Vandals brace for balanced foe

Finding a weakness in Appalachian State (3-2, 2-0 Sun Belt), which visits Idaho (2-3, 1-1) today, isn’t easy.

Talented defensive backs.

Solid pass rush.

Strong running game.

Veteran quarterback.

In any event, Idaho coach Paul Petrino said he isn’t worried about any carryover from last week’s 21-16 loss at home to Louisiana-Lafayette.

“We’re always going to be fighters. We’ll always come back,” he said.

Appalachian State has nine interceptions this season, four by Clifton Duck, and three by Tae Hayes.

“Sometimes those kids are making really good plays,” Petrino said. “They’re doing a great job of reading the quarterback, and breaking on the ball. I would say quite of few of those interceptions they’ve made exceptional breaks on the ball, and have made a couple really good catches that would have been good catches if you were a wideout.”

The Mountaineers also have 13 sacks on the season. Petrino said they are proficient at getting pressure on the quarterback with just a four-man rush, allowing the defensive backs to sit back in a zone defense, then read and react.

Jalin Moore leads a strong ground game, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

Petrino said App State likes to run outside zone runs, stretch the defense, then cut it back.

“The first key to them is to stop the run,” Petrino said.

Taylor Lamb, a four-year starter at quarterback, is Appalachian State’s third-leading rusher, and has thrown for eight touchdowns with just two interceptions.

“He’s just a winner,” Petrino said of Lamb. “He’s a coach’s kid also. He knows how to manage the game, but he knows how to make the play when it has to be made. He does a great job of doing what his team needs, and he finds a way to win.”

Petrino said the Vandals spent a little extra time game-planning for Appalachian State during spring ball, as well as fall camp.

Petrino said punter/kicker Cade Coffey, the redshirt freshman from Lakeland High, has “been playing great,” but coverage on his kicks needs to improve.