Akey’s warm greeting

MOSCOW, Idaho – The calendar must know football season is around the corner because the temperature shot up measurably Tuesday afternoon for the University of Idaho’s opening practice.

The forecast is for even warmer weather through the week, and that put a smile on the face of second-year Vandals coach Robb Akey.

“It’s supposed to get hot later. We ain’t seen nothing yet,” Akey said. “It was sure nice to be out there rolling again. We’re off and running.”

Perhaps the best thing that happened was the fact there were fewer introductions that had to be made.

“Continuity helps us a tremendous amount,” Akey said. “This time of the year it just keeps getting better, because in two more days we can put shoulder pads on and four more days we can put full pads (on) and next Monday we can start having two-a-days. So it just keeps getting better.”

Although it was the most familiar feel for an Idaho team in three years, there’s a distinct matter to deal with – turning around a team that was 1-11 a year ago.

“There’s a tremendous sense of urgency with every player here, with every coach here, toward getting that thing fixed (win-loss record) and making it be what we want it to be so it can be something we can be proud of,” Akey said.

Vandals sport new gear

While most of the faces were the same – true freshmen and walk-ons notwithstanding – there was something new among the Vandals.

Idaho signed a contract this summer with Nike, and all the shoes, gloves, shirts and shorts the Vandals wore bore the Swoosh that has made the Portland-area sporting good company popular and easily recognizable.

The previous supplier of workout gear and shoes was Adidas.

Several players were complaining about sore feet that come with breaking in new shoes, though.

“(We were) breaking in some new gear with the Nike gear, so people were kind of a little slow out there,” returning sophomore safety Shiloh Keo, the Vandals’ defensive captain, said. “(We were) getting used to new cleats.”

Several Vandals walked off the practice field in their socks, including Keo.

“Since I’ve been here everybody’s been hoping we can go to Nike,” Keo said. “We were promised we’d get some nicer stuff in here. The shoes are lighter, more comfortable. They just need to get broken in. Right now my feet are a little sore. (There are) a lot of guys with sore feet. Once they get broken in, they’re going to be nice fitting. It looks a lot nicer, too.”

Returning starting quarterback Nathan Enderle also appreciated the new gear.

“It’s awesome,” Enderle, a sophomore, said. “You want Nike, really. They’ve been around forever. Adidas was good, but when coach gave us the news we were genuinely excited about it.”

Dickson takes charge

Sophomore JoJo Dickson is the heir to the position vacated by outside linebacker David Vobora, who was the last player selected in the spring NFL draft.

Dickson received playing time on special teams and some backup duty at linebacker last year.

“That’s big shoes to fill, but I’ll do my best,” Dickson said. “I’m not trying to be David or anything like that. I’m just trying to step in and (be a leader) for the younger guys. I’m not trying to replace anybody or anything like that.”

Some of the assembled media laughed when Dickson, just a sophomore himself, said he was hoping to be a leader for the younger guys.

“We’ve got nothing but young linebackers,” Dickson said. “I got a little bit of playing time so I feel like I’m allowed to call (them) young linebackers.”

Quick kicks

Idaho’s first scrimmage is Tuesday at the Kibbie Dome at 2:30 p.m. … Akey said that senior receiver Tariq Ikharo, who was reinstated during the spring after missing last year with academic problems, had yet to report because he’s trying to deal with other academic issues. Akey said he doesn’t know if Ikharo will report. … Also missing was linebacker Adam Shamion of Post Falls. Shamion, who would have been a sophomore, will take the fall off to spend more time in the classroom, Akey said. He will have an opportunity to rejoin the team, Akey said. … Idaho will practice today through Saturday at 9 a.m. with a 2:30 p.m. practice Sunday before beginning two-a-days Monday.