Vandals pack a little extra, with playoffs still in sight
Idaho at Portland State • Today, 1 p.m. • TV: ESPN+ • Radio 1230 AM, 107.1 FM
By MARK NELKE
Sports editor
They had to make room for something extra on the vehicle bringing the Idaho Vandals' equipment to Hillsboro, Ore., for today's Big Sky Conference matchup with the Portland State Vikings.
Energy.
"You've got to bring your own juice," Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. said earlier this week, in his weekly meeting with area media.
Portland State (2-6, 2-3 Big Sky) has drawn a TOTAL of 5,786 fans to its three games at its home stadium some 14 miles from campus this year — an average of 1,928 per game at its 7,600-seat stadium.
Idaho (3-5, 3-2) drew more than 10,000 for last week's 31-28 victory over Southern Utah, and the Vandals' second straight victory after a 1-6 start has them still entertaining hopes of reaching the FCS playoffs.
If Idaho can win out — after this week, the Vandals finish at home vs. Eastern Washington, at UC Davis and at Idaho State — Idaho would be 7-5, 7-2 in conference play.
As for this week, Ford said this year's Vikings, under first-year head coach Chris Fisk (and former Coeur d'Alene Viking Alex Kastens as offensive line coach) are a "much improved group" over the PSU team the Vandals beat 45-6 at home last year.
Ford had particular praise for running back Delon Thompson (643 rushing yards, five touchdowns), tight end Tanner Beaman (28 catches, 347 yards, 2 TDs) and wide receiver Terence Lovelle (36 receptions, 553 yards, 2 TDs).
Portland State has used three quarterbacks this season. Last week, in a sputtering 38-8 loss at Idaho State, Tyrese Smith started, and was replaced by Gabe Downing, who threw for 173 yards in roughly half a game.
"Portland State can still be dangerous," Ford said. "They beat a team we were not able to beat, in Weber State. This will not be something where we're sneaking up on them. He kicked my butt a couple times when I was at Simon Fraser (and Fisk was head coach at Central Washington."
Ford said PSU's record is one thing, "but the tape tells a different story. They play with great effort. Their offense is a little better when it's a one-score game, rather than multiple (scores). If they're in a game, they're not going to go away."
Notes: Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood ranks No. 3 in the FCS in total offense, averaging 323.1 yards per game ... Owen Forsman, the Lakeland High product who kicked the game-winning 53-yard field goal against Southern Utah, earned the team's "Battle Axe" award for the game ... Ford said he hopes to get a handful of players back from injury for this game, including wide receiver Tony Harste and tight end Noah West-Baranco ... At Central Washington, Fisk replaced Ian Shoemaker, now the offensive coordinator at Idaho ... A watch party is scheduled for Pub 53 at the Coeur d'Alene Golf Club.