COLLEGE FOOTBALL: TDs, picks, and a Vandal walk-on gets a scholarship
MOSCOW — Wide receiver Hayden Hatten, who normally catches touchdown passes, threw one during the Vandals’ scrimmage at the Kibbie Dome on Saturday.
Tight end Jake Cox caught a TD pass for Idaho.
“(Quarterbacks) Jack Layne and Gevani (McCoy) played pretty well,” second-year Idaho coach Jason Eck said. “We were probably more physical on offense than we were when we scrimmaged a couple of days ago. We have to clean up a few penalties; we had too many penalties.”
Marcus Harris, Kyrin Beachem and Hayden John each had interceptions for the Vandals.
“I thought there were good things on both sides” Eck said. “I thought the offense moved the ball well, but it was good to see the defense, after they had given up some first downs, come back and get some turnovers.”
After the scrimmage, Charlie Vliem, a walk-on sophomore offensive lineman from Duvall, Wash., was awarded a scholarship.
“Proud of Charlie,” Eck said. “Walked on a year ago, and has continued to get better. Had a great offseason in the weight room, had a great summer, and now he’s taking most of the reps with the 1s at right tackle, competing with Jack Foster for that spot. Really proud of him, and he earned it; he definitely earned it.
“Great message to young men from around the Northwest — if you’re good enough, we’re going to play you, you’re going to get a scholarship. And I believe that’s now seven guys that we’ve put on scholarship as walk-ons since I’ve been the head coach. So, proud of those guys.”
WASHINGTON STATE
PULLMAN — The Cougar offense recorded six touchdowns with the defense forced three turnovers on the day as Washington State held its first fall football scrimmage Saturday.
After a slow start where the Cougar defense flexed on the first two possessions, quarterback John Mateer led the offense on an 11-play scoring drive, capped by a 4-yard pass to receiver Josh Meredith. It marked the first of three passing touchdowns on the day for that side of the ball.
Starting quarterback Cameron Ward got in on the action two series later as he connected with receiver Lincoln Victor on a 15-yard strike in the end zone, while quarterback Emmett Brown also found the end zone, hitting running back Leo Pulalasi for a 25-yard scoring pass. The final play of the scrimmage resulted in a 13-yard scoring strike from freshman quarterback Jaxon Potter to freshman tight end Mahki Whitney.
WSU rushed for more than 100 yards and three TDs. Redshirt freshman running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker capped drives with 7- and 3-yard scoring plays, while Pulalasi added a 29-yard scoring burst.
In addition to the defense forcing two fumbles, defensive back Kapena Gushiken registered the lone interception of the scrimmage, collecting a tipped pass from Ward. The Cougars also broke up five other passes during the nearly two-hour scrimmage.
The defensive line registered five total sacks, all from the Edge position. Raam Stevenson and Michael Hughes each had two with Lawrence Falatea had the other.
Dean Janikowski connected on all three of his field goal attempts (32, 37 and 48 yards), and Colton Theaker hit from 44 and 57 yards.