Besides learning that they probably need to make some adjustments on their kickoff team, there are several positives the Vandals can take away from the suspended football season opener at Florida.
After hours of lightning delay Saturday in Gainesville, Florida, the Gators’ Valdez “Rain Man” Showers lived up to his name, taking the opening kickoff 64-yards in torrential rains before the game was called off again, and eventually cancelled due to the weather.
At press time, the outcome of the cancellation had not been decided yet. Idaho and Florida are working out the details of possibly rescheduling the game and what happens to the $975,000 Idaho was expected to receive by Feb. 1, 2015 for playing in The Swamp.
Aside from the obvious questions marks regarding the future of the game, there are things both teams can take away, and it’s not all negative
for Idaho.
While Florida was definitely not looking past Idaho, they were heavy favorites and starting the season with a solid win is just what Florida coach Will Muschamp needs to help cool the hot seat he’s on to start the season.
Meanwhile, Idaho was just there to start the season and play football. Now, they get to start the season a week later, against fellow Sun Belt opponent Louisiana-Monroe instead of a SEC powerhouse.
In my last column, I stressed the importance of Idaho staying healthy early in the season. The Swamp was more like a literal swamp on Saturday, and even if the game was deemed playable, the wet conditions would have provided a more dangerous environment for the players.
Idaho coach Paul Petrino is also opening the season with a young offense. Freshman quarterback Matt Linehan was slated to start, while sophomore Chad Chalich would have also got significant playing time. Muschamp has been known for his defenses since his time as the defensive coordinator at Texas, so starting his collegiate career against Florida was a tall order for Linehan. Not to mention that a defense like Florida’s is a tough way to start the season when you are still experimenting on offense and at the quarterback position.
Idaho’s offense also lost last year’s starters at wide receiver and running back in Najee Lovett, Dezmon Epps and James Baker. Louisiana-Monroe is a formidable opponent, but Idaho’s young offense doesn’t have to jump right into playing a national powerhouse to start the season.
Idaho isn’t afraid of Florida, and will ideally play the Gators later in the season, but now they’ll potentially come into the game with an offense that has some much-needed experience under its belt.
Barring lightning storms in Monroe, Louisiana, the Vandals will be fresh and ready to start the season on Saturday.
Stephan Wiebe can be reached at [email protected]