Vandals’ replacements step up in win over Utah State

Idaho lined up without six starters on offense against Utah State on Saturday and still managed to put up 20 points, gain 339 total yards and hold roughly a six-minute edge in time of possession.

“A bunch of guys stepped up that haven’t played a lot,” head coach Nick Holt said. “You can’t do anything about that stuff. You just plug the next guy in and compete at the same level as starters.”

The Vandals were without linemen Jade Tadvick, Nate VanderPol and Desmond Clark, receiver Daniel Smith and running back Jayson Bird. Bird, tight end Luke Smith-Anderson, who had his spleen removed in preseason, and punter T.J. Conley (broken leg) are out for the year.

Smith (concussion) is expected to play Saturday against Nevada. VanderPol has a chance to return and Clark should be available after a death in the family last week. Safety Jevon Butler also has missed two games after the death of his mother.

Freshmen Billy Bates, Adam Korby and Kris Anderson teamed with sophomore Marcis Fennell and junior Hank Therien up front.

“We ran the ball better than the (Hawaii) game,” Holt said. “The passing game was better and we protected better. We had a couple of sacks that we should have been able to get the pass away, but the (line) was more cohesive and the running backs did a better job of breaking tackles.”

With all the new faces, Holt said he had little choice but to put his team through a tough week of practice.

“We had to get some things accomplished and we had to get some guys ready that hadn’t played,” Holt said. “It’s hard to get the reps in when you’re not in full pads. We’re still very young and we have to get all the work we can get.”

Special delivery

Saturday’s 44-41 loss to Boise State left Hawaii kicking itself. The Broncos blocked two kicks – which turned into nine points – and returned a kickoff for another score.

Hawaii had a chance to tie the score at 42 with 3:03 left, but its PAT was blocked by All-WAC offensive lineman Daryn Colledge and returned for a two-point conversion by starting cornerback Orlando Scandrick. It was the second time those two combined on a blocked kick. The first came on a field-goal attempt that Colledge blocked and Scandrick returned 69 yards for a touchdown.

“I thought we were more physical than them on offense and defense, but we just didn’t get the job done on special teams,” Warriors coach June Jones said.

BSU typically fields quality special teams, in part because of its willingness to use starters.

“We try to put our best guys out there,” BSU coach Dan Hawkins said. “It’s not a place where you’re trying to throw a bone to somebody. There are too many things that can happen and too much space.”

The win was BSU’s 27th straight in the WAC.

Scheduling blues

Like many WAC schools, Fresno State has had difficulty scheduling home games against I-A foes. One consideration is to play Hawaii twice, including a non-conference game in Japan.

“June (Jones) and I have talked about it,” Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. “I thought it would be a neat opportunity to get a I-A game with two teams that have a good rivalry and both teams would make some revenue.”

Fresno State, which has a November road date with USC, has never shied away from playing marquee opponents on the road. Hill said FSU had an open date that it tried to fill with Cal, Stanford or Washington State, but those teams opted to face I-AAs. The Bulldogs ended up scheduling I-AA Weber State.

“With the 12th game (that goes into effect in 2006) we thought it was going to be a great opportunity for WAC, MAC, Mountain West and Conference USA teams, but when they added in that I-AA wins count toward (the six-win) bowl requirement, it just adds another home game for the BCS conference teams,” Hill said.

Hill also endorses the idea of a playoff involving the WAC, MAC, Mountain West and Conference USA.

Notes

Idaho senior linebacker Mike Anderson, whose 71-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed Idaho’s 27-13 win over Utah State, was named WAC defensive player of the week. … Idaho had no points in the Harris Interactive Poll after mysteriously receiving five points a week ago. … Fresno State welcomed the return of All-WAC defensive tackle Garrett McIntyre. He had been sidelined with an ankle injury. … San Jose State coach Dick Tomey, whose team lost 30-23 to Nevada: “Almost getting there is part of getting there.”