Vandals' O-line earns kudos

By MARK NELKE

Sports editor

Idaho's offensive line has taken its share of criticism for the Vandals' losses in their first four games.

They allowed 26 sacks in those first four games, and Idaho was averaging just 353 yards of total offense - 138 on the ground.

But, following some lineup changes, caused in part by two starters on the line out with injuries, Idaho allowed just two sacks and totaled 478 yards in last week's 26-24 win over Temple - 168 on the ground.

Mainstay Mike Marboe, a junior, remained at center, sophomore Cody Elenz at tackle. The Vandals moved junior Nick Von Rotz to tackle and started two new guards - freshman Steven Matlock and junior Spencer Beale.

"They executed better," Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. "They brought passion and they brought energy, and they brought second and third effort, and it kinda rubbed off on everybody else. It was the best they've played by far."

Matlock had planned to greyshirt - delay his enrollment until winter - but the Vandals invited him to fall camp. Beale was a standout at Lewiston High until suffering a knee injury his senior year.

"Mike Marboe and Cody have been in there fighting," Petrino said. "Nick moved out to a different position. I thought the five of them jelled together. For the first time all of them playing at those positions, I was very pleased."

Now, of course, that kind of performance against a winless team like Temple (0-4) is one thing. The task gets more challenging this Saturday, when Fresno State (4-0), ranked No. 23 by The Associated Press and No. 21 by USA Today, comes to Moscow to play the Vandals (1-4).

Honorable mention: Idaho quarterback Chad Chalich, who completed 26 of 43 passes for 310 yards and ran for 114 yards on 14 carries against Temple, was honored as the Independent Offensive Player of the Week by FBS Independents and College Football Madness. Chalich was also chosen the Independent Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.

"Chad, the biggest thing we talked to him about all week was, believing in his eyes, reading the defense and taking what the defense gives you, and he made big strides in that," Petrino said.

Through five games, Chalich has completed 98 of 150 passes for 1,111 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions. He is Idaho's leading rusher with 202 yards.

Freshman Austin Rehkow, who kicked four field goals vs. Temple, was recognized as the Special Teams Player of the Week by FBS Independents and College Football Performance Awards.