Bowl: UI faces Colorado State today

In this SR file photo, Idaho Vandals head coach Paul Petrino and quaterback Matt Linehan (10) wait for a call to be decided during a college football game on Saturday, Oct 15, 2016, at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. Petrino was named Sun Belt coach of the year for leading the Vandals to an 8-4 season record and the Famous Potato Bowl today against Colorado State. (Tyler Tjomsland/SR file photo)

In his first two seasons as Idaho football coach, Paul Petrino tried not to let the losing get to him.

He had been a successful assistant in the SEC, Big Ten and ACC. He had grown accustomed to winning nine or 10 games every year against the best competition.

“It was just kind of that’s what you did and it was easy,” Petrino said.

Rebuilding the UI football program was nothing like that. It was an immense undertaking, a four-year overhaul that required a series of what Petrino calls private victories – stabilizing the team’s academic situation, teaching players how to approach each day – before the wins on the field came.

On the eve of coaching the Vandals in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, where they’ll face Colorado State at 4 p.m. at Boise State’s Albertsons Stadium, Petrino reflected on one especially dark day during the long journey/ Josh Wright , SR. More here.