VANDAL NOTES: Idaho ready to 'protect the Dome' on Saturday

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Sep. 11—After nearly three long weeks, the Vandals are finally playing at home for first time this season.

For Idaho's coaching staff, getting back inside the P1FCU Kibbie Dome isn't just a change of scenery. It's a chance to play in front of a stadium full of Vandal fans for the first time this season and a chance to introduce the newest members of the program to the historic Dome's atmosphere, to "protect the Dome" and build a home-field identity to carry forward for the rest of the season.

"I couldn't be more excited," Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. said of being back in the Kibbie Dome. "I've had an opportunity in my career to coach in a lot of different places, and there's nothing like the Kibbie Dome. I mean, the atmosphere that our fans have provided over the last five years is unbelievable, and I expect nothing less for the rest of the season."

Also in this edition of Vandal Notes: what Idaho took away from the Utah loss and how senior quarterback Joshua Wood's impact has been felt this season.

Kibbie Dome home-field advantage from the coaches' point of view

Ford said that "it means everything" to play in the Kibbie Dome again and it feels like forever since Idaho has played a home game. This will be the first opportunity for freshmen on campus to attend a home football game, so Ford said he expects a packed house.

Defensive coordinator Lee Stalker said he expects the Vandal fans to be loud and cause issues for the opposing offense. He said the defense has a goal of giving the fans something to cheer for. There is a history of success at home in recent years, and Stalker said he wants to bring back the winning culture and to gain the support of the fans.

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"I think it's extremely exciting," Stalker said of coaching in the Kibbie Dome for the first time. "I've heard so much in the past (from) other colleagues in the profession, and obviously our players that have played here, and really (about) the most recent success over the years here in the Kibbie Dome."

Offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker has experience coaching in the Kibbie Dome before, but has always been on the opposing side. He said during his time in Michigan and Hawaii, it wasn't as easy to bring close friends and family to watch games, so he is excited to host people for a home game again.

"It's exciting to be home," Shoemaker said. "I've coached here before, and I didn't enjoy it quite as much. But being able to be at home, having the family here, people coming in from out of town, family coming in from out of town to see the first game is really exciting."

What Idaho gained from the Utah contest

Idaho fell by 52 points to the Utah Utes on Sept. 3, the then-ranked No. 21 team in the Football Bowl Subdivision. However, Ford said there was something to be gained from the loss.

"I think we gained some confidence knowing that when we play our best, we can play with one of the top schools in the country," Ford said. "I mean, that team is as talented of a team as we'll see all season. From their size, speed, and athleticism, that was a very good group."

He said there was no part of the game in which Utah struggled; the Utes were very good at running the football and really challenged the Vandals with their defensive pressure.

Wood only took one sack in the contest, and Ford said it was a shared responsibility sack, not just on the offensive line.

The ability of the team to stick together was crucial throughout the game and also will be for the rest of the season.

"You never saw anyone quit on the team," Ford said. "You didn't hear guys on the sideline with negative energy, it was still very positive even though we got down quite a bit. You didn't see the guys hanging their heads, and I think that's a very positive thing. It's very easy to hang your head and feel very negative when you get down four scores, but I don't think our kids did that, and they definitely kept fighting."

Joshua Wood and his impact so far this season

Wood has been the engine of the Vandals' offense so far this season. Success hasn't been found much when Wood doesn't have the ball in his hands.

So far this season, Wood is 27-of-52 passing with 474 yards and two touchdowns.

Wood also leads the Vandals in rushing with 83 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries.

Shoemaker pointed to Wood's leadership ability as pivotal for the offense and said he is excited for what Wood's season can become. Shoemaker also said that Wood has helped put the offense in great positions to score by causing big plays either by scrambling or with great passes. Wood has done a great job of responding to slow starts by the offense and leading the charge to score points.

Ford also pointed to Wood's expanded leadership as a great addition to this season.

"He's doing exactly what you think your captain quarterback would do," Ford said. "He's been able to rally the troops. He's been a true vocal leader in that locker room, and I think he's handled everything really, really well. He's a very poised young man, and this is what he's built for. He's built for a little bit of adversity. He's got a chip on his shoulder, and I know he's going to play that way Saturday."

Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X @TrevorJunt.

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