Vandals get defensive at scrimmage
MOSCOW — A night at the movies takes on an entirely different meaning for a football coaching staff. For the University of Idaho’s defensive coaches, the film after Saturday’s scrimmage will be a lot more enjoyable than the one after the Vandals’ earlier session.
“The defense responded to the previous scrimmage pretty well,” said coach Robb Akey as he compared Saturday’s effort to the one that gave up nine touchdowns earlier this week. “They were more disciplined; a little more assignment-correct. They came out with a better mindset in regards to, ‘Hey, we better show up and play.’
“There was a sense of urgency.”
The defense had the upper hand in the early going of the scrimmage with an inspired effort that led to four three-and-outs before the offense started to ignite. Camryn Harris provided the spark when he eluded a couple defenders with some razzle-dazzle along the sideline en route to turning a short pass from Dominique Blackman into a 39-yard touchdown.
Blackman was the beneficiary of another catch-and-run TD when Todd Handley converted a short pass into a 72-yard score. In keeping with the theme, Mike Scott and Taylor Davis hooked up in similar fashion with Scott outrunning the defenders across the field for a 67-yard TD. James Baker added a 2-yard for a score and true freshman Jace Johnson booted a 50-yard field goal.
Once again, the quarterbacks — all five of them — found a host of receivers with 10 players catching at least one pass. Scott (92 yards) and Roman Runner (39 yards) had four catches each, while Handley netted 82 yards on his two catches. Harris caught three for 62.
Former Coeur d’Alene High standout Chad Chalich completed both of his passes for 16 yards.
Defensively, Conrad Scheidt and Tracy Carter had five tackles each (both also had a sack), with sophomore Maxx Forde a frequent visitor in the offensive backfield with three sacks. Carter joined Quinton Bradley in having one interception.
“I like the progress we’re making as a team,” Akey said. “I like the way these guys have gone about things.”
The Vandals scrimmage again Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
SCORING PLAYS
Camryn Harris 39 pass from Justin Blackman (Trey Farquhar kick)
James Baker 2 run (Farquhar kick)
FG Jace Johnson 50
Todd Handley 72 pass from Blackman (Farquhar kick)
Mike Scott 67 pass from Davis (conversion failed)
PASSING — Blackman 9-14-0-167, Davis 3-6-1-80, Bushnell 6-17-0-49, Chalich 2-2-0-16.
RUSHING — Blackman 2-(-16), Parkins 5-2, Cunnigham 3-(-1), Chalich 1-(-3), Baker 6-12, Bushnell 5-(-16), Handley 3-12, DeCoud 2-(11), A. Williams 1-7, Davis 1-(-6).
RECEIVING — Runner 4-39, Level 1-7, Podrabsky 1-8, Harris 3-62, Posey 2-12, Homme 1-4, Handley 2-82, Lovett 1-8, Scott 4-92, Parkins 1-(-2).