Vandals try to win one for the seniors
Southern Utah at Idaho, today, 1 p.m., TV: ESPN+. Radio: 02.5 FM
From news services and staff reports
Idaho will salute 13 seniors today when the Vandals (2-6, 1-4 Big Sky) play host to Southern Utah (1-8, 0-6) on senior day at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.
The list of seniors includes defensive back Jalen Hoover, tight end/fullback Trase LeTexier, linebacker Tre Walker, defensive lineman Cameron Townsend, defensive lineman Kayode Rufai, defensive lineman Rahsaan Crawford, linebacker Christian Blackburn, linebacker Charles Akanno, quarterback Mike Beaudry, defensive lineman Jonah Kim, wide receiver Mekhi Stevenson, punter Caleb Lightbourn and quarterback Nikhil Nayer.
All but Nayer, who medically retired earlier this season, are expected to play today, Idaho coach Paul Petrino said.
"I told the whole team on Sunday night, this is a one-game season for our seniors," Petrino said. "We need to do everything we can so those seniors walk out of that Dome with a win in their last home game.
"They're a bunch of great kids. Every one of them but one has already graduated; one will graduate in May. The majority will leave with two degrees and probably 50 percent will leave here with a master’s. They're a bunch of kids who have done things right, and are going to go on and be very successful."
Noting that Hoover, Crawford and Dedmon in particular will leave Moscow with master's degrees, "I think the extra time has been great for them academically," Petrino said.
Southern Utah, in its final season in the Big Sky before joining the Western Athletic Conference, has played nearly everybody close this season, with the exception of losses to Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington.
The Thunderbirds lost just 20-19 last week at Montana — a team that thumped Idaho the week before — and the Griz had to block a field goal late to escape with the win.
"They’ve played some good defense in quite a few of their games," Petrino said of Southern Utah. "With the exception of NAU and Eastern, they’ve done a good job defensively."
Justin Miller has passed for 2,060 yards for the Thunderbirds, with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Slot receiver Ethan Bolingbroke has 51 receptions for 491 yards and two touchdowns. Wideout Brandon Schenks 33 catches for 424 yards and five TDs.
In addition to Beaudry, Idaho figures to have Zach Borisch and Gevani McCoy available at QB for today's game.
Petrino said running back/kick returner Nick Romano will be out at least two weeks after suffering an arm injury on a kickoff return last week vs. NAU. Petrino is hopeful the standout from Rocky Mountain High in Meridian will be back for the season finale at Idaho State on Nov. 20.