Best-Laid UI Plans Fall Short

It looked good on paper. It even looked impressive on the field.

But Idaho’s offensive game plan, like nearly everything else it tried during a 66-24 loss to Boise State, fizzled Saturday at Bronco Stadium.

Idaho tried to play keepaway from BSU’s lethal offense. To do so, the Vandals ran Willie Alderson between the tackles, with 314-pound Matt Leituala occasionally serving as the lead blocker at fullback.

Alderson’s first two runs netted just 2 yards. He gained 6 yards on the first play of Idaho’s second series, but Leituala was whistled for a personal foul.

“That was the plan, to come out and give them a new look and buy us some time,” Idaho coach Tom Cable said. “We wanted to see if we could get Willie going. Right from the get-go, we never had a chance to do that.”

That’s because UI’s first three series ended with two punts and an interception. BSU quickly marched on top 21-0.

The Broncos’ defense, thought to be a weak link, gave up 400 yards, but 163 came during mop-up time in the fourth quarter.

“You hear so much about their offense, it’s hard to imagine about their defense,” Vandals senior offensive lineman Patrick Venzke said. “But we found out about it today.”

BSU’s precision offense cast a long shadow.

“Offensively, they’re probably superior to anybody we played this year,” Cable said.

“Defensively, I wouldn’t go that far.”

Cable said BSU quarterback Bart Hendricks is “as good as I’ve seen in a long time.”

Kickin’ back

After a midseason slump, former Coeur d’Alene High kicker Ben Davis finished strong. He won Idaho’s previous two games with field goals. Saturday, he boomed a 52-yard field goal and pulled off two successful onside kicks to teammate Patrick Libey.

“We practiced that a few times throughout the season,” Davis said. “I told Coach (Cable on Friday), `This is the last time we can do that,’ and he said, `Well, we’re going to try.”’

Davis’ first onside kick came in the second quarter, with Idaho trailing 35-10. He lofted a kick to the right sideline that Libey caught on the run. The second one was more impressive as Davis faked kicking with his right leg, then left-footed another strike to Libey.

Next up?

Boise State will face a Western Athletic Conference team in the Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 28 at Bronco Stadium, but Big West commissioner Dennis Farrell said it might take a week or two to determine the foe.

UTEP is the most likely opponent, Farrell said.