Blackman tosses pair of TD passes
MOSCOW - Kicker Trey Farquhar had a busy day Saturday as the University of Idaho football team had its first scrimmage of the spring - a lively 90-minute session at the Kibbie Dome during which coach Robb Akey saw good and not-so-good but plenty of promise.
"Both sides of the ball had some good things happen," Akey said. "I saw opportunity for both sides. At times I saw guys snatch that opportunity and sometimes that opportunity faded away."
For Farquhar, he was busy kicking field goals and made five of seven with his long a 49-yarder. He also had two shots at PATs after Dominique Blackman, who is battling Taylor Davis for the starting quarterback job, completed touchdown passes to Marquan Major, a redshirt freshman, and Najee Lovett, a junior college transfer who joined the team in January.
When it was all said and done, Blackman completed eight of 11 passes for 108 yards and the two TDs, with Davis connecting on six of 15 for 88 yards. Logan Bushnell, who offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jason Gesser said could work into the mix, was 2 of 4 for 22 yards.
Blake Bledsoe was the leading receiver with four catches for 37 yards with senior Mike Scott the receiving yardage leader with 62 on two grabs. On the ground, the committee of running backs covered 62 yards (offset somewhat by 43 yards in losses due to sacks) with Moscow native Justin Parkins the leader with 22 yards on seven carries.
On the not-so-good side for the offense, there were three lost fumbles (two via the center-quarterback exchange) and a handful of penalties with two negating touchdowns.
On the plus side, the defense was busy with Conrad Scheidt and Vince Keener the tackle leaders with five each, while Quinton Bradley was a true menace in the backfield with three of the unit's six sacks. Akey had expectations of the defense being a step ahead because of the number of experienced players returning.
"There are some opportunities for carry over," he said. "There are a lot of guys returning from last year. They are experienced and they are able to grow and move forward. That is a good positive.
"I do like what I am seeing from our football team right now."
The Vandals practice Tuesday and Thursday this week with their next scrimmage at 10 a.m. next Saturday.
SCORING
FG Trey Farquhar 49
FG Farquhar 33
Marquan Major 24 pass from Dominique Blackman (Farquhar kick)
FG Farquhar 27
Najee Lovett 20 pass from Blackman (Farquhar kick)
FG Farquhar 33
FG Farquhar 40
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
PASSING - Taylor Davis 6-15-88, Dominique Blackman 8-11-108, Logan Bushnell 2-4-22.
RUSHING - Ryan Bass 8-15, Justin Parkins 7-22, Donovan Cunnigham 5-17, James Baker 6-15, Taylor Davis 3-(-27), Dominique Blackman 3-(-7), Logan Bushnell 1-(-9).
RECEIVING - Ken McRoyal 2-18, Marquan Major 2-42, Dontae Scott 2-62, Blake Bledsoe 4-37, Clayton Homme 1-8, James Baker 1-3, Daniel Micheletti 1-14, Najee Lovett 1-20, Justin Parkins 1-4, Donovan Cunningham 1-11.