The time of year when college football and basketball overlap is always an emotional rollercoaster for me.
The past week has been a great example, as I was brought high with an unexpected blowout football victory for Idaho over WAC rival Utah State, only to be rocketed back to earth by the Vandal basketball squad's awful 75-33 loss to Montana.
It would have been nice to be able to enjoy Idaho's impressive defensive effort for more than two days. Holding Utah State to 242 total yard in a road game is something to be celebrated. And receiver Eric Greenwood's two touchdowns and 114 yards led a solid offensive effort — something fans were pining for after so many struggles as of late.
However, instead of basking in the football team's success, I'm sitting here stewing over an embarrassing loss to a Big Sky opponent.
Granted, Montana is almost always a very solid team. The Grizzlies can give any WAC team a challenging game. But 33 points is unacceptable, unless you're playing a top 10 team — and then it's depressing.
Idaho is groping for consistent scoring out of someone — anyone. The team is in serious need of someone to rely on when the going gets tough.
Chances are the three highly regarded players who didn't even make it to the season opener before exiting the program would not have made the difference — a 42-point gaping chasm — versus Montana. But former North Idaho College players Renado Parker and Idell Bell would have been major contributors off the suddenly talent-deficient bench, as would have point guard Gary Winston. After signing months ago, none of these three are part of Idaho basketball now.
That's a big blow, but mostly for the future. That said, it's hard to imagine the future could be worse than the present.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The only rivalry game story I care about
Here's an excerpt from the only game story I care to read in the aftermath of last weekend's rivalry game between Idaho and That Team From Boise:
Greenwood grabs seven points out of Kibbie Dome air
By Jake Alger
Vandals United
MOSCOW — Eric Greenwood didn't just catch a 17-yard touchdown pass from Nathan Enderle on Saturday. His grab with 10:38 remaining in the third quarter ensured the Idaho Vandals football team would not suffer a shutout loss in perhaps its last contest against in-state rival That Team From Boise.
The 6-foot-6-inch junior receiver had six catches for 50 yards, but those 17 yards proved most important — perhaps of any in the entire game.
Game notebook — odds and ends
The Vandals will take on Utah State (4-6 overall record) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Logan, Utah.
Greenwood grabs seven points out of Kibbie Dome air
By Jake Alger
Vandals United
MOSCOW — Eric Greenwood didn't just catch a 17-yard touchdown pass from Nathan Enderle on Saturday. His grab with 10:38 remaining in the third quarter ensured the Idaho Vandals football team would not suffer a shutout loss in perhaps its last contest against in-state rival That Team From Boise.
The 6-foot-6-inch junior receiver had six catches for 50 yards, but those 17 yards proved most important — perhaps of any in the entire game.
Game notebook — odds and ends
- There was a final score.
- The visiting team played football.
- Players, coaches and fans said things after the game.
The Vandals will take on Utah State (4-6 overall record) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Logan, Utah.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
No mistakes allowed
It would have been tough enough giving That Team From Boise a tough time if Idaho had its full complement of players. But with several key players out or ailing, one has to wonder whether the Vandals are capable of keeping this Friday's rivalry game close.
Last year, Idaho could have done it — keep it close, that is. If starting quarterback Nathan Enderle hadn't been out with an injury, only to be replaced by turnover-happy backup Brian Reader, the Vandals could have made things interesting. With that dominating offensive line and a Pac-10 talent at running back, there was a decent chance for success in Boise. Heck, even with Reader at the helm, Idaho moved the ball well throughout the contest.
This year, let's face it: A close score in this game is improbable. Idaho is trying to replace starters/contributors at various positions right now, and while the Vandals have some very solid players, they don't have very solid players two-deep.
What happens if both Deonte' Jackson and Prince McCarty can't suit up at running back? Is Troy Vital a viable answer? No. Who can replace Daniel Hardy, arguably Enderle's most reliable target? JoJo Dickson is out for the rest of the season, and that's a big problem. He was the best playmaker in that linebacking corps.
I'm not going to get all "pie in the sky" and say Idaho would beat TTFB with its full sheath of weapons. But it certainly doesn't help the situation.
What the Vandals need is the best game possible from every single player. Greenwood, Veltung, Bailey and the other pass-catchers can't afford any drops. Not one.
Enderle can't miss. Ever.
The secondary can't "blow coverage" at all. It's not an option. And "arm tackle" should be considered a dirty word in preparation this week.
The running backs have to hit every hole with vigor. No hesitation. Plus, the offensive line has to combine every tough lesson it has learned this year into one crash course on protecting a quarterback.
I guess it could happen. I'm trying to believe. Can any of you Idaho fans convince me?
Last year, Idaho could have done it — keep it close, that is. If starting quarterback Nathan Enderle hadn't been out with an injury, only to be replaced by turnover-happy backup Brian Reader, the Vandals could have made things interesting. With that dominating offensive line and a Pac-10 talent at running back, there was a decent chance for success in Boise. Heck, even with Reader at the helm, Idaho moved the ball well throughout the contest.
This year, let's face it: A close score in this game is improbable. Idaho is trying to replace starters/contributors at various positions right now, and while the Vandals have some very solid players, they don't have very solid players two-deep.
What happens if both Deonte' Jackson and Prince McCarty can't suit up at running back? Is Troy Vital a viable answer? No. Who can replace Daniel Hardy, arguably Enderle's most reliable target? JoJo Dickson is out for the rest of the season, and that's a big problem. He was the best playmaker in that linebacking corps.
I'm not going to get all "pie in the sky" and say Idaho would beat TTFB with its full sheath of weapons. But it certainly doesn't help the situation.
What the Vandals need is the best game possible from every single player. Greenwood, Veltung, Bailey and the other pass-catchers can't afford any drops. Not one.
Enderle can't miss. Ever.
The secondary can't "blow coverage" at all. It's not an option. And "arm tackle" should be considered a dirty word in preparation this week.
The running backs have to hit every hole with vigor. No hesitation. Plus, the offensive line has to combine every tough lesson it has learned this year into one crash course on protecting a quarterback.
I guess it could happen. I'm trying to believe. Can any of you Idaho fans convince me?
Just a refresher: There are idiotic fans everywhere
Remember when Bob Kustra, president of the university for which That Team From Boise plays, denigrated an entire town earlier this year?
I thought you might. Below is the meat of those comments, followed by just a couple examples of the hundreds of nasty quotes online from his own team's fans. I point these out only to underscore that there are stupid, idiotic fans everywhere. Moscow doesn't have the market cornered.
Remember to keep it civil this week, people.
I thought you might. Below is the meat of those comments, followed by just a couple examples of the hundreds of nasty quotes online from his own team's fans. I point these out only to underscore that there are stupid, idiotic fans everywhere. Moscow doesn't have the market cornered.
- "This is a great example of why my wife and I no longer travel to Moscow games. It's a culture that is nasty, inebriated and civilly doesn't give our fans the respect that any fan should expect when visiting an away team. ... I don't think at Boise State you're going to find that." — Bob Kustra, during meeting with Idaho Statesman
- "I would go with an orange rain slicker so the beer and urine don't staine your clothing, Oh and don’t forget your riot sheild to protect you from beer bottles and other objects. Park your car far far away from the stadium so it doesn’t get keyed but not so for you can’t out sprint drunken morons after the victory. But most of all, have fun up north. That’s Satan’s country up there." — fan comment on One Br**** Nation Under God blog
- "Its the worst display of human indecency you’ll ever see. No exaggeration. Vandals are the true definition of scum. Just wait and you’ll know exactly what I mean." — fan comment on One Br**** Nation Under God blog
Remember to keep it civil this week, people.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Can Idaho put up 45 again?
Can Idaho score 45 on Nevada this year, as the Vandals did a year ago?
Probably not, but here's an interesting article from the Reno newspaper about Nevada's defensive struggles last week. You'll notice the Wolfpack gave up 315 passing yards in the SECOND HALF alone.
Often second-half passing stats are inflated when a team is losing big and the other team is playing a prevent defense, but still, do you think Enderle and his group of big, fast receivers can take advantage of Nevada today?
Probably not, but here's an interesting article from the Reno newspaper about Nevada's defensive struggles last week. You'll notice the Wolfpack gave up 315 passing yards in the SECOND HALF alone.
Often second-half passing stats are inflated when a team is losing big and the other team is playing a prevent defense, but still, do you think Enderle and his group of big, fast receivers can take advantage of Nevada today?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Post play will prove coaches wrong
The coaches don't know everything.
The Western Athletic Conference men's basketball coaches recently voted Idaho to finish eighth out of nine teams this season (That Team From Boise was inexplicably chosen as the fourth-best squad, but let's leave that one alone for now.) I certainly think the coaches are a better judge of quality than the media. That said, I think they're underestimating the power of the post.
Idaho is going to get after teams this year with the best big-men group to come through Moscow in a long, long time. Meet the core participants:
Kyle Barone: This smooth 6-10 junior improved a lot in his sophomore season, but in a limited role. This year, with center Marvin Jefferson gone, he'll get way more than the 15.8 minutes per contest he averaged a year ago. He's not going to block four shots per outing or dominate the glass, but his soft touch and above-average moves around the basket make him potentially the best player on the team.
Luiz Toledo: At 6-8, 225, he is the perfect size to play power forward in the WAC. He made 64 percent of his shots last season, averaging 7.4 points per game. If he can take advantage of increased opportunities, hopefully he'll up that figure to about 11 points, along with around six rebounds. That would be huge for the Vandals.
Brandon Wiley: If you don't remember this guy, you probably weren't following the Idaho basketball team much before last season. Before sitting out the whole campaign because of injury, this 6-6, 218-pound tweener forward was one of the hardest-working players in the program. In fact, even at his relatively small height, Wiley led the Vandals in rebounding in 2008-09, with 5.6 per game.
If he's the same player he was before the injury, then he, Toledo and Barone could compose one of the most formidable post trios in the WAC.
Renado Parker: Here's a player you definitely haven't heard of, unless you follow junior-college basketball. He's a former First-Team Junior College All-American at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene.
If he gives the effort needed to succeed in Division I college basketball, he'll be in the conversation for the Newcomer of the Year Award at season's end. He has unreal footwork, a silky-smooth stroke all the way to about 18 feet, and a Pac-10 body. He's an absolute load at every bit of 6-6, 255 pounds.
Parker is an elite talent, but he's also prone to fits of defensive apathy. If he doesn't bring consistent hustle in this regard, I don't think coach Don Verlin will give him much of a chance to show what he can do with the basketball in his hands. If he does amp up his effort, he'll be a starter in no time.
These obviously aren't Idaho's only big men, but if just three of these four guys deliver as they can, Idaho will blow that No. 8 poll position out of the water.
The Western Athletic Conference men's basketball coaches recently voted Idaho to finish eighth out of nine teams this season (That Team From Boise was inexplicably chosen as the fourth-best squad, but let's leave that one alone for now.) I certainly think the coaches are a better judge of quality than the media. That said, I think they're underestimating the power of the post.
Idaho is going to get after teams this year with the best big-men group to come through Moscow in a long, long time. Meet the core participants:
Kyle Barone: This smooth 6-10 junior improved a lot in his sophomore season, but in a limited role. This year, with center Marvin Jefferson gone, he'll get way more than the 15.8 minutes per contest he averaged a year ago. He's not going to block four shots per outing or dominate the glass, but his soft touch and above-average moves around the basket make him potentially the best player on the team.
Luiz Toledo: At 6-8, 225, he is the perfect size to play power forward in the WAC. He made 64 percent of his shots last season, averaging 7.4 points per game. If he can take advantage of increased opportunities, hopefully he'll up that figure to about 11 points, along with around six rebounds. That would be huge for the Vandals.
Brandon Wiley: If you don't remember this guy, you probably weren't following the Idaho basketball team much before last season. Before sitting out the whole campaign because of injury, this 6-6, 218-pound tweener forward was one of the hardest-working players in the program. In fact, even at his relatively small height, Wiley led the Vandals in rebounding in 2008-09, with 5.6 per game.
If he's the same player he was before the injury, then he, Toledo and Barone could compose one of the most formidable post trios in the WAC.
Renado Parker: Here's a player you definitely haven't heard of, unless you follow junior-college basketball. He's a former First-Team Junior College All-American at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene.
If he gives the effort needed to succeed in Division I college basketball, he'll be in the conversation for the Newcomer of the Year Award at season's end. He has unreal footwork, a silky-smooth stroke all the way to about 18 feet, and a Pac-10 body. He's an absolute load at every bit of 6-6, 255 pounds.
Parker is an elite talent, but he's also prone to fits of defensive apathy. If he doesn't bring consistent hustle in this regard, I don't think coach Don Verlin will give him much of a chance to show what he can do with the basketball in his hands. If he does amp up his effort, he'll be a starter in no time.
These obviously aren't Idaho's only big men, but if just three of these four guys deliver as they can, Idaho will blow that No. 8 poll position out of the water.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Turnovers robbed Vandals of credit
The Vandals have nothing to hang their heads about.
You might think I'm crazy after looking at the 45-10 score of their loss to Hawaii across the ocean Saturday, but there was much more to that game than the final margin.
It was encouraging to see Idaho consistently move the ball on Hawaii, a team that is just outside the national Top 25 rankings (there's no way they deserve it though) and recently defeated supposed juggernaut Nevada. What's more, the Warriors struggled to execute their own offensive gameplan for much of the first half.
Fortunately for Hawaii, the Vandals stopped themselves. Three critical turnovers were huge in the decisive first half. Not only did they stile Idaho's opportunities, they enabled scoring Hawaii scoring drives of 33, 45 and 48 yards. The Vandals gave up a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown for good measure.
By halftime, the score was 31-3 — very deceptive. It was a pipe dream to think Idaho could come back and win on the road in that situation.
All told, the Vandals defense recorded three sacks and eight and a half tackles for loss. The receivers got open and delivered. And Deonte' Jackson had perhaps his most encouraging performance this year.
Against the likes of Nevada, That Team From Boise, Utah State and Fresno State in the coming weeks, playing well won't be good enough. If the Vandals don't get their turnovers under control, all their offensive talent will have gone to waste.
You might think I'm crazy after looking at the 45-10 score of their loss to Hawaii across the ocean Saturday, but there was much more to that game than the final margin.
It was encouraging to see Idaho consistently move the ball on Hawaii, a team that is just outside the national Top 25 rankings (there's no way they deserve it though) and recently defeated supposed juggernaut Nevada. What's more, the Warriors struggled to execute their own offensive gameplan for much of the first half.
Fortunately for Hawaii, the Vandals stopped themselves. Three critical turnovers were huge in the decisive first half. Not only did they stile Idaho's opportunities, they enabled scoring Hawaii scoring drives of 33, 45 and 48 yards. The Vandals gave up a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown for good measure.
By halftime, the score was 31-3 — very deceptive. It was a pipe dream to think Idaho could come back and win on the road in that situation.
All told, the Vandals defense recorded three sacks and eight and a half tackles for loss. The receivers got open and delivered. And Deonte' Jackson had perhaps his most encouraging performance this year.
Against the likes of Nevada, That Team From Boise, Utah State and Fresno State in the coming weeks, playing well won't be good enough. If the Vandals don't get their turnovers under control, all their offensive talent will have gone to waste.
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