Humanitarian Bowl logo - it wore in dumping Southern Mississippi 42-35 last December. The new look features shadow numerals and a thick stripe from the waist to shoulder.

Local. Of 24 starters on offense, defense, punter and placekicker, eight are from the region - TE Mike Roberg (University High), RB Willie Alderson (Nampa), C Jeremy Wallace (Post Falls), OT Rick DeMulling (Cheney), PK Ben Davis (Coeur d’Alene), FS Brad Rice (Lewiston), DT Wil Beck (Central Valley), DE Ryan Knowles (Sandpoint).

What’s out

The Kibbie Dome, Idaho’s home since 1975.

The acknowledged leaders of the ‘98 team - running back Joel Thomas on offense, linebacker Ryan Skinner on defense. The new leaders - quarterback John Welsh and receiver Ryan Prestimonico on offense; tackle Mao Tosi, defensive end/linebacker James Durrough and safety Bryson Gardner.

Perhaps the Big West, which is on life support with the loss of Nevada following this season.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The fastest

Overall: Linebacker Chris Nofoaiga, 4.39 in 40. Running back: Willie Alderson, 4.48. Defensive lineman: tie, Daniel Benetka, James Durrough, 4.8.

Offensive lineman: Rick DeMulling, 5.05.

The strongest

Overall: Defensive tackles Daniel Benetka and Wil Beck.

Bench press: Rick DeMulling, J.J. Johnston and Daniel Benetka, 430 pounds.

Power clean: Linebacker Chris Nofoaiga, 385 pounds, two times.

Squat: Wil Beck, 675 pounds, three times.

The toughest

Linebacker James Durrough. Best blocker Tackle Rick DeMulling.

Toughest to block

Defensive tackle Mao Tosi.

Best cover man

Cornerback Dennis Gibbs.

Most impressive stat

The bottom line. Idaho is 70-37 in the 1990s and has posted winning records 16 of the last 17 years.

Least impressive stat

One of the few statistical categories Idaho didn’t win last year was turnovers. UI had 32 and forced just 22.

Players by state/country

Washington 44, Idaho 24, California 23, Oregon 7, Utah 2, Alaska 2, Germany 2, Arizona 1, Colorado 1, Florida 1, Illinois 1.

Academic all-star

Rick Giampietri, Big West All-Academic.

SCHEDULE

All times Pacific. Home games in CAPS.

Date Opponent Time Comment Sept. 2 vs. EWU (Albi Stadium) 7:30 p.m. Mane Event: UI Linebacker Matt Jasik vs. EWU quarterback Fred Salanoa Sept. 11 at Auburn 4 p.m. UI gets big payday and a bonus outside chance to win Sept. 18 WASHINGTON STATE 1 p.m. If UI and WSU are 1-1, is this game a pick ‘em? Oct. 2 at Wyoming Noon Cowboys might be best team on Idaho’s schedule Oct. 9 NORTH TEXAS 6 p.m. Memo to Mean Green: Learn the forward pass Oct. 16 at Arkansas State 2 p.m. Indians will have last year’s 52-14 thrashing on their minds< Oct. 23 UTAH STATE 6 p.m. Aggies have slipped in Big West hierarchy Oct. 30 at New Mexico State 5 p.m. No Denvis Manns, but program is still on rise Nov. 6 at Nevada Noon UI defense barely a speed bump last two years Nov. 13 at Montana 11 a.m. Griz loaded; could be the wrong year to renew this rivalry Nov. 20 BOISE STATE 2 p.m. “The Call” still ringing in ears of BSU staff

GAME DAY Stadium: Martin (capacity: 37,500). From I-90: Take U.S. 195 south to Pullman, follow signs to stadium; or take U.S. 95 south to Moscow, then Highway 8 to Pullman.

Tickets Season tickets: Adult reserved-seat $60, high school and under reservedseat $32, family general (2 adults, 3 high school and under) $120. Individual game packages: Family game pass general (2 adults, 3 high school) $30 for WSU and BSU; $25 for North Texas and Utah State. Individual game tickets: Reserved seat $18 for WSU and BSU; $14 for North Texas and Utah State; Adult general $9 for WSU and BSU; $8 for North Texas and Utah State; high school and under general, $6 for WSU and BSU, $5 for North Texas and Utah State. Info: Call 1-8888-UIDAHO (1-888-884-3246).