More often than not, the Idaho Vandal football team goes as far as their quarterback.
The trio of contenders know it. Coach Paul Petrino knows it. Vandal nation knows it.
Never has this mantra been more true for the Idaho Vandals than it appears to be this season, with eight days remaining before the season opener at North Texas.
So desperate was the quarterback scenario in Moscow last season that first-year coach Paul Petrino secured a bundle of them on signing day in early February — three to be exact. With opening day dawning on the new look squad, one void has yet to be filled. Yes, the same one that Dominique Blackman, Logan Bushnell and Taylor Davis toyed with during the season to be forgotten. The one that Brian Reader wrestled with two seasons ago when Idaho finished 2-10.
Brace yourselves Vandal nation, you could be in for much of the same in the uncomfortably near future.
Separation is a word thrown around at a near annoying rate when it comes to position battles. It’s the difference between the guy who will take hundreds of snaps and the guy who may be fortunate to accumulate 30 snaps during the 12-13 game season. It’s what Petrino has longed for with Chad Chalich, Josh McCain and Taylor Davis.
Chalich is the front-runner, a local favorite from Coeur d’Alene, who, based on a 19-20 passing performance during Saturday’s scrimmage, may have already locked up the starting spot.
McCain is a junior college prospect that Petrino had his eyes locked on when he was in SEC territory, managing the offense and the quarterbacks at Arkansas. In other words, the guy who was supposed to come into town, obliterate the competition and win the job unanimously.
Davis enters his senior season as the only quarterback on roster with Division 1 experience. His last time on the gridiron — a dismal showing in Logan, Utah, where 10-23 passing and three interceptions contributed to a 45-9 loss against Utah State.
In power conferences, the lack of separation at this point of fall camp is often cited as a good thing. A team has been blessed with two guys equally worthy of the spot. With the Vandals, this isn’t the case.
As Petrino’s first test approaches, it seems that Chalich is merely good enough to claim the position. Merely good enough to beat out a JUCO quarterback who just hasn’t performed up to par since arriving in the late summer. Merely good enough to seat a washed up Taylor Davis whose last opportunity to grasp the job came after Blackman’s departure last season.
Credit to Chalich for the clear improvements that were made during spring ball and summer workouts. The CDA product possesses the heart, work ethic and mental toughness necessary to stay afloat as an FBS quarterback.
But with Northern Illinois, Washington State, Ole Miss and Florida State on the horizon, good enough isn’t sufficient.
Against mediocre North Texas, it still isn’t ideal.
Theo Lawson can be reached at [email protected]