Petrino pleased with Vandal's first practice

MOSCOW - It was evident throughout the ranks that one year made a tremendous difference for the Idaho Vandals, who started their second fall camp under head coach Paul Petrino. And it was most clear to Petrino, who had high praise for his team after Monday's opening session.

"It was a lot better," Petrino said. "There were a lot of positives."

There were two positions he was looking to for the most improvement. They produced.

"The offensive line looked really good; looked way better," he said. "And I thought the secondary looked way better. That is a big positive. Those were two places we had to improve."

He provided a spot of caution.

"The first day you don't want to get too high or too low but those two groups looked way better," he said. "Those are two position groups I wanted to see improve in their technique and fundamentals and they both did."

Petrino will be able to move forward with his reconstruction of the Vandals with improved competition at every position and with competitive speed.

"There is so much more competition across the board," he said. "It seems a lot better right now."

Veteran defensive end Maxx Forde noted the dynamic nature of the practice.

"I felt the intensity out here was really good," he said. "Guys are excited about the season. You can definitely see it out there. We just have to keep it rolling.

"It was a good day to get us started in the right direction for that first game."

That first game is Aug. 30 at Florida with the Vandals' Sun Belt opener the following weekend - Sept. 6 at Louisiana-Monroe.

Fall camp continues this week with daily 6 p.m. practices through Friday with the first scrimmage Saturday at 10 a.m.