After a disappointing loss on the road last week, Idaho football looks to get its first Big Sky win at home Saturday.
With high expectations coming into the season, it has certainly been a roller-coaster start of the season for the Vandals.
Idaho (1-2, BSC 0-1) hopes to start a momentum shift with a big game against Portland State in the Kibbie Dome.
Idaho Head Coach Paul Petrino said now is the time to hit the reset button and get the season back on track.
“I told the team on Sunday that we are going to grade every single thing on effort,” Petrino said. “Whoever has the best effort is going to start — at all positions.”
Idaho allowed over 500 yards of total offense last Saturday to an Aggie team that may have one of the best offenses in the FCS. While the Vikings average around 270 yards of total offense, Idaho shouldn’t take any game lightly from this point out.
The loss Saturday left Idaho searching for better effort across every position, and Petrino is looking for ways to
deal with one of his toughest losses.
“It was disappointing,” Petrino said. “To be honest, I don’t remember too many games that I have been here that we have had that poor of effort.”
Injury struck Idaho sophomore quarterback Colton Richardson last Saturday, leaving junior quarterback Mason Petrino to receive most of the snaps. Petrino said he expects Richardson to be OK and both will be ready to play Saturday.
Senior running back Isaiah Saunders will look to have another great day rushing after accounting for over 100 yards last Saturday. Against a physical team like Portland State, some downhill running by the Vandals could help tire the Viking defense and keep the Idaho offense on the field longer.
The Vikings come into Saturday with a 1-3 record and have experienced a tough season as well. Portland State quarterback Davis Alexander looks to be the ultimate dual-threat, leading the Vikings in rushing and passing.
If Idaho wants a chance to win, containing Alexander in all facets of his game will be crucial.
Idaho sophomore linebacker Christian Elliss knows the defense has to step up Saturday.
“We’re going to have to come out and play hard, run to the ball, and have a little bit of swagger,” Elliss said.
It seems like every game this year is Idaho’s most important of the season, but with two losses already and the midway point of the year quickly approaching, the Vandals need to find a victory in the Kibbie on Saturday.
Idaho is looking for its first Big Sky win in nearly 22 years in its return to the conference, and the Vandals look to have some work to do against a hungry and gritty Port-land State team.
Idaho will play the Portland State Vikings 2 p.m. Sept.29 in the Kibbie Dome.
Check back with Vandal Nation Saturday night for full game coverage.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected]