Opportunity for hard knocks

It happens every year in every college football program. A young pup beats out an established senior.

That is and isn’t the case at the University of Idaho, where the youth movement under second-year head coach Nick Holt is, not coincidentally, in its second year. First of all, nobody is entrenched. The best player plays, but, depth permitting, Holt prefers a rotation at several positions. It makes for a happy locker room, not to mention a better football team.

That’s what’s occurring at outside linebacker, as well as defensive end, defensive tackle, tight end, running back and receiver.

Sophomore outside linebacker Josh Bousman has unseated senior Nate Nichols, who has made 15 career starts. On the opposite side, sophomore David Vobora and senior Mike Anderson essentially split time last Saturday, with Vobora getting 39 snaps and Anderson 41.

“It’s always a tough situation,” linebackers coach Johnny Nansen said. “With older kids, you always want them to play, but in this business we’re looking to improve in all areas and positions.

“Nate is doing some good things. Josh is playing hard and making a lot of plays. Both guys are helping, and both play a lot, but right now Josh is doing things. Nate didn’t lose it (the starting job); he’s still one of the guys we count on. Josh has got in and he’s taken advantage of the situation.”

Bousman said he could see where the situation could become uncomfortable, but it doesn’t, because of his relationship with Nichols.

“If you’re not trying to compete, you’re not being a football player,” the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Bousman said. “It’s hard because I look up to him so much and he’s always out there helping me every day. We just sort of build off each other.”

Like numerous past Vandals, Bousman has constructed a promising career from a small-school background. He was a four-year starter at Tacoma Baptist, where his team lost twice in the state championship game. Bousman piled up 5,043 rushing yards and 69 touchdowns, primarily in his junior and senior seasons, while starting at several defensive positions over four years.

Tacoma Baptist’s enrollment is 120, Bousman estimated, roughly the size of the Idaho football team, counting walk-ons and coaches.

He drew some recruiting interest from Pac-10 schools, but Idaho was the only one to offer a scholarship. It was also made clear after his visit that Bousman’s days at running back were over.

“I don’t miss running back,” Bousman said. “Defense is a lot more fun. You just get to fly around and hit people.”

Football and faith are cornerstones in Bousman’s family. His grandfather was a kicker at Eastern New Mexico and once toe-punched a 51-yard field goal, earning the nickname, “The Man with the Educated Toe.”

His dad, Dean, is a minister in Tacoma who played running back and safety on a Marines service team.

“He comes to all my games, and he’s probably the loudest cheerer in the crowd,” Bousman said.

Win or lose on Saturdays, Bousman always try to make Sunday services at St. Augustine’s in Moscow, Idaho, often with a couple of teammates.

“You’ll see he’s all beat up (from the game),” the Rev. Bill Taylor said, “but he comes.”

Bousman is active in the Moscow church.

“He’s really smart,” Taylor said. “His interests are philosophy. Right now he’s studying Greek on his own. He’s really thoughtful, sincere. He has a deep religious faith, and he has a very good heart with other people.”

Many of those people, including Taylor, now attend Vandals games.

“Oh, man,” Taylor said, “just watching him you see he puts his whole heart and soul into it.”

Injury update

Idaho’s depleted offensive line welcomes back Desmond Clark (death in the family) and Nate VanderPol (knee), but probably will be without Marcis Fennell (shoulder).

The secondary will be without safety Jevon Butler and cornerback Reggie Jones. Butler has missed two games following the death of his mother. Holt said Butler’s surgically repaired knee isn’t mending and he’ll probably miss the rest of the season. Jones, a reserve cornerback, violated team rules.

Desmond Belton has moved from receiver to safety. “He’s going to be a good one,” Holt said. “He just needs to learn our stuff.”

Running back Antwaun Sherman (ankle) and guard Jade Tadvick (appendectomy) are expected to be ready for Fresno State on Oct. 22.