Idaho Loses Offensive Lineman

Anthony Fuertes, a starting offensive lineman at Idaho most of the last two seasons, has been forced to quit for medical reasons.

Fuertes’ right leg is nearly two inches longer than his left leg and he often walked with a limp. He had surgery at age 13, but the disparity required him to wear a special lift in one shoe.

“He’s bone on bone in both knees,” head coach Tom Cable said. “It’s enough; he can’t do it anymore. We knew that the day would come. Unfortunately it’s now.”

Fuertes, who played all five line positions and tight end in his UI career, plans on staying in school at Idaho, Cable said.

With the emergence of Jake Scott, Fuertes might not have started this season, but he would have been a prime backup, Cable said.

Idaho opens two-a-day practices Monday. Freshmen report today; veterans report Friday.

Idaho basketball

Gonzaga, Washington State, Brigham Young and Saint Louis highlight Idaho’s 2000-01 men’s basketball schedule.

Idaho will have 14 home games, including dates with WSU, Montana State and Eastern Washington. LewisClark State College of Lewiston also visits the Kibbie Dome for an exhibition game. Seven of UI’s first nine games are in Moscow.

Idaho 2000-01 schedule

November: 2 vs. Yakima Sun Kings; 10 vs. Lewis-Clark State College; 17 vs. Wisconsin-Green Bay; 21 vs. Western Montana; 25 at Gonzaga; 29 vs. Washington State.

December: 2 at Saint Louis; 5 vs. St. Martin’s; 9 vs. Long Beach State; 14 at Montana; 16 at Montana State; 23 vs. Montana State; 30 vs. Eastern Washington.

January: 2 at Brigham Young; 6 vs. Utah State; 11 at UC-Irvine; 13 vs. Cal State Fullerton; 20 vs. UC-Santa Barbara; 22. vs Pacific; 25 at Boise State; 27 at Utah State.

February: 3 vs. Cal Poly; 8 at UCSanta Barbara; 10 at Long Beach State; 17 vs. Boise State; 22 at Cal-State Fullerton; 24 at Cal Poly.

March: 3 vs. UC-Irvine; 8-10 Big West Tournament (Anaheim, Calif.).