UI gears for Wofford's wishbone

It may not have been noticed much in spring ball and fall camp, but the Idaho Vandals spent some time practicing defending the wishbone offense.

That was to get a head start in preparation for today's visit from FCS Wofford (1-1), from Spartanburg, S.C., which plays at Idaho (0-2) at the Kibbie Dome.

"It's such a different offense; if you just try to prepare in three days (this week), you're not going to have enough time to prepare," Idaho coach Paul Petrino said.

Wofford has used as many as three quarterbacks this season. Now the Terriers are down to two, who happen to be their second and third leading rushers -- sophomore Brad Butler (99 yards, 7.6 yards per carry) and junior Evan Jacks (90 yards, 5.3 per carry).

For the season, Wofford is averaging 284.5 rushing yards and 103 passing yards per game. The Terriers lost 49-10 to Clemson and beat Tennessee Tech 34-14.

"It's assignment football," Petrino said of defending the wishbone. "When you play the wishbone, you have to get your assignments down.

And you have got to do a good job of tackling one on one."

Back in the day, before college offenses morphed into pro-style attacks and then to the current trend of spread offenses, most college teams ran the wishbone.

"It's really what I grew up doing myself; my dad was an option football coach," said Petrino, who played for his dad at Carroll College in Helena, Mont.

Asked who's defensive responsibilities changed the most, compared to defending "normal" offenses, Petrino replied, "everybody. Who has the dive, who has the quarterback, who has the pitch ... "