Vandals throw true freshman into mix
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
With starting quarterback Nathan Enderle out with a hand injury and inexperienced senior Brian Nooy scheduled to take over, Idaho coach Robb Akey took the unusual step of closing practice last week.
The result was true freshman Quin Ashley, a high school quarterback who had practiced exclusively at safety when he wasn’t hobbled by a sprained ankle, ran the spread option for six plays in the Vandals’ 28-20 loss at San Jose State.
“We’re going to keep going with that package,” Akey said. “It’s something that can and will give us a nice spark. He did some good things. … That’s something we will develop more so as we go.”
With Enderle expected to miss two more weeks, Western Athletic Conference opponents have more to consider.
“We’re working on it right now,” Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. “It’s a shame when you lose a player. Like any football team, when you have injuries you adapt to the personnel you have. They’re going to do everything to put their best personnel on the field. They’re good coaches, they’re going to rally around their new players. It’s something we really need to prepare for all week.”
That doesn’t mean Akey has no faith in Nooy, who was 8 of 15 for 68 yards, the fewest passing yards for an Idaho team since a 41-yard outing in a win against North Texas in 1999.
“I’m not afraid (to throw the ball), never will be,” Akey said. “We felt like running ball is what we’ve done well. With our people at hand, that was what’s going to suit us best. We did that well.
“Some of the throws we did early didn’t get delivered. … He’s going to perform better this week. We’ll keep throws in there that are his better throws. I’ve got great confidence he’ll do better job this weekend.”
Quarterback shuffle
Idaho isn’t the only team with quarterback issues.
Nevada had 702 yards of offense in a 49-41 loss to Fresno despite losing starting QB Nick Graziano with a season-ending ankle injury in the second quarter. Backup QB Colin Kaepernick threw for 384 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 60 yards and a TD on 12 carries as the Wolf Pack made a game of it in the fourth quarter.
Graziano had surgery Monday to repair tendons on the top of his right foot.
Hawaii lost Colt Brennan again but after a slow start rolled over Utah State 52-37. Tyler Graunke filled in and was 9 of 11 for 246 yards. In a 15-play span he passed for three TDs and ran for another. Brennan is set to go Friday night at San Jose State.
New Mexico State’s Chase Holbrook tried to go despite bruised ribs against Boise State Sunday night but didn’t last long. The Aggies turned to true freshman J.J. McDermott and he was largely ineffective in a 58-0 loss.
There are no other scholarship QBs on the NMSU roster.
“We’ll have a backup ready, but it’s really just Chase and J.J., that’s it,” Aggie coach Hal Mumme said. “If J.J. goes down we’ll probably just stick (wide receiver) Chris Williams back there and just snap him the ball. We’re really not trying to think about it.”
Bulldog bounced
Fresno State senior defensive tackle Jason Shirley has been suspended indefinitely after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and hit-and-run following a car accident Monday night. The car he was driving crashed into an apartment.
Shirley, the Bulldogs’ biggest player at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds, also missed the first two games of the season because of conduct detrimental to the team following an incident that occurred last spring.
Quick kicks
Idaho linebacker David Vobora is back among the national leaders after his 18 tackles last week pushed his season total to 83. His average of 10.83 per game is third in the conference and 14th in the nation. … Nevada has never been shutout at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, dating back 322 games to 1980. … Boise State running back Ian Johnson continued his prime-time highlights. In five ESPN games, the running back has averaged 187 yards and more than three touchdowns. He only had 17 carries for 85 yards in a rout of New Mexico State, but he also had four catches for 73 yards. BSU is on ESPN Sunday against Nevada. … BSU has won 40 consecutive regular-season home games. … Fresno is 2-0 in the WAC for the fourth time in six seasons. … FSU defensive end Tyler Clutts is the active career conference leader in sacks with 18. … Malcom Lane’s 87-yard kickoff return for a TD was Hawaii’s eighth defensive or special teams score this year. … NMSU receiver Brandon Allen has caught a pass in 37 straight games, the longest active streak in the nation. … A field goal on its first possession against Hawaii was the first Utah State score on its opening drive in 13 games, dating back to Idaho last year.