UI Receiver Townsley Kicked Off Team

University of Idaho football coach Tom Cable says his message of discipline and accountability is sinking in with most of his players.

But not all.

Senior wide receiver Jeffrey Townsley has been booted off the team for violating Cable’s threestrikes policy. Three transgressions, such as missing class or being late to meetings, can prompt a player’s exit.

Cable said starting cornerback Cleavon Bradshaw and Duval Seamster, the top reserve cornerback, won’t accompany the team to North Texas this weekend because they missed a weight-lifting session last week.

“If you do the right thing, you never have a problem. Out of 100 guys, we have a lot of guys doing the right thing, taking care of business every day,” Cable said. “Our number of strikes have gone down dramatically. I think we have two in the last two months.”

Townsley committed his third strike last week during Idaho’s bye week.

Townsley reported to fall workouts overweight, but he had worked his way into the starting lineup. He was fifth on the team with 17 catches for a team-high 17.9 yards per reception. He also returned 11 kickoffs for an average of 19 yards.

Townsley caught 31 passes for 462 yards and six touchdowns in 1998. Last season, he had 37 receptions for 449 yards and two TDs.

He’ll be replaced by Josh Jelmberg, who is tied with Chris Lacy with a team-high 33 catches. Running back Willie Alderson probably will take Townsley’s spot on kick returns.

Bradshaw was coming off a subpar performance in Idaho’s 31-14 loss to Utah State, but he’s been solid most of the season. He’s made 38 tackles and leads the team with three interceptions.

Seamster, a transfer from Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., has started three games this season. He has 24 tackles and one interception.

“We have a number of lifts every week, and it’s just the policy of the program,” Cable said. “If you don’t get your training and preparation done, you’re not ready to play. Therefore, you don’t.”

Sophomore Tim Sams will start in Bradshaw’s place. Senior Ighe Evero, who has seen extensive time at safety and corner, is next on the depth chart.

North Texas is last in the Big West in scoring (11.2 points per game) and pass offense (94.8 yards).

Townsley and Bradshaw were second-team All-Big West last year.

New Vandal

Idaho now has six oral commitments, the latest coming from Walla Walla High two-way standout Nate Nichols.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Nichols starts at receiver/tight end and safety. Former Vandals quarterback Eric Hisaw is an assistant coach at Walla Walla.

Nichols has been timed at 4.58 seconds for 40 yards. He was all-Big Nine Conference last season and made some all-state teams, coach Marc Yonts said.

Nichols has 16 catches for 311 yards and six TDs. He also returns punts and kickoffs.

Yonts said Nichols was being recruited by Montana, Eastern Washington, Washington and Oregon State, as well as some Ivy League schools.