No letting up for UI

MOSCOW, Idaho – At almost every position, the Idaho football team enters spring practice with a chance to be better than it was during a prosperous 2009 season.

Nathan Enderle returns for his fourth year as starting quarterback. A deep pool of savvy tailbacks and receivers is still around. The defense only lost one starter. And the key figures on special teams are back.

But there’s one glaring unknown: the offensive line. The Vandals must replace four bedrock starters whose eligibility dried up, including potential first-round NFL pick Mike Iupati.

So as Idaho embarks on the first of 15 spring sessions today at 3 p.m., finding reliable replacements – and a few backups – on the O-line will be a chief priority.

“We have a senior quarterback back there, but if we can’t protect him, it doesn’t matter,” coach Robb Akey said. “We’ve got a number of running backs that have proven they can run the football, but if we can’t block for them, it really doesn’t matter.

“I really feel (the offensive line) is an integral part of the success we’re going to have both as an offense and a football team.”

Left tackle Matt Cleveland is the lone returning starting offensive linemen for a club that capped an 8-5 season last fall with a Humanitarian Bowl triumph. Tyrone Novikoff and Tevita Halaholo were the main reserves a year ago, and they appear to have good chances to earn starting gigs.

Beyond that trio, there’s a group of unproven returners, junior college transfers and true freshmen who will get a look from coaches. The list includes Mike Marboe of Wenatchee, who graduated high school early and enrolled at UI in January to get a jump-start on his career.

It’s unlikely Marboe will be starting in the Vandals’ season opener on Sept. 2 against North Dakota, although Akey is intent on keeping the same competitive vibe in position battles that existed last year.

Despite a three-game losing streak late in the year, Idaho scratched out a winning season for the first time since 1999. The trick now is to use 2009 as a springboard.

“I don’t want to see us take a step back.” Akey said. “We need to build off of that (success). … This football team has a lot to prove in my opinion. And we’ve got a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be.”

Starting today with no-contact drills, the Vandals will try to shore up a few noticeable weaknesses from 2009. The team was 106th in the country in turnover margin (23 turnovers against 15 takeaways), while the secondary and pass rush were trouble spots.

Akey also said his staff will tailor spring drills to improving UI’s play on third down.

“I want to see this team repeat as a bowl team,” he said when asked if there was a new goal for 2010. “And not just a bowl team – a bowl winner.”

Notes

The first practice with pads will be Saturday. Spring practice will culminate with the Silver and Gold game April 23 at 6 p.m. … Akey said Halaholo could miss early spring practices with a hand injury. Defensive end Aaron Lavarias, who was injured in the H-Bowl, should be ready to go. … With Jeromy Jones’ departure, the Vandals have an available starting spot at strong safety. Gary Walker, Quin Ashley and Brandon Artz will be in the mix to replace Jones.