UI’s last scrimmage produces positive feel

MOSCOW, Idaho - On the first play, University of Idaho sophomore running back Jayson Bird broke through the defensive line and veered into open field for an impressive 65-yard gain, illustrating the good and bad that accompany nearly every scrimmage.

When the offense makes a big play, defensive coaches can usually be found mumbling to themselves on the sideline. When the quarterback gets sacked, the offensive coordinator is wondering what happened to the protection.

And so it went Thursday for the Vandals in their final scrimmage before their Sept. 2 opener at Michigan State, but the positives seemed to outweigh the negatives - physically, anyway. Bird’s long run was made possible by good blocking up front, but also by defenders not being in their proper gaps.

“Physically, we did some really good things and we were a lot better, but we made some mental mistakes on both sides of the ball,” head coach Dennis Erickson said. “In the one series we had going there, we had two off-side penalties and it just knocks you out of field-goal range. We’re not a good enough team to make mental mistakes.”

Still, the improvement Idaho has made since its initial scrimmage two weeks ago is apparent. There were a couple of dropped passes, but receivers also came up with several tough catches. Senior Wendell Octave had two receptions, one coming after he batted a Steve Wichman pass in the air and gathered it in before hitting the ground.

Tight end Luke Smith-Anderson hauled in a 20-yard pass near the goal line despite blanket coverage by safety Shiloh Keo.

The defense came up with three sacks, six tackles-for-loss and a Taylor Rust interception. They also appeared to stop Rolly Lumbala short of the goal line and force a fumble, but officials ruled the ball had broken the plane.

“We’re a lot better than when we started fall camp,” Erickson said. “Now you’re to the point of, ‘Where are you?’ And you won’t know until you play.”

The starting lineup is close to being set. Right guard Adam Juratovac started with the first unit, though Marcis Fennell saw numerous reps. Siua Musika, rebounding from a torn ACL suffered late last season, joined Ryan Davis as starting defensive tackles. Josh Shaw started at end and is capable of playing end or tackle.

The receiver rotation is deeper with the emergence of Octave and DeAngelo Ramsey. They saw extensive time along with Lee Smith, Wes Williams, Max Komar, Raymond Fry, Matt Askew and junior college transfer Tariq Ikharo, a recent addition who was teammates with Marlon Haynes at Laney College. Haynes didn’t play, but he’s expected to return by Monday. Jomar Drake (hamstring) also was sidelined.

Erickson said the kicking job remains in competition. Matt Gregg made both of his field-goal attempts. Tino Amancio was 2 of 3.

Notes

Wichman was efficient in completing 10 of 17 for 108 yards. … Senior cornerback Jason Martin, who started 10 games last season, left the team last week. “I’m not sure what the reason was,” defensive coordinator Jeff Mills said. “He never came in to see me.” Martin was behind starters Stanley Franks and Reggie Jones on the depth chart. … Running back Tracy Ford (rib) didn’t play, but should be ready Monday. Safety Jevon Butler, who suffered a concussion a couple of weeks ago, has yet to return and safety Lee Jones (hamstring) didn’t participate in the scrimmage. … True freshmen Nathan Enderle and Cary Jensen-Madison hooked up on a 50-yard pass play.