Holt satisfied with UI effort
MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho football team marked the end of two-a-day drills with a spirited, productive scrimmage that left first-year coach Nick Holt smiling Saturday morning.
“It was a lot better than last Sunday,” said Holt in reference to UI’s first fall scrimmage a week ago. “The offense looked really sharp. We’re right where we need to be.”
Holt chalked up a couple of bobbles by the offense to freshmen inexperience. The good news was a combined 20-of-30 passing for 236 yards – 12 of 17 for 136 by junior Michael Harrington and 8 of 13 for 100 by redshirt freshman Brian Nooy. Harrington was intercepted by junior linebacker Cole Snyder.
Senior Justin Wall powered his way for 50 yards on eight carries to lead the four running backs who saw action. Freshmen Jayson Bird and Rolly Lumbala had contrasting outings. Bird had 33 yards on 11 tries. Lumbala had 15 on eight but had two lost fumbles. Sophomore Robert Davis scooped up one of those fumbles and ran 96 yards for a TD.
That didn’t temper Holt’s enthusiasm for the progress of the offense. Harrington was accurate on an array of passes to a long list of receivers.
In the early part of the scrimmage, his favorite target was senior Bobby Bernal-Wood, who pulled in four for 76 yards.
“He threw the ball as well as he has,” Holt said of Harrington. “We got a lot of good work today.”
In light of the success by the offense, Holt said of the defense, “We’re OK. There are some guys who are going to have to come through for us.”
The Vandals have an afternoon workout today before taking off Monday – the first day of school. Daily practices will be at 3:45 p.m.