Weather, turf, Vandals and other stuff

Snow?

Again?

In October?

And it’s not even time for a Timberlake High home playoff football game.

That would be a sign that it’s November.

Save it for next year, when state soccer is back up here again.

Maybe more so on the artificial turf at The Fields at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, which will host the 3A boys and girls tournaments, and not so much at Lake City, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls high schools, sites of the state 5A tourneys.

Sandpoint, pay attention. This could be you in a few years.

THE IDAHO Vandals did not play on Saturday, which means:

- They didn’t suffer another disappointing loss on the road;

- They didn’t power to another “we told you so” triumph at home;

And/or …

- They didn’t suffer another injury to a key player.

This season, the Vandals have been without their starting quarterback, top running back and top receiver — sometimes more than one at the same time.

They’ve missed wide receiver Jeff Cotton the most when he’s been out — the other running backs have filled in nicely, and backup QB Colton Richardson from Lewiston High (with a lot of help from his defense) led the Vandals to a win over Idaho State last week.

Idaho (3-5, 1-3 Big Sky) has four games left, two at home, starting Nov. 2 at Cal Poly.

The Vandals are 3-1 at home, but 0-4 on the road. The Road Vandals need to start playing like the Home Vandals, beginning Nov. 9 at Montana.

SPEAKING OF injuries …

It was interesting to read that the Kansas City Chiefs ruled quarterback Patrick Mahomes out for tonight’s game vs. Green Bay.

Not to much the part about Mahomes being “out” — a dislocated kneecap will do that to you.

But the fact the Chiefs announced it at all shows you the difference between pro and college football.

Pro teams are obligated to release injury reports.

Colleges? Well …

Since they don’t have to, coaches are intentionally vague about injuries.

If a quarterback is ailing, well, you’ll just have to wait for Saturday to see if he suits up.

Until then, it’s all speculation for the internet chat rooms.

For all we know, the QB could be fine. Or he could be in a body cast. Or he could be in Europe receiving treatment, for all we know.

The team knows. Who knows how much the opponent knows.

Or maybe they, like us, just wait for Saturday.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.