How Idaho can beat Lamar in home opener for first win of season | Things to watch
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Sep. 11—MOSCOW, Idaho — As symbols go this one might be extended to have some relevance for the football team.
Idaho (0-2) readies for its home opener against Lamar (1-1). But game-day traffic through campus potentially faces major challenges from ongoing road construction.
It begs the question, is the university ready for this?
The query might also be asked of the Vandals. A defense that put up subpar efforts in losses to Cal Poly and Utah, and what is supposed to be a run-heavy offense that is instead led by quarterback Joshua Wood with 64 rushing yards in two games, while running backs have yet to put up more than 44 yards a game, await debut performances from units of the team that are supposed to be the foundation for a rebound from last year's disappointing 4-8 season.
Here are three things to watch as the Vandals host the Cardinals.
1. Execution versus scheme? Both Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. and Lamar coach Peter Rossomando point to their team's unimpressive quality of play in losses this season. It is most glaring for the Vandals on defense. Both Ford and Rossomando say their players must execute game plans better. Idaho defensive coordinator Lee Stalker says the Vandals will simplify communication against Lamar to get the defense to play instinctively. But this game may show whether Idaho's problems have more to with execution or with talent, asking players to do things they can't.
2. Through Idaho's first two games, Wood has been the catalyst on offense. He was stellar against Cal Poly, passing for 383 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 42 yards. He fell off against Utah, passing for 111 yards with an interception, while rushing for 41 yards and a touchdown, often on broken plays. Can he rebound against the Cardinals or does the Utah game show that teams have learned how to contain him?
3. Rossomando has history with the Kibbie Dome. In 1993 he was a Boston University lineman when the Vandals beast BU, 21-14 in the NCAA 1-AA playoffs. Ford says Rossomando's career playing on both offensive and defensive lines colors his coaching philosophy. He wants Lamar to be the more physical team in every game. But that is what Ford wants for the Vandals. Establish the run and work the passing game off it, says Idaho offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker. However, the Vandals are still looking for a consistently dominant running back among Hayden Kincheloe, Ferrari Miller, Damonte Bias and freshman Kenny Golston. Running games start at the line of scrimmage. Will the Vandals offensive line be able to dominate a quick, athletic defensive front recruited by a coach who pays special attention to that aspect of the game?
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