UI offense dominates scrimmage

The numbers for the quarterbacks were good, the running backs took turns in impressive fashion, the receivers – for the most part – were sure-handed, the defense was sound, and special teams provided a big play or two in the Idaho Vandals’ scrimmage on Saturday.

Question marks about the running back position that lingered after last season are being replaced by questions about which of a number of talented young backs is going to fill the void. Saturday, head coach Nick Holt provided some insight.

“We’re going to be running-back-by-committee,” Holt said in a UI press release. “We’ll go with the hot guy.”

Saturday that was sophomore Cliff Mason, who scored on four of his eight carries. All told, he covered 62 yards with TDs of one, two, 13 and 25. Evidence of the depth came in the form of true freshman Jayson Bird with five carries for 65 yards; senior Justin Wall with six carries for 39 yards, and true freshman Rolly Lumbala with 16 yards on four carries.

After a bit of a sluggish start, junior quarterback Michael Harrington warmed up to the task and completed 15 of 23 passes for 170 yards. He was intercepted once and threw for one TD – a 6-yarder to Wall.

He connected on 11 of his final 13 throws. Redshirt freshman Brian Nooy was 6 for 11 for 61 yards.

Junior Jeff Stowe led the receivers with four catches for 46 yards.

– From news services