Defense dominates in Idaho spring football game

By RACHEL ROBERTS

The Idaho Statesman

EAGLE — The Idaho offense led 8-5 after the first quarter but was outmatched for much of Saturday’s Vandal football spring scrimmage Saturday, before 2,205 at Eagle High.

The Vandal defense prevailed, 61-26, in a modified scoring format used for game, moved to the Boise area due to renovations being made at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

The Vandals played three 20-minute quarters with a running clock and one 15-minute fourth quarter using a modified scoring system.

The offense could earn points for a touchdown (6), field goal (3), PAT (1), two-point conversion (2), 20-yard gain (1) or first down (1).

The defense picked up points for a defensive touchdown (12), PAT after a defensive TD (1), turnover (6), safety (5), three-and-out (3), stopped drive in open field (1), stopped drive on fourth down (3), stopped drive in red zone (4), sack/tackle for loss (2) or a stopped two-point conversion (1).

The defense racked up 35 points in the second quarter, including four sacks and a turnover when linebacker Isiah King intercepted sophomore quarterback Gevani McCoy.

The offense managed a 50-yard field goal from Ricardo Chavez on its opening drive, but it did not find the end zone until late in the fourth quarter. Redshirt senior Roshaun Johnson scored the game’s only TD on an 8-yard run.

“I thought the offense came out pretty well in the first quarter. We moved the ball well and did a lot of good things,” first-year Idaho coach Jason Eck said. “... Then the defense really just turned it on. The D-line played great. ... I was proud because the game kind of got away from the offense, but they kept firing. I thought it was a heck of a touchdown drive.”

Four quarterbacks saw playing time, with McCoy working with the first-team offense followed by appearances from sophomore CJ Jordan, freshman Tyler Webb and sophomore Macloud Crowton. “The first two guys — CJ and Gevani — have kind of separated from the other two,” Eck said. “Those guys are probably the two main guys competing. It’s been back and forth between those guys. We gave Gevani the first group today. He’s probably a tad ahead, but it’s very close between those guys.”

FOUR AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS

At the conclusion of Saturday’s scrimmage, Eck announced that four walk-ons were awarded scholarships.

“That was my favorite moment since I’ve been here as the head coach,” Eck said.

Offensive lineman Beau St. John, tight end Alex Moore, defensive lineman Sam Brown and free safety Mathias Bertram were the scholarship recipients.

NOTES

McCoy finished 8 of 19 for 134 yards and an interception. Jordan was 5 of 13 for 47 yards. Johnson led the ground attack with eight carries for 41 yards and a score. Terez Traynor had four receptions for 62 yards. Trent Elstad, formerly of Coeur d'Alene High, had five carries for 21 yards ... At the half, Eck announced that linebacker Fa'Avae Fa'Avae and offensive lineman Logan Floyd, both seniors, were voted team captains by the other players ... The Vandals will start preseason camp in early August with the first game set for Sept. 3 at Washington State in Pullman.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Nick Romano 2-2, Roshaun Johnson 8-41, Andre Carter 4-17, Elisha Cummings 4-9, Trent Elstad 5-21.

PASSING — Gevani McCoy 8-19-1-134, CJ Jordan 5-13-0-47, Macleod Crowton 3-7-0-16.

RECEIVING — Jermaine Jackson 2-23, Jalen Grable 1-14, Zach Borisch 3-13, Terez Traynor 4-62, Elisha Cummings 1-3, Aundre Carter 1-11, Jake Cox 2-1, Luke Borchardt 1-7, Alex Moore 3-52.

Information from local reports and Idaho sports information was also used in this story.