If it was not for the losses to New Mexico State and South Alabama on the road, in which the Idaho football team had huge leads but couldn’t seal the deal, the Vandals could still be practicing for a bowl game with a 6-6 record.
Instead, Idaho finished the season 4-8, ending with a thrilling Senior Day win Saturday against Texas State in the Kibbie Dome.
A 4-8 season might not be something to celebrate for some college football teams, but the Vandals should be very excited about their progress this season. Idaho won one game each of the last three seasons so a three-win improvement is a huge step forward.
The Vandals are only going to continue to move forward in the next couple years. Six wins or more is within reach next season given the small senior class that was honored Saturday and the key players returning.
Idaho will lose three senior offensive starters, and all three will be greatly missed. Guard Dallas Sandberg, fullback Jake Manley and running back Elijhaa Penny no longer have eligibility. Sandberg and Manley helped open holes for Penny, who rushed for 1,159 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. When those holes did not open, Penny made his own.
Penny also proved to be a reliable receiver out of the backfield. He finished the season with 27 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Right now, Aaron Duckworth, who will be a junior next season, is the next man in line to take the bulk of the carries.
It’s always a great thing to have a returning starting quarterback. Matt Linehan will enter his junior season and with two seasons under his belt, and is sure to improve by next season. In 11 games this season, Linehan completed 63.1 percent of his passes and threw for 2,972 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
The tight ends and wide receivers will be a fun group to watch next fall.
Idaho coach Paul Petrino expected Jacob Sannon and David Ungerer to be two of the top three receivers for the Vandals entering the season, but both missed significant time with injuries. Callen Hightower proved he can be a No. 1 receiver next year and tight end Trent Cowan proved he is a threat down the seams. Deon Watson, who transitioned from tight end to receiver as the season progressed, led the team with seven receiving touchdowns.
Rueben Mwehla and Jante Boston stepped in for Sannon and Ungerer and will add depth to the receiving corps and possibly grab one of the starting receiver spots next season.
On the defensive side, defensive end Quinton Bradley will be one of the biggest losses, if not the biggest. The senior from San Antonio racked up 54 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks on the season.
The Vandals will lose more depth on the defensive line with Kaylyn Ayers and Ryan Edwards departing.
Idaho will lose four out of its five leading tacklers. Linebacker Broc Westlake led the team with 87 tackles, linebacker Marc Millan finished third with 63, linebacker and safety Chris Edwards finished fourth with 62 and Bradley finished fifth.
Freshman linebacker Kaden Elliss, who finished second on the team with 83 tackles, should return.
The Vandals will lose many valuable players, but should bring back enough solid talent to have the opportunity to play in a bowl game next season.
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected]