Sep. 2—MOSCOW, Idaho — Losing to fellow Big Sky Conference member Cal Poly, 38-34, on a final-seconds touchdown pass on 4th and 8, in the season-opening game was a rude shock for Idaho, which, based on its 5-0 all-time record against the Mustangs and Cal Poly's recent reputation as a Big Sky speed ***** p had pretty much penciled this in as a win.
The defining game for the Vandals this year was supposed to be the home clash against defending Football Championship Subdivision Montana State Oct 2. But now the Vandals are already in damage control mode, needing to make a good showing against Football Bowl Subdivision Utah on Thursday to convince themselves, more than anyone, that they are a good team, better than their 4-8 record last year and their season-opening stumble, and still harboring hopes of making the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. This is all on Idaho. Utah has nothing to prove other than it can handle an FCS team.
Here are three things to watch when the Vandals and Utes collide.
1. Have the Vandals got their defense fixed?
Against Cal Poly the defensive line was regularly pushed off the ball. Idaho could not mount much of a pass rush or hold an edge against Mustangs' quarterback Anthony Grigbsy, who threw for four touchdowns and ran for 62 yards and another score, and Cal Poly's 197 rushing yard and 319 passing yards point to Idaho's shortcomings in tackling and pass defense. Linebacker Cruz Hepburn's 12 tackles and a pass breakup were notable. However, the Vandals can't give up 516 yards of total offense again against any opponent, let alone Utah, and expect to have much of a season.
#utah #much #yards
The defining game for the Vandals this year was supposed to be the home clash against defending Football Championship Subdivision Montana State Oct 2. But now the Vandals are already in damage control mode, needing to make a good showing against Football Bowl Subdivision Utah on Thursday to convince themselves, more than anyone, that they are a good team, better than their 4-8 record last year and their season-opening stumble, and still harboring hopes of making the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. This is all on Idaho. Utah has nothing to prove other than it can handle an FCS team.
Here are three things to watch when the Vandals and Utes collide.
1. Have the Vandals got their defense fixed?
Against Cal Poly the defensive line was regularly pushed off the ball. Idaho could not mount much of a pass rush or hold an edge against Mustangs' quarterback Anthony Grigbsy, who threw for four touchdowns and ran for 62 yards and another score, and Cal Poly's 197 rushing yard and 319 passing yards point to Idaho's shortcomings in tackling and pass defense. Linebacker Cruz Hepburn's 12 tackles and a pass breakup were notable. However, the Vandals can't give up 516 yards of total offense again against any opponent, let alone Utah, and expect to have much of a season.
#utah #much #yards
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