Both sides of the ball shine at Idaho football scrimmage
MOSCOW - Spring football scrimmages can pretty much be counted on to be one-sided. Not so Saturday for Idaho's Vandals, who went through their first scrimmage of the spring practice session.
This 90-minute session featured good play by both sides - and the best news - it all was better than a year ago when the Vandals were embarking on what would be their best season since 1999.
"It was a good scrimmage," Idaho coach Robb Akey said. "We had good things happen out there. Offensively, we moved the ball better and moved the ball better than we have been during practices."
The offensive drawback was thwarted drives, which forced field goal attempts instead of resulting in touchdowns. Sophomore kicker Trey Farquhar first was wide left on a 41-yarder, then wide right on a 40-yard attempt before nailing successive kicks of 19, 29, 29 and 52.
"I'd like to see some of those finish as touchdowns," Akey said. "Now, that's a positive for the defense."
Akey was able to list a number of players who caught his eye Saturday. Senior quarterback Nate Enderle, who was 15 of 24 for 163 yards and one interception, was one. At one point, he was 12 of 16. Junior Brian Reader also had a noteworthy day with a 9-of-15 effort for 110 yards, one interception and two touchdowns.
In his debut, transfer Armauni Johnson proved he fits in with Idaho's receiving corps with two athletic grabs for 39 yards - one a 20-yard TD from Reader. Tight end Daniel Hardy led that unit with six catches for 58 yards with sophomore Robert Hatchett collecting five for 52 yards. Senior Eric Greenwood hauled in three for 48 yards.
The run game didn't put up the same yardage, but with the other chores for the backs taken into consideration, the unit drew praise from Akey. Transfer Bryce Davis was the yards leader with nine carries for 35 yards. He also caught a 20-yard scoring pass from Reader in addition to a 1-yard rushing TD.
Spring focuses for the defense have been takeaways and quarterback pressure. Both earned high marks with Quin Ashley and Tracy Carter coming up with interceptions and Shiloh Keo recovering a fumble, which was forced by Gary Walker. Aaron Lavarias, Korey Toomer, Vince Keener and Justin Green recorded sacks with Benson Mayowa, Brad Marboe, Larry Dugan and Shawn Tucker adding to the quarterback pressure with hurries.
This week's spring schedule includes Tuesday and Thursday practices at 3:30 p.m. and a 10 a.m. scrimmage next Saturday. The annual Silver and Gold Game is April 23.
SCORING
Farquhar 19 FG
Hardy 20 pass from Reader (Farquhar kick)
Farquhar 29 FG
Farquhar 29 FG
Johnson 20 pass from Reader (Farquhar kick)
Farquhar 52 FG
B. Davis 1 run (Farquhar kick)
PASSING - Enderle 15-24-1-163, Reader 9-15-1-110, T. Davis 4-6-0-25, Bushnell 5-9-0-45.
RUSHING - Jackson 7-12, B. Davis 9-35, McCarty 2-3, White 1-4, Enderle 2-(minus-4), Reader 2-(minus-2), Bushnell 3-(minus-21).
RECEIVING - Shaw 1-11, Greenwood 3-48, McCarty 1-13, Hardy 6-58, Posey 4-21, Johnson 2-39, Micheletti 1-25, Weaver 3-13, Elmo 1-15, White 1-(minus-1), Hatchett 5-52, B. Davis 2-23, Mealey 2-9, Jackson 1-17.