Vandals close in on replacement

Nothing has been finalized, but University of Idaho athletics director Rob Spear said Wednesday that he’s close to securing a replacement opponent for a 2008 home game against Oregon State.

Bob De Carolis, OSU’s A.D., told the Associated Press on Tuesday the Beavers are juggling their 2008 schedule to include a “big-time opportunity on the road.” The opponent is reportedly going to be Penn State.

To do so, OSU would have to drop its Sept. 20 game at Idaho.

“This late in the season you’re never excited to schedule a game for next fall,” Spear said. “You’d like to have those done well in advance. We’re in negotiations with a school from the MAC (Mid-American Conference).”

Spear declined to identify the school. He said he’s not sure if the loss of the OSU game would affect the return game at OSU in 2011.

If OSU drops Idaho, a buyout would be involved, Spear said.

“It’s an old buyout. It’s not significant enough to do anything,” Spear said.

The game with OSU was arranged long before Spear became A.D. He said the arranged buyout is far less than what it would be today.

Spear said he’s still committed to a non-conference schedule that includes a money game (BCS opponent), a win (Football Championship Subdivision – formerly I-AA – opponent) and two games out of conferences similar to the WAC – the Mountain West, MAC or Conference USA.

“We’re currently reviewing some contractual language and we’ll hopefully have that secure in the next few days,” Spear said of the replacement game.