Amid 0-2 start, Idaho looks to simplify defense, establish a more effective run game

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Sep. 8—MOSCOW, Idaho — Replay doesn't exist in the real world. The disappointment of losing on a last-second play against Cal Poly, and the chagrin of a blowout defeat to Utah are in the past.

Learn lessons. Move on. Those were the themes of Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr.'s news conference Monday.

The Vandals (0-2) have their first home game Saturday against Lamar (1-1), which upset Abilene Christian 21-14 in the Cardinals' opener and lost to Louisiana 38-7 a week ago.

"Those two results don't define this team," Ford said of the Vandals' 38-34 heartbreaker against the Mustangs and the 66-14 loss to the nationally ranked Utes. Keeping things as positive as possible following Thursday's loss to 20th-ranked Utah, Ford said, "When we play our best we can play with the top schools in the country."

To show more than flashes of competence, though, Idaho is going to have to fix a bunch of things on defense against Lamar. The Vandals are going to have to show they can tackle, develop a rush, hold an edge on defense and cover in the secondary.

"We must play light years better," defensive coordinator Lee Stalker said. "We have to take accountability and handle our 20 feet on defense."

Idaho freshman safety Luca Moore made eight tackles against the Utes in his debut. Ford said he expect s the back of the defense will also be strengthened by the return of senior safety Zach Wusstig and junior linebacker Darrell Gipson Jr., a transfer from Cincinnati, who have been out with injuries. Following the first two games, Stalker said the communication among defensive players will be simplified to allow them to play more instinctively.

It probably won't hurt that the defenders, at least early, will be able to play simply: go forward, sell out and stop Lamar's running attack. The Cardinals' head coach, Pete Rossomando, "is an offensive line guy," Ford said. "They run the football."

Against both Abilene Christian and Louisiana, however, Lamar had to shift to a passing attack. The team threw for 185 yards against Abilene Christian and rushed for another 95, and it threw for 149 yards against Louisiana while adding another 56 yards on the ground.

Idaho is still exploring its own running game. Being physically dominant has been a watchword for Ford throughout preseason camp. Establishing a running game to set up play-action passing is a strategic goal for the Vandals, according to offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker. The offensive line "showed they can block in the Big 12," Ford said of Idaho's performance against Utah. Senior Hayden Kincheloe ran for 37 yards and a touchdown on seven carries against the Utes before exiting with what Ford says was not a disabling injury.

"He showed he was more than a short yardage back," Ford said.

Kincheloe is expected to return against Lamar, but Shoemaker said, the Vandals "are still trying to find that lead dog" among running backs Ferrari Miller (16 carries for 45 yards) Damonte Bias (nine carries for 36 yards) and freshman Kenny Golston (three attempts for 24 yards).

"We have got to get our run game going," Shoemaker added.

Quarterback Joshua Wood leads the Vandals' offense thus far. In two games he has thrown for 474 yards and a touchdown while adding another 83 yards rushing and a score.

In addition, Ford said Wood has been able to keep the Vandals' heads up and keep them focused on turning around a season that has started out disappointingly.

"He's been able to rally the troops. He's a vocal leader," said Ford. "This is what he is built for. He is built for adversity."

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