Vandals must set aside grief
EUGENE, Ore. – University of Idaho football coach Nick Holt called it perhaps the longest week of his life, and his players probably feel the same way.
The program has been through an emotional week of tears and touching tributes for redshirt freshman cornerback Eric McMillan, who was shot late Sunday afternoon and died early Monday morning. The players embraced McMillan’s closest relatives and exchanged poignant stories that captured the 19-year-old’s colorful personality.
Today, the Vandals take the field against heavily favored Oregon and it’s anybody’s guess what their collective mindset will be for the 12:30 p.m. kickoff.
“What I expect is for them to come out and compete and play hard for four quarters,” Holt said after Idaho completed a 45-minute walkthrough Friday at Autzen Stadium. “We have to try to move forward. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric and Eric is always going to be with us. But I think Eric would want us to come out and play hard. That’s exactly what we’re going to try to do.
“Obviously, it’s been hard on all of us. As captain of the ship, we have to provide some stable leadership and good examples for the kids. That’s what our staff is trying to accomplish. No question we’re down, but we just have to provide the kids with a guiding light and try to get through all of this.”
On the field, Idaho must deal with a talented opponent that figures to be highly motivated. Oregon is 0-2, gift-wrapping a victory for Indiana in a turnover-plagued season opener and then battling No. 2 Oklahoma for three quarters before falling 31-7.
“When you’re 0-2, I don’t think any game is a letdown,” Ducks coach Mike Bellotti said.
For Idaho to be competitive, it must find a way to score. Idaho has scored just three touchdowns, two in the closing seconds of lopsided losses. The Vandals defense, which has allowed an average of 450.7 yards per game, will be tested by Oregon’s two-pronged running game (Terrence Whitehead and Kenny Washington) and junior quarterback Kellen Clemens.
Opponents have converted on third down 54 percent of the time against Idaho’s defense.
“Their receivers are big and fast, their offensive line is big, their defensive line is big,” Holt said. “They’re a very well-equipped Pac-10 team. Had they played Oklahoma at a neutral site or here, it might have been a different outcome. They went toe-to-toe with Oklahoma for three quarters. That’s what we’re facing.”
Remembering McMillan
Idaho’s walkthrough immediately followed Oregon’s. After the Vandals took the field, an Oregon player presented an Idaho administrator with a poster-sized sympathy card signed by dozens of Ducks players.
“Idaho athletic director Rob Spear said Oregon counterpart Bill Moos has been exceedingly gracious throughout the week.
A moment of silence will be observed just before kickoff and a booth for the Eric McMillan Memorial Fund will be set up on the stadium grounds.
“It’s a tradition at Murrieta (Calif.) Valley High, McMillan’s alma mater, for a few alums to stop by Wednesday practices, but about 30 former Nighthawks attended last Wednesday, the majority former teammates of McMillan. They broke the team huddle at the conclusion of practice by saying, “E-Mac, No. 12” – McMillan’s nickname and prep number.
Murrieta Valley observed a moment of silence at its game Friday and beginning next week the team will wear decals on their helmets with McMillan’s initials.
Coach Wally Clark said, “We’re passing the hat” to start a scholarship fund in McMillan’s name. A memorial service is planned for next weekend.
Notes
UI left tackle Hank Therien (knee) probably won’t start, but he is expected to play. Jade Tadvick will move from guard to left tackle. Freshman Desmond Clark will start his fourth consecutive game at right tackle. Senior running back Justin Wall (concussion) and freshman receiver Christian Populis (hip pointer) didn’t make the trip. Wall is still bothered by headaches.
“Freshman Reggie Jones will probably replace McMillan as the starting cornerback. Herb Cash and Chris Nathan figure to see time at the position. … The Ducks might be without their starting cornerbacks, Aaron Gipson (concussion) and Justin Phinisee (hamstring). … Oregon has been outscored 33-0 in the first half of its two games. In three games, Idaho has been outscored 65-0 in the first half. … Oregon redshirt freshman quarterback Brady Leaf and junior defensive end Devan Long are younger brothers of ex-Washington State standouts Ryan Leaf and Rien Long, respectively.