The weather may not quite be warm yet, but football season is already heating up.
Jonah Baker
The Vandals began spring practice March 26 and the spring program will continue through the Silver and Gold Spring Game April 27. It is the first action for the Vandals as a team since the end of last season, and Head Coach Paul Petrino and company are getting ready for the team’s Big Sky action this upcoming fall.
The big story coming into this year’s camp lies at the quarterback position. For the first time since the 2013 season, Idaho will be looking for a new starter under center to replace four-year starter Matt Linehan. Sophomore Colton Richardson and junior Mason Petrino handled most of the first team reps so far, with redshirt freshman Dylan Lemle coming in to spell them.
“It’s been a great competition so far,” Coach Petrino said after Monday’s practice. “Our goal is to make sure each of them get better every day. We’ve tried to run some scripts that put them in tougher positions and they have each performed pretty well in those situations.”
Both Richardson and Petrino saw playing time toward the end of last season. Petrino finished last season with three touchdowns and two interceptions before getting injured in Idaho’s penultimate game against New Mexico State. Richardson was originally slated to redshirt for the 2017 season, but he was forced into action after Petrino’s injury and threw two touchdowns and a pick in close to two games.
“They both have a lot of things they do really well,” coach Petrino said. “Colton really gets the ball out of his hands quick and he’s really improving on play action. Mason moves in the pocket really well and does a good job of throwing the fade. Dylan has really improved his understanding of the offense and he’s got a strong arm, we just need to work on his accuracy.”
Coach Petrino stated that he will not declare a starter in spring practice.
“Colton and Mason definitely have a leg up on Dylan, but I’ve told them our goal is to get them all ready enough that they could all win a game for us,” coach Petrino said.
Each quarterback brings a different skill set to the table. Listed at 6-foot-4 254 lbs, Richardson is a strong-armed pocket passer with enough size to be durable and absorb hits when necessary. Petrino is smaller but much more mobile, and he took reps at wide receiver throughout last season in addition to his time under center.
“Being in the wide receiver room all of last year helped me build a rapport with the guys, and I definitely bring a competitive nature to the field,” Petrino said. “We’re all growing together and bringing that competition and getting better every day.”
The Vandals will continue to practice until the spring game, and the fall season will open at Fresno State Sep. 1.
Jonah Baker can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @jonahpbaker