The P1FCU Kibbie Dome hosted the final checkpoint of a productive spring for Idaho football on May 1, as the Vandals wrapped up 14 practices with their annual Black-Gold Spring Game. While the black team took a 21-3 win, the bigger takeaway was the progress made over the past month as Idaho continues building toward a pivotal 2026 season under head coach Thomas Ford Jr.
“We got what we needed,” Ford said afterward. “It was a successful day.”
On the very first play from scrimmage, junior college transfer running back Damonte Bias made his presence felt, ripping off a 41-yard run that set the tone for the evening. Bias capped the opening drive with 57 rushing yards, helping set up a play-action 11-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Joshua Wood to sophomore wide receiver Noah West-Baranco.
Wood, who remains firmly entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback, showed flashes of his sky-high potential throughout his four drives. While the defense generated pressure at times, he looked comfortable in the pocket, delivering clean throws and managing the offense efficiently.
That balance extended to the run game as well. Senior running back Hayden Kincheloe did what he does best, bringing a physical, downhill presence that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run late in the first half.
But if there was one clear theme that defined both the spring game and the broader spring period, it was the defense.
Idaho’s starting defensive unit controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the night, consistently limiting running lanes and forcing difficult situations for the gold team offense. Linebackers Darrell Gipson Jr. and Cruz Hepburn each recorded impactful sacks, while the defensive front repeatedly disrupted plays before they could develop.
The secondary was equally impressive. Graduate transfer from North Texas, Tyrane Stewart, stood out with tight coverage throughout the game.
“I think our guys are playing faster,” Ford said, attributing the improvement to a better understanding of responsibilities and scheme. With new systems installed on all three phases of the ball this spring, that growth was a major point of emphasis.
The Vandals’ defensive front, in particular, showed stark improvement in two key areas: pass rush and stopping the run. Both were areas of focus after last season, and both appeared significantly improved during the spring.
Offensively, the development wasn’t limited to the starting unit.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Sawyer Teeney emerged as the clear No. 2 option behind Wood for the second straight year, putting together multiple strong drives. His most notable moment came just before halftime, when he moved the offense into field goal range in under a minute. Although the drive ended in a botched snap on the kick attempt, Teeney’s command of the offense stood out.
He continued that momentum in the second half, delivering an impressive cross-body throw to sophomore receiver Marquawn McCraney. Teeney later capped a scoring drive with a touchdown pass to junior wideout Tony Harste, extending the lead to 21-3.
Further down the depth chart, freshman quarterback Blitz McCarty provided a glimpse of the future. The Denver native showcased his athleticism on the final drives of the game, using his legs to create plays and extend drives.
The Gold team’s lone points came on a 52-yard field goal from Cameron Pope, finishing off a drive led by sophomore quarterback Holden Bea. Though opportunities were limited, the drive highlighted the competitive depth Idaho has built across multiple position groups.
“It’s about development,” Ford said. “Getting those guys on film, getting them opportunities to improve.”
Beyond individual performances, the broader takeaway from the spring was the team’s growing understanding of its identity.
After an up-and-down 2025 season, Idaho entered the spring with clear goals: improve physicality, adapt to new schemes and build a more complete team. By Ford’s assessment, the Vandals made meaningful progress in all three areas.
The combination of a strong returning run game and improved defensive playmaking, Idaho appears to be trending toward a more balanced and dynamic roster.