UI Considering Detour Through Happy Valley

University of Idaho athletic director Mike Bohn has tried to stick to a basic football scheduling philosophy: Play regional non-conference games.

Then Penn State called. It’s not a done deal yet, but Bohn likes Idaho’s chances of visiting Happy Valley in 2004 or 2005.

“I think it makes sense,” Bohn said. “It’s an opportunity to be featured against one of the premier programs in America. Financially it makes sense, and the kids get excited about playing a team like that.”

It makes a ton of financial sense - perhaps more than $500,000. It’s just that Bohn might have to convince new football coach Tom Cable it makes cents, er, sense.

“I wouldn’t like that; the trip, the whole thing,” Cable said of possibly playing Penn State. “I like the other ones (Washington, Oregon, Washington State, perhaps Oregon State or California). Washington and Washington State are good because it fits. We recruit up here. It’s big for the kids.”

Idaho will join the Sun Belt in 2001, which means long-distance opponents from Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. That increases the importance of playing closer to home in non-conference games, Bohn said.

Idaho will face WSU every season for the foreseeable future, Washington five of the next six years and Oregon three of the next six.

Boise State and Montana are fixtures on Idaho’s schedule for years. BSU, which leaves the Big West for the WAC after the 2000 season, will become an early-season foe instead of the traditional regular-season finale in November. In fact, Idaho will open the 2002 season Aug. 31 in Boise.

Bohn hopes to add Oregon State or Cal to future schedules. “I would cherish playing (OSU coach) Coach (Dennis) Erickson,” said Cable, who played for Erickson at Idaho in the early 1980s.

Bohn wants to play Penn State in 2004, when Idaho doesn’t face UW. Oregon is on the 2000, 2002 and 2004 schedules.

“The gist of it is we’re continuing to look for opportunities and games that showcase the university and allow the alumni to be involved,” Bohn said.

Washington will pay Idaho about $400,000, a healthy sum considering the Vandals can bus to Seattle and avoid airfare expense.

Taeatafa out

Defensive end Dennis Taeatafa has returned home to San Diego to be with his mother, who is in failing health. Taeatafa, who was in the running for a starting spot, is expected to miss the season.

“He can play football the rest of his life,” Cable said. “He needs to be home right now.”

Summer gridders

Cable said 52 players are presently in Moscow, taking classes and/or working out in preparation for the season.

“They’re taking a course or two and they don’t have the pressure of having to perform or spring ball where they’re trying to earn a job,” Cable said. “And it helps us with football because they can be training and working out.”