UI’s Holt gets his wish

MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho football coach Nick Holt wanted competition and that’s what he’s going to get.

The Vandals opened spring drills Saturday with most eyes focused on the quarterback position where rising senior Michael Harrington and J.C. transfer Steven Wichman will duel for the starting job.

It’s a battle that will probably go through the next 14 spring practices and into fall.

“When it’s all said and done, I think that position might be the most competitive,” Holt said following Idaho’s 2-hour, 15-minute workout in the Kibbie Dome. “I’m hoping.”

Harrington, already on several of Idaho’s top 10 career lists, completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 2,222 yards last season. He had 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while compiling a passer rating of 125.5.

Harrington hasn’t been immune to competition in his first three years at Idaho. He won the back-up job initially and in 2003 he was named the starter over Brian Lindgren, then a returning All-Sun Belt selection. By midseason, Lindgren reclaimed the starting role. Harrington wasn’t pushed as the starter last season.

“You can’t look at it as a negative,” said Harrington, who hooked up with J.C. transfer Matt Askew for several lengthy completions. “You’re going to have competition no matter what it is – your job, fighting for your girlfriend. There’s competition in everything in life and it’s a good thing.”

Wichman, a sturdily built 6-foot-3, 224-pounder, showed ample arm strength and connected on several deep throws. He, too, is no stranger to competition.

“My first year (at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif.) I split time and it was competitive every practice,” he said. “I didn’t like switching off and I’m sure (the other quarterback) didn’t like it either, but that’s how the coach did it. I’m not afraid of (competition) and I’m sure Mike’s not afraid of it either.

“Whatever happens at the end of spring, I’m not going to back down and Mike’s not going to back down. The outcome is only going to be for the better from us pushing each other.”

Harrington spent the off-season working on his conditioning and fine-tuning his fundamentals.

“I’m just trying to get the ball into the hands of the receivers and not make them make a tough catch,” Harrington said. “I have to do my job for them to do their job.”

Learning the offense is Wichman’s first priority.

“Mike is really smart,” Wichman said. “The thing that separates him from me and the other quarterbacks is he really knows the system very well. I won’t catch up by the end of (spring). It’s going to go from him knowing the plays to me knowing them somewhat, but I’m sure by the end you’ll see a progression.”

Foot patrol

Mike Barrow, who handled kicking and punting duties last year, appears more comfortable with his expected single role as the place-kicker. The rising junior displayed plenty of leg strength and accuracy on field goals from 40 yards and beyond. He missed once on a kick that bounced off the top of the right upright.

“He had a really good day and he was really accurate,” Holt said. “I think it’ll make him that much better.”

Barrow was 4 of 12 on field goals last season.

Freshman T.J. Conley is trying to win the punting job and he boomed several punts early in practice. Conley, who passed for more than 10,000 yards during his prep career at DeSales, is also one of six Vandal quarterbacks.

Homecoming

Mike Anderson is back in his comfort zone at outside linebacker. The rising senior from Lewiston High played defensive end last season after spending his first two seasons at linebacker.

“I feel I can make more of an impact,” Anderson said of his latest position change.

Anderson’s arrival gives Idaho four experienced linebackers in 2004 leading tackler Cole Snyder, Robert Davis and Nate Nichols, as well as Josh Bousman and David Vobora, who saw limited time as a true freshman.

Notes

Former Sandpoint High and Vandal standout Ryan Knowles is helping coach defensive linemen as a graduate assistant. “The more Vandals we have coming back into the program, the better,” Holt said… . Idaho practiced in the Kibbie Dome because the outdoor field was sloppy from Friday’s rain.