Defense shines at UI scrimmage

From news services

MOSCOW — Score this one for the defense.

“There were a lot of bright spots for our defense today,” coach Robb Akey said after the University of Idaho’s second football scrimmage of the spring. “I like the way the defense came to the party today. It was a good thing.”

The offense did ultimately score seven touchdowns and three field goals but it wasn’t until the waning of Saturday’s session at the Kibbie Dome that the No. 1 offense was able to make it to the end zone against the No. 1 defense.

“I credit it more with what the defense was doing than a lack of what the offense was doing,” Akey said. “They took the momentum with them and that’s what you want.”

Momentum indeed. There were seven incomplete passes between the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses before third-string quarterback Logan Bushnell found his rhythm. Backup Brian Reader worked out the kinks as well but it took until the latter stages of the scrimmage before Nathan Enderle, behind a developing line, was able to sync with his receivers.

Akey credited the experience of the defensive unit, which lost only one starter to graduation, with its ability to control Saturday’s scrimmage – the second of three before the April 23 Silver and Gold game.

All told, there were 10 tackles for loss – of which six were sacks. Five pass breakups were recorded along with a Gary Walker interception and three quarterback hurries. Conrad Scheidt was the tackle leader with six, while Korey Toomer and Brandon Artz had five each.

Walkon tight end Daniel Micheletti had the big receiving numbers with five for 102, while on the ground it was another walkon – Bryce Davis, who led the way with 12 carries for 59 yards.

There were some uncharacteristic bobbles on special teams with one snap going awry and Trey Farquhar missing his first two field goals before settling in for three straight.

The Vandals next scrimmage is Saturday at 8:30 a.m., with the spring finale the April 23 Silver and Gold game.

Scoring

B. Davis 5 run (Farquhar kick)

Farquhar 28 field goal

Farquhar 33 field goal

Farquhar 21 field goal

Elmo 20 pass from Reader (Farquhar kick)

Johnson 15 pass from Reader (Farquhar kick)

Micheletti 46 pass from Bushnell (Farquhar kick)

B. Davis 3 run (Farquhar kick)

Greenwood 14 pass from Enderle (Farquhar kick)

Micheletti 14 pass from Bushnell (Farquhar kick)

PASSING — Enderle 8-20-1-78, Reader 9-14-2-137, Bushnell 6-7-2-106, T. Davis 1-3-0-33.

RUSHING — Vital 1-4, White 7-17, Weaver 1-31, B. Davis 12-59, Jackson 6-18, Reader 3-(minus 18), Enderle 3-(minus 10), McCarty 4-4, Ingraham 1-2.

RECEIVING — Homme 3-37, Micheletti 5-102, Elmo 3-50, Wieting 1-9, Hardy 1-14, Weaver 2-6, Greenwood 2-34, Posey 1-6, Johnson 2-23, Hatchett 1-13, Mealey 1-17, Ingraham 1-33, McCarty 1-8, B. Davis 1-1.