Vandals get first WAC test
MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho’s midseason grades were fine, much better than most expected. Now comes the ultimate progress report.
The Vandals have emerged as unlikely challengers in the WAC, but they’ve done so by knocking off three teams that might end up finishing seventh, eighth and ninth in the nine-team conference.
Today’s opponent, Boise State, could finish seventh, eighth or ninth, too – in the nation. The 18th-ranked Broncos (7-0, 3-0 WAC) have ruled the conference since joining in 2001. During that span, they’ve won 40 of 43 WAC games and claimed the last four conference titles.
Series, state and conference supremacy will be on the line when the 36th meeting of the two rivals takes place at 2 p.m. in front of a sellout crowd at the Kibbie Dome. The series is tied 17-17-1, but the Broncos have won the last seven and they’re favored by three touchdowns to make it eight straight.
“We’re to a point now where we’ll play this game and really find out where we’re at,” said head coach Dennis Erickson, who has led Idaho to four wins in his first season, the program’s most since a 5-6 season in 2000. “We’ve had three good (WAC) wins, but I’ve mentioned all along that these last five games are really what it’s all about.”
Today’s game, like most, is all about the line of scrimmage. The Vandals (4-3, 3-0) have improved on both sides of the line, but BSU represents the biggest challenge of the season. Wyoming, a 17-10 loser to BSU, is the only opponent to contain the Broncos running game this season.
“What really jumps out at me is their offensive line,” UI junior linebacker David Vobora said. “They work together, they’re physical and they know how to block. They’ve got a good running back (Ian Johnson) who is patient, sees the hole and runs hard.”
Erickson didn’t stop there.
“The fullback (Brad Lau) and the tight end (Derek Schouman) have a lot do with their success running it,” he said.
Broncos quarterback Jared Zabransky, mistake-prone at times last season, has thrown three interceptions, one of which should have been caught by a receiver. Stung by fumbles a year ago, Zabransky hasn’t lost a fumble this season.
“If you look at our numbers – everybody talks about the running game – we are fairly balanced,” BSU first-year coach Chris Petersen said. “The nice thing is if we have to throw it more we have the capability to do that.”
Idaho would prefer to run the ball, control the clock and keep its defense off the field for large chunks of time. BSU, though, ranks 10th nationally in run defense, tied for second in interceptions and 18th in scoring defense. The Broncos lead the WAC with 20 quarterback sacks.
“The biggest thing about Idaho is you can tell they’re a lot more confident,” Broncos senior linebacker Korey Hall said. “They know they can come out and play with teams. They have a smart quarterback and he’s able to make plays and help other people make plays.”
The Vandals would benefit greatly from a swift start, which would energize a crowd that figures to be as loud as the Dome has housed since Idaho was a perennial title contender in the Big Sky and Big West days.
“We have to create some energy early in the game,” Erickson said, “but the biggest thing is we have to be resilient and know we’re going to have to deal with things that are going to happen in a big game like this. We can’t have dumb penalties, we have to play with composure, we have to be sounder in special teams than we’ve been and we have to play four quarters.”
Notes
Coeur d’Alene native and former Vandals great John Friesz will have his No. 17 retired. Several ex-teammates, including Mark Schlereth and Jeff Robinson, are expected to be on hand. … Running back Brian Flowers (ankle) and defensive tackle Ryan Davis (shoulder) participated in practice, but remain game-time decisions. … Idaho is bidding for its first four-game winning streak since 1998. … Erickson was 4-0 against BSU in his first stint at Idaho, launching the Vandals’ 12-game winning streak from 1982-93.