Idaho football gave fans its first glimpse of the new and improved squad for the upcoming season.
The annual Silver and Gold spring game was a one-sided game from the start, with the gold pulling off a 70-20 win Friday night in the Kibbie Dome.
The battle rages on
The spring game consisted of the first team unit versus the second team, which may have played a factor into such the lopsided game that was called off after only three quarters of play.
Senior quarterback Mason Petrino and junior quarterback Colton Richardson played for the gold team and sophomore quarterback Nikhil Nayar led the way for the silver team.
Petrino and Richardson played near perfect games but due to skewed rules in favor of the quarterbacks, there might have been a few plays that would have been definite sacks if it was a real game.
Richardson finished 16 for 18 on 175 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Petrino finished the game passing for 307 yards and three touchdowns.
Nayar, on the other hand struggled, mightily in the first half, not finding his first completion until the final seconds of the first quarter. Nayar began to find a rhythm late in the first half and finished throwing for 94 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
It seemed Nayar still needs time to develop, as he struggled at times to look comfortable in the pocket and forced too many throws. Petrino and Richardson switched every possession, a setup Vandal fans are far too familiar with from last season. Both performed well in getting the ball downfield and leading the first team unit making it seem the two might be in a stalemate as to who will win the starting job.
Touchdowns galore
The first team unit on both ends of the ball for the gold team played phenomenal on Friday but with it being against the second unit, fans need to still be hesitant with the action they watched.
The Vandal offense could be dangerous next season with Idaho’s two dynamic receivers having amazing days on the field Friday. Sophomore Cutrell Haywood and junior Jeff Cotton combined for 28 receptions and sophomore tight end Connor Whitney finished with only four receptions, the third highest amongst all receivers.
Cotton finished with four touchdowns and 217 yards and Haywood finished with 195 yards and a score. Haywood looked impressive, gaining much of his yardage after the catch and breaking many tackles. Haywood can be a nice inside threat, with Cotton catching many passes deep downfield.
A fiery mentality
The Idaho defense just has a more intense look to them this spring compared to years past.
The gold defense shut out the silver team in the first half with playing great coverage and finishing tackles.
The new linebacker core is young, but already looks to be in good hands with strong play from junior linebacker Christian Elliss and sophomore linebacker Tre Walker.
The Idaho defense now plays with two buck rushers on opposite ends to help battle the mobile quarterbacks of the Big Sky, making the pocket collapse quicker for opposing offenses.
If the Vandal defense can carry this intensity into the fall, they could be an exciting unit to watch.
One day at a time
Overall it was a good spring game for the Vandals with many of the starting position groups performing well.
The question still lingers as to how this success will translate against the Big Sky elite. But for now it looks like great progress has been made adding more depth for the Vandals.
Idaho looks hungry to prove all the doubters wrong and plant their mark amongst the best in the Big Sky conference.
For now, Idaho fans need to wait once again to see what the Vandals have planned for in the fall.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @chris_DEREMER