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 Vandal true freshman receiver, Preston Davis, runs up the sideline during practice Wenesday afternoon in the Kibbie Dome. Davis, from Las Vegas, had an impressive outing with six receptions for 77 yards, 19 yards rushing and two touchdowns last Saturday against Fresno St. Nick Groff/Argonaut
The Vandals showed progress last week against Fresno State but came away with a loss. Now it’s time for the Vandals to keep up the attitude that led to fourth quarter contention and translate it into a win against Louisiana Tech.
Week after week and loss after loss, Idaho coach Robb Akey and the Vandals have been optimistic about the direction the program is heading.
When the Vandals took the field against Fresno state, fans caught a glimpse of the vision Akey has for the team, and finally got to watch the Vandals compete until the end.
“I liked the energy that they played with, I liked the fact that they went out and played football all night,” Akey said. “When the score kind of changed and it was going the wrong way, I didn’t see a let down from the players, I didn’t see that funk or the disappointment set in.”
Not playing a complete game is something the young team has struggled with this season and Akey said although they haven’t turned a corner, they did take a huge step forward.
“The fact of the matter is though, we didn’t win the game,” Akey said. “I feel like we’re a lot closer now than we were a week ago at this point in time.”
Akey said the growth is good but it’s time to convert it into a win.
Now the question is can the Vandals carry their intensity through this week’s practice and show up in Louisiana Saturday ready to compete for 60 minutes. It is a feat that linebacker Jo Jo Dickson said won’t be a problem.
“Now that they know how it feels to be a team and play as a unit I don’t think they can get enough of it,” Dickson said. “I definitely have faith that the players are ready to take it to that next level.”
Taking it to the next level is exactly what Vandal fans saw out of the freshman wide receiver Preston Davis last week. Davis made two catches in the end zone against the Bulldogs and said although it’s nice to get some recognition, it’s his job and it’s what he practices for each week.
Davis’ second catch was a dive into the end zone, and while it may have looked like an ESPN highlight, he said he was tired from the previous play and should have gotten to the ball sooner.
“(Nathan Enderle) put it where I should have been so I had to make up for it,” Davis said.
He said what was important to him was showing his team that they can rely on him to make the catch, and the team showing the fans they really have progressed this season.
“Just looking back from when I started at Arizona until now, I feel like it’s been like a stepping game, like I’ve been getting a little better here and there,” Davis said. “But I feel the same way about our offense. We kind of took a step back against San Diego, but we progressively get better and better.”
The Vandals will get a chance to prove their performance against Fresno State wasn’t a mistake when they take on La Tech who is 2-3 for the season and 0-2 in conference play.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
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