Young line overmatched

SEATTLE – It was a long, painful day for the University of Idaho offensive line.

Short-handed to begin with because of injuries, the Vandals were blistered up front by Washington during a 34-6 loss Saturday at Husky Stadium.

The Vandals played two redshirt freshmen, a true freshman, a sophomore and a junior up front for much of the second half. The results were predictable. Washington blitzed often, racked up seven sacks and smothered Idaho’s running game.

“We knew they were going to blitz on second and third downs, and obviously they did,” said junior guard Jade Tadvick. “We didn’t have an answer for it.”

Starting right tackle Hank Therien (neck) didn’t make the trip. In the first half, starting left tackle Nate VanderPol left with a sprained MCL knee ligament. Redshirt freshman right guard Kris Anderson missed a chunk of the game with a sore knee.

At times, Idaho played true freshman Billy Bates at left tackle, Tadvick at left guard, redshirt freshman Adam Korby at center, Anderson at right guard and true sophomore Desmond Clark at right tackle.

“It was just a lot of different fire (blitz) zones coming from a lot of different directions,” Husky defensive coordinator Kent Baer said.

Idaho was left with a long injury list and no excuses.

“I know we need to get tougher at some positions and play through some injuries,” coach Nick Holt said. “I know that.”

In fairness, some of the sacks weren’t the line’s fault. On one first-half play, Husky tackle Manase Hopoi plowed over running back Rolly Lumbala en route to sacking quarterback Steven Wichman.

Huskies or Cougars?

Idaho players were asked to compare Washington and Washington State. The Vandals lost to WSU 38-26 and 34-6 to Washington.

“It’s hard to say,” Tadvick said. “You really can’t compare what we did against Washington State. We obviously played a heck of a lot better (against WSU).”

Said safety Dan Dykes: “They both do good things, they both do bad things. Neither one of them are an amazing team. They’re both beatable.”

Rough ride

Idaho running back Antwaun Sherman had a tough week. He was in a car accident driving to practice Tuesday. His 1986 Honda Accord was totaled.

“I turned left and a girl came over the hill speeding and T-boned me,” said Sherman, who rushed for 13 yards on five carries Saturday. “It hit my passenger side and all the glass shot into my face and cut up the right side of my face. Luckily I wasn’t really badly injured. I got cut up, my shoulder is messed up, my knee, but I tried to bounce back the best I could.”

QB addition

Washington quarterback Johnny Durocher becomes eligible Sept. 20 after sitting out a calendar year following his transfer from Oregon.

“It does change us a little bit,” coach Tyrone Willingham said. “We will start to weave Johnny in there a little bit, but it will not change who the starter is. Isaiah (Stanback) has earned that job. He has continued to play well.”

Stanback was 9 of 16 for 145 yards and one touchdown against Idaho. He also ran for 35 yards and one touchdown.

Notes

UW was 0 for 9 on third downs. Idaho was 5 of 15. … Idaho linebacker Mike Anderson suited up but didn’t play due to a shoulder injury. Holt said Anderson wasn’t able to practice during the week. Therien, starting defensive tackle Siua Musika (knee) and tight end Eddie Williams (knee) didn’t make the trip. … Backup quarterbacks Michael Harrington of Idaho and Casey Paus of Washington each handled two series late in the fourth quarter.