Idaho’s Nooy earns praise while cementing backup job

Brian Nooy’s return to the University of Idaho football program has shaken up the depth chart at quarterback.

Nooy, who left the team in January before deciding to return after Dennis Erickson was hired as head coach, is holding down the second-team job behind starter Steve Wichman. Nooy threw for 253 yards and one touchdown in six games in 2004.

“I like him,” Erickson said. “I’m surprised they haven’t played him more (before). I don’t know what happened. He’ll get better and better.”

Chris Joseph and Nathan Enderle are the leading contenders for the third spot.

“Nathan’s having a really good camp,” Erickson said. “I’m really happy with him.”

Nooy, a junior from Pendleton, Ore., attended Erickson’s camps at Oregon State.

Sick bay

Starting outside linebacker David Vobora has been bothered by a stress fracture in his leg.

“It’s something he has to stay off of for a while,” Erickson said. If all goes as planned, Vobora should be able to play, but probably will follow a reduced practice schedule.

Middle linebacker Jo Artis Ratti, who dislocated his shoulder in a scrimmage two weeks ago, doesn’t need surgery and has a chance of returning for the first game against Michigan State on Sept. 2, Erickson said.

Important scrimmages

Erickson said scrimmages carry added importance for the Vandals, with the season opener looming in 15 days.

“Saturday will probably be our biggest scrimmage because I don’t know how much we’ll do after that,” Erickson said. “We’ll probably go next Thursday, but that won’t be a long one. We probably have to scrimmage longer than most teams because we’re a long ways away and we have to identify things.

“Saturday is big to see where we’re at. We have to see what we want to do in that last week before game week and what we’re comfortable putting in against Michigan State.”

Notes

Erickson cautioned that nothing is cemented regarding several position battles, but some front-runners have emerged. Max Komar, Wes Williams and Raymond Fry are competing for a starting job at receiver. T.J. Conley is the first-team punter. Tino Amancio has the edge at kicker, but he’s being pushed by Matt Gregg. Vincente Rico has the strongest leg of the three kickers, but he’s been inconsistent. Rico could be in line for kickoff duty. … True freshman Shiloh Keo and Tone Taupule are holding down starting safety spots. Adam Juratovac (right guard) and Kris Anderson (right tackle) are running with the first team. Juratovac is being challenged by Marcis Fennell. Anderson is competing with Billy Bates.