UI Faces Different Challenge Montana Will Pass And Pass With Miller At Quarterback

Idaho’s defense faces another challenge today - one that’s the polar opposite of last Saturday.

Montana’s Drew Miller and Washington’s Marques Tuiasosopo have little in common, other than a proven ability to move their respective offenses.

Miller is a drop-back passer whose worst game in 11 starts at Montana was an injury-shortened 242-yard effort. Tuiasosopo was lethal on option keepers and had the ability to escape pass rushers.

“As good as Marques was at the option, Miller is as good throwing the football,” said Idaho coach Tom Cable, whose Vandals entertain Montana today at 1:07 at Martin Stadium.

Montana has an option package, but doesn’t figure to run it nearly as much as Washington, which downed Idaho 44-20 last week.

“You’ll see more of (Idaho’s base defense) for the simple fact that the option makes you play assignment football,” Cable said. “I know our coaches are excited about getting back to our base stuff.”

They’ll be more excited if nose tackle Wil Beck is available. Beck broke a bone in his right hand in practice this week. He practiced Thursday, “but he didn’t do much, it was probably still pretty sore,” Cable said.

Cable’s gut feeling is Beck won’t play. “We won’t make a decision until (Saturday),” Cable said.

With or without Beck, Cable said Idaho won’t be onedimensional in defending Montana’s offense.

“We’ll mix it up so Miller’s not seeing the whole pressure thing,” Cable said. “He has to see some disguises and zone coverages.”

Montana’s defensive line faces a challenge of its own. The front four averages 261 pounds, roughly 40 pounds lighter per man than Idaho’s offensive line.

“I know Tom wants to run the ball, I’ve watched him a little bit and I’ve listened to him talk, and he’s passionate about running the ball,” Glenn said. “It’s critical that we hold up.”

As for Idaho, it’s critical it holds on. Five turnovers, including a couple of unforced errors, led to 30 Huskies points last week.

“Ball security, first and foremost, is our top priority,” Cable said.

Notes

About 300 people attended rainy ground-breaking ceremonies for Idaho’s East End addition Friday afternoon. The $13 million project, which includes a new weight room, Hall of Fame, locker room, meeting rooms, training facilities and office space, is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2002… . Cable on Montana’s defense: “They’re very physical and they play hard. They’ll probably play harder than Washington, in terms of pure running and hitting you.” … Most Vandals will wear cleats on the new FieldTurf at Martin Stadium because the synthetic surface resembles grass. “I just wore regular spikes on it (at Husky Stadium),” quarterback John Welsh said. “It’s like the short grass that we played on at Auburn. No turf burns and you don’t take the pounding.”

Following the 10-9 loss to Hofstra last week, some messages on Montana’s official Web site became too critical, prompting A.D. Wayne Hogan to issue a change in posting policy, the Missoulian reported. “We will post … only those items that are constructive and informative in nature and will contribute to the continued success of our program and its mission in competition and recruiting,” Hogan wrote on the Web site.