In the near endless list of emails sat one bold line at the top. A new email that the editor knew right away who it was from and what it was about, before he even read the subject line.

“Jimmy,

Thought you might like an early glimpse of what I’m working on. It’s just the preface so far, but it ought to give those board room number-crunchers something to keep the checks coming. I’m onto something here in Moscow. Something big.”

Jimmy told the writer weeks ago that this was his last chance. The writers cockamamie pitch for his next book would either make him a instant success, or accelerate the demise of an otherwise unremarkable career. An unpopular take on the popular subject of college football.

“At least he can think up a punchy title,” Jimmy thought, and he began to skim the file.

VANDALIZED

Preface

The chicken restaurant we’re in isn’t a chain. It’s dimly lit and angry shadows hide in every corner. It’s not the sort of place I feel comfortable taking out my iPad nano, but I have to, because there’s something I want to show the man across from me. He’s a giant, at least 6’8″ tall, and the way he carries himself indicates he probably used to weigh at least 100 pounds more than he does now. He shovels strips of fried chicken into his mouth, only pausing to look around nervously while splashing more and more unreasonable amounts of Texas Pete onto the slowly dwindling number of remaining strips, already stained pink with sauce.

“Do you recognize this?” I ask him, turning the 3.5″ screen so he can see the video I’ve loaded up. It’s showing twenty-two men, half clad in burnt orange and half clad in white. They are lined up against one another on a field of verdant green, much like what the battle of Agincourt might have been fought on, but with white chalk. But these are not soldiers, even though the rhetoric of their coaches might tell them as much; these are young men, athletes, barely even adults. Then, in silence, because I have the sound muted so as not to draw attention to myself, the two sides slam into one another in a furious land war, a battle for inches.

The whole exercise only takes a matter of seconds.

In the first second: the men in white hold. It seems as though the onrushing orange tide will be fought off.

In the second second: a ball is placed on the turf. Laces out. A man, the smallest of all on the field, but in this moment, the most important, begins his trot towards the ball.

In the third second: everything changes. The white wall breaks, and a single orange jersey comes through the right side.

In the fourth second: the ball is in flight. It seems like everything is going to come down to the kick. The white wall has held long enough, their specialist protected so he can perform his task.

But no. Through the center, a giant of a man, even among these men, crashes through the wall. His hand, raised in defiance, raised in prayer, raised in hope, somehow finds itself in the path of the ball. Moments ago he was the unstoppable force, now he must be the immovable object. The ball collides with his giant hand.

He’s the first to know. He was on the ground, but a moment later he springs to his feet, offering up a primal howl of victory. He shakes his fists and pounds his chest. An audience of thousands erupts in joyous celebration. Then the video ends, and the man answers my question.

With a question.

“Did the fuckin’ Martian Manhunter give you that? He tryin’ to fuck with me again?”

I lower my head, saddened. He should recognize it because he is the giant in orange, the one responsible for the sudden, instantaneous joy of thousands, the man who won the Red River Rivalry for Texas that year. The man across from me is Abraham Lackman, Hero of Texas.

He is also, thanks to his dual degrees in Communications and Statistics, probably the most highly educated homeless schizophrenic you will ever meet.

Lackman is the holder of a diploma from the University of Texas, but he has trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality and reads at a sixth grade level. The diploma he has are all the payment he will receive for his talent at the sport of football. Talent that helps make the NCAA a multi-million dollar industry, talent for which he received nothing more than a scrap of paper and a pat on the back when he went undrafted after his schizophrenia was revealed during a dust-up at the combine.

A dust-up that left two scouts in the hospital, a dust-up caused because he was sure they were sent by Galactus to steal his plans for the Ultimate Nullifier.

It’s too late for Lackman, now. The NCAA, the University of Texas, and the legion of boosters that catered to his every whim are all gone. All he has is a scrap of paper and a reporter willing to buy him twenty dollars worth of fried chicken for a half an hour of his time, so that this story might be told.

But there’s no story here. The NCAA is done with him, has made their money, and now all that remains is a man who is broken. A man who I had to spend twenty minutes convincing I was not Clayface Three before he would even let me buy him a meal. To get to the story of the NCAA, I need to find someone before the system gets them. Find them before their talent is exploited and goes unpaid.

There is a system that creates men like Lackman, men terrified of the Martian Manhunter and Galactus and Clayface Three, but it is a system that protects itself well. To find out how it works, I would have to live that system. So I did, for three years. A journey I would take with a promising young man, a talented athlete, a stranger, who at the end, I would call my friend.

A journey that begins in the unlikely town of Lakeland North, Washington.

FROM THE HEAD COACH

Hello and welcome to the 2014 season of Idaho Vandals football.

The players, staff, and I are all brimming with optimism and excitement with the chance to keep building in a positive direction for Vandal football. This year promises to be another hard fought but triumphant year for Idaho. My goals this year are to have a winning season and to receive a bowl bid, according to page 3 of my contract.

Last season was a long difficult trip, but through hard work, and some hardships, the foundation was laid for a very bright future. Among many highlights from last year Idaho claimed it’s first football victory in over 5 years when it defeated fellow WAC member Hawaii in the Kibbie Dome in September. Just two months later the Vandals traveled to the state capital and defeated rival Boise State. That win over the Broncos was the first victory for Idaho over their main rival in several years, and the first victory for Idaho in Boise in over 10 years.

I’m very pleased to announce that for the 7th season in a row our ticket office has once again claimed the title for lowest priced season ticket package in all of Division 1A football. The team and I will need all the fan support we can get all year long. Get your orders in early fans, the best seats are still available. The first 10,000 fans to order will receive an exclusive membership in one of the top tiers of our booster club, the Instigators of Dreams Inside Our Teams level, and a t-shirt denoting that exclusive membership.

Thank You and Go Vandals,

-Fred Fury
Head Football Coach

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Idaho Vandals Coaching Staff

Head Coach Fred Fury

Head Coach Fred Fury enters his second year coaching the Idaho Vandals. Prior to his arrival in Moscow Fury coached and assisted at SCLSU during an unprecedented era of success for the Muddogs, including 7 consecutive Bourbon Bowls. The string of Bourbon Bowl appearances for the Muddogs has yet to be broken or bested. While SCLSU is mostly revered for its historically strong defenses, under Fury’s direction as offensive coordinator the small school set records for time of possession and consistency of conservative play-calling on 3rd and long situations.

Coaching Experience: Head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks/runningbacks/tight ends/wide receivers/offensive line coach at Idaho (2013-present); Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at SCLSU (2010-2012); Graduate assistant at SCLSU (2008-2009).

Playing Experience: Four-year roster footnotee at backup quarterback and punter for SCLSU from 2004-07; Named the Muddog’s Post-Game Pizza and Beer Go-Fer of the Year his senior year with the football team.

Defensive Coordinator Corporal E. Punishment

Coach Corporal Punishment enters his second year as defensive coordinator for the Idaho Vandals. Prior to his time on the sidelines for the Vandals Punishment served as a camp coordinator and counselor for troubled youths and teens at risk. Punishment is also a regular on the Maury Povich Show and comes with an endorsement from both Povich and Montel Williams that he keeps framed on his office wall.

Coaching Experience: Defensive coordinator and defensive line/defensive backs coach at Idaho (2013-present); Defensive coordinator and defensive line/linebackers/defensive backs coach at Idaho (2013).

Playing Experience: None (speculated). When asked Coach Punishment offered to show us his “prison tats”, but told us “he would have to kill us” if we asked what each one meant.

Special Team Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Jeff McBride

Coach McBride returns for his second year with the Vandal coaching staff turning down several lucrative opportunities while doing so, as he would like you to know. Prior to joining the coaching staff at Idaho McBride was a nationally renowned public speaker and author of several New York Scribe’s Best Seller self-help books. The books are now out of print and only available from McBride exclusively via eBay. Contact mcbridesecretofsuccess@aol.com for details.

Coaching Experience: Recruiting coordinator and special teams coach at Idaho (2013-present); Millions of individual success stories for countless years.

Playing Experience: None. Successes in the “capitalist game”- infinite.

Linebackers Coach Isaiah Cannon

Isaiah Cannon joins the Vandals coaching staff after finishing up a successful playing career for his first year as linebackers coach at his alma mater.

Coaching Experience: Linebackers coach at Idaho (2014-present).

Playing Experience: Three-year letter winner at linebackers for Idaho from 2011-13, started at SLB for two seasons; Won the Golden Vandal Award as most valuable senior in his last year as a player for Idaho.

- End of Media Guide Page 2 -

2014 VANDALS ROSTER BY POSITION

Experience: “S” indicates a player who started last season, “V” indicates a letterman from last season, “Q” indicates a non-lettering/squad player, and “RS” indicates players who redshirted.

Key: ACC = Acceleration, AWR = Awareness, BTK = Break Tackle, CAR = Carry, CTH = Catch, JMP = Jump, KAC = Kick Accuracy, KPW = Kick Power, OVR = Overall, PBK = Pass Block, RBK = Run Block, (RS) = Redshirt, SPD = Speed, STR = Strength, TAK = Tackle, THA = Throw Accuracy, THP = Throw Power

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Depth Chart

Notable Players

- End of Media Guide Page 4 -

Roster Notes

Coach Fury has announced plans to redshirt nine players in advance of the 2014 season, barring any unforeseen attrition due to injuries or discipline:

The Vandals coaching staff will attempt to redshirt QB Kenton Johnson in spite of being listed third on the depth chart. Johnson may only have the makings of career backup written all over him but the coaches would like to space out their QB depth anyway. Johnson is the most expendable option in the glut of young QB’s at this time.

Darron Williams is listed third on the TE depth chart, but the coaches would like an extra year to develop him. His repeated demonstration of stone-like hands in catching drills didn’t thrill anyone, but his size and strength show that the TE may have some potential. The coaches think a year of dedicated time in the weight room would benefit Williams the best at this point. It keeps the coaches from having to figure out how to play him, and saves the team in travel money.

Gavin Douglas and Troy Caldwell both have the physical ability to play the linebacker position, but show an uncanny ability to run the wrong way and miss tackles at this point in their careers. The linebacking corps is deep enough to allow Douglas and Caldwell an extra year to learn the playbook, assuming the can at least follow along with the pictures.

When the coaches watched Rufus Williams and Scott Frederick in Summer practice they thought the pair of freshman had maybe just gotten lost on campus and wandered into drills on accident. Suprisingly the pair of CB’s kept attending practices and demonstrated enough of a pulse to earn a roster spot when final cuts were made. The coaches think the duo will work well into the scout team rotation, and with a year of physical development, perhaps get the chance to start giving up TD’s in a real-live game situation in 2015.

Kyle Dunlap and Noah Smith were both recruited early to contribute to the secondary from their first day on campus. Like much cases in recruiting these days the safeties showed enough hyped ability to compete with, but not beat the incumbent marginal starters in the Vandal secondary. However, the current roster depth at safety gives the coaches an opportunity to redshirt the pair of freshmen. The close of the 2014 season will see the departure of three regular contributors to the safety rotation, and Dunlap and Smith will have to be ready to fill their shoes next year.

The coaches had hoped Nick Jackson would be able to take over punting duties as soon as he made the team after Summer training. However, Jackson demonstrated he had difficulty tying up his cleats with any kind of consistent success, much less achieve a coffin-corner punt. The coaches hope that with a year of development Jackson might actually play at the position he’s listed at in 2015.

With these redshirts the class standing for the next two seasons is as follows:

Captains

Following Summer practice the team nominated and elected the following captains:

Offensive Captain: SR(RS) G David Barnes
Defensive Captain: SR SS Thomas Taylor

Taylor was re-elected after serving his junior year as the defensive captain. This is David Barnes first year as captain of the offense.

Preseason Honors

In a dramatic change from last year, ESPN Magazine has selected several Vandals as honorees for the Preseason All-WAC Teams. For the first team the entire Vandals interior offensive line was selected, and half of the secondary.

1st Team All-WAC:
G David Barnes, SR(RS)
G Stephen Harris, SO
C Matt Ard, SR
CB Eric Mitchell, SO
SS Thomas Taylor, SR
K Desmond Adams, SO

2nd Team All-WAC:
DE Travis Stratton, SR

ESPN Magazine was not so lofty in its outlook for the team as a whole. The publication ranked Idaho 114 out 120 Division 1A schools in its preseason team rankings. In addition it projected the Vandals to finish 8th out of the 9 team WAC Conference.

NCAA Probation

Idaho enters its last year of scholarship reductions from NCAA sanctions. As a school still under probationary status Idaho is subject to review at the end of the year where the NCAA may determine to extend sanctions or repeal them. If they choose to repeal Idaho will be able to offer the full count of 25 scholarships instead of 10 for the 2016 class of recruits.

The football team will still have a two-season ban on televised games and post-season play until the NCAA chooses to lift the penalty.

- End of Media Guide Page 5 -

Meet The New Vandals
The 2014 edition of the Idaho Vandals welcomes 18 new players to help bolster the ranks. The 2014 class was the most highly touted of Coach Fury’s signing classes to date.

#49 FB Eric Alston – Aberdeen, WA – 6’1″, 213 lbs.

One of the goals with every recruiting class is to bring in players that can immediatley add depth at a given position. The Vandals addition of Aberdeen, WA native Eric Alston not only adds depth to the FB corps, it adds a wallop too.

Alston, ranked the #8 fullback in the class of 2014, showed an immediate interest in the Idaho Vandals during the recruiting process. Fullback is a position that largely goes unused in the era of high-flying spread offenses, but it’s one of the most important positions in the Vandals triple-option attack. While Alston was approached by many schools with offers of playing time, he knew Idaho would give him a chance to be an immediate playmaker. That benefit, and the schools proximity to his hometown, were the major factors in his commitment to the Vandals.

Alston played four years of varsity level football at Aberdeen’s G.K. Willie High School, and was a regular feature in goalline situations for the Fighting Scots. He finished his high school career with 25 TD’s on only 120 carries. The forceful runner is projected to start right away for the Vandals after winning the job with a very impressive Summer practice.

W.O. #55 MLB Troy Caldwell – Hayden, ID – 6’2″, 221 lbs.

Freshman walkon middle linebacker Troy Calhoun hales from the same high school as fellow linebacker Nate Hufford. The Hayden High Royals aren’t yet known for turning out a ton of football talent, but the duo of defensive comrades hope to change that.

Calhoun chose to walk-on with the Vandals in spite of earning scholarship offers from smaller programs. The freshman saw a chance to make the roster as soon as he scouted Idaho’s depth chart during his senior year of high school. While Calhoun did make cuts after Summer practice was over, the coaches expect the linebacker to redshirt a year before playing.

#36 HB/SB Ryne Carter – Hoquiam, WA – 5’11″, 215 lbs.

Ryne Carter wasn’t targeted as a prospect until late in the recruiting year, but that’s okay because as the shorter-than-typical runningback jokes himself- he’s used to being overlooked. Carter comes in with the class of 2014 as part of a pair of fleet-footed runningbacks that add a whole new dimension of speed to the Vandal offense.

Getting to the edge isn’t always Ryne’s M.O. when he has the ball though. The freshman quickly earned the nickname “Ryne-O” from his teamates in Summer practice after repeated demonstrations of his affinity for getting the tough yards the hard way.

Carter posted two 1000-yard seasons running the ball in high school, in addition to a 79 total TD’s in his pre-collegiate career. “Ryne-O” is part of a crowded, but talented Vandal backfield. While he may not see the amount of carries he did in high school, the coaches expect him to contribute right away to the overall ground attack this year.

#30 HB/SB Chris Castorani – Spokane, WA – 6’0″, 194 lbs.

Chris Castorani is the other half of the fleet-footed runningback commits of 2014, and is argued by many to be the crown jewel of this year’s class. The coaches identified Castorani after he completed his senior season in high school, and they all knew right away he was a talent that couldn’t be missed.

Castorani is noted by his Vandal teammates for his perpetually reserved demeanour. Nicknamed “Monk” the freshman goes about his business quietly, but always leaves a statement in his play.

Castorani, one of the top runningbacks out of Washington state last year, recorded four 1000-yard seasons and 115 total TD’s in his high school career. Pursued by many schools for his services Castorani ultimately picked Idaho due to the diligence of the coaching staff recruiting him and comfort level with the school. Castorani figures to be an immediate player, if not regular starter, for the 2014 Vandals.

W.O. #58 OLB Gavin Douglas – Shelley,ID – 6’5″, 210 lbs.

Gavin Douglas is the second walk-on linebacker from Shelley, ID in as many years. While the first, Jake Walker, may have moved the secondary, Douglas hopes to solidify himself as a prototypical 3-4 OLB. The former high school basketball player has the height and leaping ability to knock down passes as a rush end with some development. The coaches hope to be able to redshirt Douglas for some extra development time.

#38 FS Kyle Dulap – Seattle, WA – 6’0″, 196 lbs.

Kyle Dunlap is the farthest commit away from home in the class of 2014, hailing all the way from the big city of Seattle, WA. Dunlap doesn’t have any concerns over homesickness though, he was interested in Idaho right away as a chance to enjoy college out of the hustle and bustle of a busy metropolis.

Dunlap was overlooked by just about everyone early in the recruiting process except for the Vandals. There weren’t a lot of highlight reels on Dunlap; not because the high school cornerback wasn’t doing his job, but because he was. Dunlap didn’t give any opportunities for quarterbacks to throw around him, or for opposing receivers to break him down. Consequently, he rarely saw the ball come his way on defense and didn’t log eye popping stats.

The coaches hope to be able to redshirt Dunlap as the safety of the future for the Vandals secondary.

W.O. #59 ILB Kevin Evans – Nampa, ID – 6’3″, 226 lbs.

Kevin Evans is the second freshman from Nampa, ID to walk-on with the Vandals for the Fall football season. Evans and high school teammate Scott Frederick both saw the need for depth on Idaho’s roster, and both made the cut for the team after Summer workouts. Evans will pair with another fellow walk-on, Troy Calhoun, to backup at the inside linebacker spot throughout the Fall.

W.O. #27 CB Scott Frederick – Nampa, ID – 6’1″, 180 lbs.

Scott Frederick is the second Nampa, ID walk-on to make the Vandals 2014 roster. Frederick provides depth to a depleted CB corp that saw reduced numbers after two seniors graduated in 2013. The freshman expects to redshirt this Fall.

W.O. #86 WR Randy Holt – Post Falls, ID – 6’0″, 196 lbs.

Post Falls native Randy Holt walked-on to the team this Summer to fill an opening at wide receiver left vacant after graduation. The talented freshman has wowed coaches with his natural ability and will battle veteran Donald Thompson for the #3 WR position this Fall.

(“Meet the New Vandals” continued on the following page…)

- End of Media Guide Page 6 -

Meet The New Vandals
(continued from previous page)

#19 TE Dane Jackson – Evergreen, WA – 6’3″, 197 lbs.

Dane Jackson was a late signing day commit who picked the Vandals over several options for college. Jackson fits in the mold of the modern era flex-type TE. He was pass catching machine in high school, averaging 40 catches from the very underutilized position. The coaches certainly intend to employ Jackson in their passing game as an extra threat this year, but they also hope to develop him into a better blocker to round out his acumen at the position.

The Evergreen native is one of two additions to TE this offseason, joining walk-on Darron Williams. Expect to see Jackson battling incumbent Justin Green for starting reps throughout the Fall.

W.O. #15 P Nick Jackson – Idaho Falls, ID – 6’2″, 186 lbs.

No one is really sure how Nick Jackson made the final roster. The best any of the coaches can figure is that after deciding none of the walk-on punters were good enough over Summer practice, they just forgot to cut Jackson. Bewilderingly he showed up for Fall organizational meetings, and without any good excuse to throw him out of the Kibbie Dome Athletics Center the coaches reluctantly put him on the roster.

Jackson is expected to redshirt the upcoming season, and hopefully develop one day into the punter of the future for the Vandals. In the meantime the coaches have encouraged him to pick a major that will be worth something someday.

W.O. #18 QB Kenton Johnson – Mountain Home, ID – 6’2″, 217 lbs.

Kenton Johnson walked-on to the team for Summer workouts hoping to win a spot at QB. The MHHS Tiger was used as a dual-thread pass and thrower before college, but had no experience in an option offense. Nevertheless the freshman was able to impress coaches with his athleticism enough to win a spot when final cuts were made.

Kenton has mobility, but figures to be more of a pocket passer in the mold of fellow QB Carlos Dickson. Johnson’s addition to the roster is a move that signals the desire for a more balanced attack on offense. However, in spite of paper thin depth at QB don’t expect to see Johnson under center this Fall unless things start to go very wrong.

#98 DE Brandon Mayes – Lakeland North, WA – 6’5″, 241 lbs.

Brandon Mayes is the most highly touted recruit signed by Idaho under the direction of Coach Fury. Mayes was targeted by Vandals coaches early in the recruiting season, just after the start of his senior year. He maintained a strong interest in the Idaho program even while being recruited by several big name schools. The coaches expected a long, competitive recruitment for Mayes but the big Lakeland North, WA native shocked everyone when he committed to the Vandals after an official visit half-way through the Fall season.

The talented true freshman joins a corps of experienced veterans at DE, but the coaches hope to get him on the field early and often. Expect to see Mayes in situational duty this Fall, disrupting opponent passing games.

#63 (JR) G Adam Pitts – Richland, WA – 6’2″, 279 lbs.

Adam Pitts is a JUCO transfer from Snow College that the coaches had hoped they could talk into walking-on. Pitts talent didn’t stay under the radar for too long though, and the coaches quickly offered a scholarship along with several other schools, including rival Boise State. Luckily Pitts decided to stick with the school that he was familiar with all along and committed the Vandals on Signing Day.

Pitts, a full-time starter his entire JUCO career, offers immediate relief as a backup across every offensive line position. His skill set skews toward interior guard, and the junior could win a spot starting at OG before the season is done.

#37 SS Noah Smith – Pasco, WA – 6’1″, 213 lbs.

Noah Smith was a recruit that the Idaho coaches hoped to secure a commitment from early in the season. While Smith lacked a stellar statistical record in high school, when the coaches reviewed his measurables they knew he had the talent to achieve at a very high level. Unfortunately the word on Smith got out, and several big name schools began recruiting him very hard. The Vandal coaches continued to fight for a commitment from Smith through the Fall football season. Their diligence paid off when Smith finally committed late in the season after an official visit at Oklahoma.

Smith brings a lot of speed to the safety position, so much that he could even spend time a cornerback. However, the coaches like Smith’s potential and will try to redshirt him this season to grow into the hard hitting strong safety of the future for the Vandals.

W.O. #2 TE Darron Williams – Salmon, ID – 6’3″, 252 lbs.

When Darron Williams walked-on to Summer workouts hoping to make the Vandals roster he didn’t have any particular position in mind, he just wanted to hit someone. Everyday of Summer workouts the coaches moved Williams around trying to find a spot for him. One thing remained a constant no matter where the coaches had Williams line up, though, veterans shying away from contact from the jumbo athlete.

Eventually Williams found a home at TE, where he eventually won a spot on the roster. Williams gives the coaches a sledgehammer lead blocker on plays to the corner, and a guy who savors going over the middle in pass routes just to watch linebackers bounce off of him.

The coaches hope to redshirt Williams this year to give him even more time to grow.

W.O. #21 CB Rufus Williams – Burley, ID – 6’0″, 197 lbs.

Rufus Williams walked-on to the Vandals football team claiming to be the son of an influential Idaho booster. Most of the coaches weren’t buying it, but Coach McBride couldn’t pass up the opportunity to network with a potential investor, and Williams found his way on the roster by the end of Summer cuts.

The freshman will take some time this year to learn the playbook, and hopefully how to tackle, on the scout team.

W.O. #97 NT Jeffrey Wilson – Payette, ID – 6’1″, 286 lbs.

Jeffrey Wilson walked on to the team this Summer to fill the literal and figurative gigantic void at NT when SR Marquis Evans graduated. What the freshman lacks for quicks he makes up for with brute force by the boatload. The coaches would love a chance to redshirt Wilson, but severe roster deficiencies at NT will cause Wilson to backup starter Roger Whitaker this year at the middle of the defensive line.

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Schedule

The Vandals schedule gets off to a fast start this year with Idaho traveling 15 miles west to visit Washington State in the annual Battle of the Palouse rivalry game to open the year. The Vandals quickly follow that up by hosting blockbuster opponent and preseason #1 Texas in the Kibbie Dome. Other out of conference games this season include hosting the annual Battle for the Little Brown Stein rivalry game against Montana, and a visit by preseason #24 Indiana.

WAC play will begin in the September 20th, when Idaho will make the 3000 mile trip to Honolulu to play the Hawaii Warriors. After visiting Utah State, the Vandals will return to the Kibbie Dome to play Nevada as an exciting Homecoming opponent. The Vandals will host in-state rival Boise State for the annual Battle for Idaho before concluding WAC play against San Jose State at home. Senior night will be the last game of the year against #24 Indiana.

Looking forward to future schedules, Idaho will visit Texas and Indiana in 2015 as part of home-and-home agreements with those schools. AD Ed Gennero continues in discussions with Kentucky and Louisville as potential future opponents.

Conclusion

We would like to thank you for taking the time to read the 2014 Idaho Vandal Media Guide. Remember, this guide is made with 100% experiemental paper as part of an agreement with Multinational Paper to save money. That means you shouldn’t try to recycle, throw away, or eat any part of this media guide. Please burn in a well ventilated area. We hope to see you at the games.

Go Vandals!

- End of Media Guide -

Idaho kicked off the country’s earliest spring college football scimmage yesterday, with this year’s annual Gold/Silver Spring Game. A crowd of less that 3,000 gathered for the noon kickoff, with attendance about 1,500 less than last year. Head Coach Fred Fury enters his second season leading the Vandals, with hopes to improve on a 7th place finish in the WAC in his first year at the helm. A total of 36 players return to the team for the 2014 season, with 8 returning offensive starters, and 8 returning defensive starters.

The Vandals had several departures through graduation after the 2013 campaign including offensive starters Jordan Horton (WR), Blake Payne (TE), Brandon Miller (TE), and part time starter John Kucera (QB). Defensively Idaho lost starters Marquis Evans (NT), Isaiah Cannon (SLB), and Chris Scott (CB) to graduation.

The Spring Game itself was a brief scrimmage with only 36 players total to work with. Defensive Coordinator Corporal McBride coach the Gold Squad (in white) and took the ball first. The Silver Squad, coached by Fred Fury, struggled defensively in the first half, and the Gold’s run-only offense had netted them a 24-0 lead at the break.

Eric Mitchell playing at HB carries the ball for an early Gold Squad score.

After the break the Silver Squad took the ball and alternated QB’s between Ralph Bryan and Carlos Dickson frequently. Dickson struggled in the passing phase, but Bryan’s running propelled the the Silver to close the score to within a touchdown in the waning seconds. A last second heave by Dickson fell incomplete and the Gold squad held on to win 33-26.

Seeing B.J. Ewing in the Maryland-I Wildcat formation confused the Silver Squad defense throughout the scrimmage.

In spite of returning several veterans, Coach Fury as indicated after the Spring Game that every position was still open. Vandals fans at the Spring Game observed several key position battles throughout the scrimmage:

QB
Rising sophomore Ralph Bryan established himself as one of the top scrambling QB’s in all of college football as a freshman last season, including winning the starting spot over incumbent John Kucera halfway through the season. In spite of all the accolades Bryan’s one-dimensional game limited the Vandals offensively somewhat, redshirt freshman Carlos Dickson has seen several reps since practice started this Spring. Dickson showed off his arm early and often in the Spring Game, but the Vandal receiving corps wasn’t always on the same page, revealing a whole new set of problems. Expect to see Bryan and Dickson splitting reps throughout the 2014 season.

HB
Rising senior HB/SB Jared Manson secured the starting job last year after oft-troubled Fred DeLuca was suspended, and eventually cut from the team. Fellow HB/SB and fellow rising senior Chris Smith has challenged for the starting job throughout his career as Vandal, and that hasn’t changed throughout the Spring. Manson and Smith should both see the ball plenty in Idaho’s run first attack, but the starting job will be in question even through Fall when high touted freshman backs Chris Castorani and Ryne Carter arrive on campus.

FB
The FB/Upback position in Idaho’s attack is just as critical as the HB position. Rising redshirt junior Chris Bonner had the position locked up until some off the field issues opened the door for then freshman Jeff Mixon. Bonner and Mixon will battle for the job until Fall practice starts and highly touted freshman Eric Alston arrives on campus. The job will up for grabs for anyone from that point.

SLB
As Isaiah Cannon prepares for his upcoming pro day to try and make an NFL roster, the Vandals are searching to fill the gigantic void left in their linebacking rotation. Rising redshirt junior David Wood appeared to be the heir apparent for Cannon’s spot heading into the Spring as the only “Sam” listed on the roster. However, things turned into a battle when Wood’s former high school teammate Carl Young was moved to SLB from WLB just before Spring practices. Young, a rising senior, has acquitted himself nicely at his new position throughout practices so far.

WLB
The move of Carl Young to the strongside has left rising redshirt junior Nate Hufford and rising redshirt sophomore Ricky Carter to battle it out for the starting job on the weakside. Hufford gets a nod for experience, but Carter has shown better athleticism throughout practices. Expect this battle to last well into the season.

CB
Rising sophomore Eric Mitchell established himself as one of the best in the Vandals secondary as soon as he arrived in Moscow last Fall, and started at one corner position with veteran Chris Scott throughout 2013. With Scott graduating rising seniors David Sullivan and Nick Moody are splitting reps to determine who will start opposite Mitchell in 2014. Expect to see all three on the field plenty either way as the Vandals will be working in nickel packages to stop the offenses in the pass-happy WAC.