Harrington handles big challenge

MOSCOW, Idaho –Michael Harrington has no intention of giving up the starting quarterback position without a fight.

The senior quarterback was solid in limited duty as the Idaho Vandals wrapped up spring football drills Friday night with the annual Silver and Gold game at the Kibbie Dome. The offense won 33-20 under a modified scoring system that rewarded the defense for forcing punts and turnovers.

Harrington handled four series and two of those were abbreviated – one at the end of the first half and one that followed Antwaun Sherman’s nifty 85-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. Harrington, who has started 17 games over the last two seasons, finished 6 of 10 for 61 yards with one touchdown.

But those weren’t his most important numbers. Harrington didn’t throw an interception. Counting practices and scrimmages, he was picked off only once all spring, that coming in the first scrimmage.

“My completion percentage is as high as it’s ever been, I got us in the right plays and I feel comfortable,” Harrington said. “I think I got a lot better and I’ll continue to get better.”

Harrington is facing a serious challenge from JC transfer Steven Wichman, who was stung by three interceptions. Wichman, who saw probably twice as many repetitions as Harrington, was 9 of 18 for 101 yards with two touchdowns.

“I came into the game excited and I looked in the crowd and there were a lot more people than usual for a spring game,” Wichman said. “Other than the interceptions, I really feel like I had a good spring. It may not have been the performance I wanted to have (Friday), especially with my family here, but overall I think I’ve done well.”

Head coach Nick Holt said he won’t make a quarterback decision this fall “until someone emerges as the clear-cut starter, which really hasn’t happened yet. One guy (Wichman) has a better arm, but the other guy (Harrington) doesn’t make as many mistakes, so we’ll see how it unfolds.”

Both quarterbacks will remain in Moscow this summer to work with the receivers.

“Mike has been great with (the competition),” quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith said. “I’ve been proud of Michael. He’s helping Steve and the young guys out. And he’s improved. He’s playing better than he ever has.”

Part of the reason for both quarterbacks’ success this spring is that Idaho has upgraded its speed and has more playmakers than in recent years. Sherman ripped off a 64-yard TD run on a sweep and he’s a threat on kick returns.

The receiving unit has been bolstered with the addition of JC transfers Matt Askew (four catches, 58 yards, two touchdowns) and Daniel Smith (four catches, 38 yards). Tracy Ford is another speedy option as a receiver and carrying the ball.

Askew left a couple of defenders grasping at air on his 27-yard scoring play.

The Vandals have expanded their offensive package with their new personnel.

“I think we’re a little quicker,” Holt said. “We better be quicker than last year. I like the way our offense is coming around. We’re a little more multiple and we can cause some problems with motion. There’s no question we have better players and we’re a year smarter in the system.”

The defense rarely blitzed and played, in Holt’s words, “pretty vanilla.”

Still, cornerback Jason Martin intercepted an ill-advised Wichman pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown.

Brandon Mascorro and Tone Taupule also had interceptions.

Defensive end Taylor Rust recovered a fumble.

“We made some mistakes, but that’s going to happen,” Holt said “Everybody’s feeling good about themselves and there were good plays on both sides of the ball. So we go into summer workouts with a good feeling about our program.”