Competitive final scrimmage for Vandals helps build the depth chart

Aug. 20—MOSCOW — On the Idaho Vandals' last day of fall football camp, the offense and defense played in a scrimmage on Tuesday night at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. The defense set the tone from the first series with a pick-6 from senior defensive back Deuce Blenman and did not let up often.

The scrimmage was physical and fast-paced. During the two-hour affair, the defensive unit consistently outperformed the offense, racking up third down stops, forcing turnovers and showing why the defense can be dangerous 11 days before the opening kickoff against Washington State at 7 p.m. on Aug. 30.

The starters did not play much on Tuesday night and Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. said that the Vandals are trying to build from the bottom up.

"I felt like the guys finished on a high note," Ford said. "We played a lot of our younger players today to get them a bunch of experience running our calls in our system because a lot of those guys now will be moving into scout teams. But we want to make sure that we're really developing from the bottom up, because again, we're only as good as our basement."

Defensive showcase

In the first series of the scrimmage, sophomore quarterback Joshua Wood was slowly moving the offense down the field when he was promptly sacked by junior defensive lineman Mitchel Jaskowiak.

On the next play, Wood dropped back into the pocket and had a good amount of time; he just made an unfortunate decision on where to throw the ball.

Wood lobbed the ball up to sophomore wide receiver Emmerson Cortez-Menjivar on a longer corner route, but he underthrew the ball. Blenman jumped at the ball and proceeded to take it back to the end zone for a defensive touchdown.

On the next series, freshman quarterback Sawyer Teeney threw a pass to freshman tight end Mason Culmer, who was immediately hit by a linebacker and fumbled the ball only for it to be scooped up by the defense.

The third turnover happened when Teeney took a drop back from under the center in a simple five-step drop and threw a pass to the left middle of the field targeting redshirt freshman wide receiver Trenton Swanson only for redshirt freshman safety Trenton Fisher to intercept the pass.

Defensive coordinator Cort Dennison said that converting takeaways is one of the most important things on defense.

"It's something you always have to emphasize," Dennison said. "I think the biggest stat in football is turnover margin. I don't ever like talking about 'We need three turnovers or four turnovers.' We always need plus one. ... And oftentimes, if you do that, you win over 88% of your games."

Dennison said whether it is interceptions, fumble recoveries or fighting for the ball, that is a key attribute of this Idaho defense.

Offensive rhythm

The starting offensive unit played just two series in the scrimmage. The first series ended in the pick-6 and the second ended in a touchdown.

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On the starting offense's second series, Wood found sophomore receiver Tony Harste multiple times for quick medium gains. Sophomore running back Art Williams also broke a big run for nearly 20 yards.

The Vandal offense found itself at the 7-yard line.

An option play was called and Wood decided to keep it and scampered into the end zone, avoiding a few defenders and scoring.

Wood said from the start of camp that he has felt comfortable in the offense. He said the chemistry he's been able to build with his teammates has been important. He gave credit to the offensive line as the key to the offense's success.

"Definitely because of my O-line," Wood said. "They're the ones protecting me. So them being the ones protecting me, I trust them to the fullest. I have great confidence in them. They have great confidence in me, and I feel like that's why I've been just so comfortable."

Teeney has cemented himself as the backup quarterback. Ford said that Teeney is the official quarterback No. 2. Teeney played most of the snaps for the offense at Tuesday night's scrimmage

He looked comfortable making the intermediate throws as well. He did have a few mistakes, including one interception, but has set himself apart from Nick Josifek, Jack Wagner and Holden Bea as someone who can run the offense efficiently.

Teeney found junior tight end Chance Bogan on quick out routes four or five times during the scrimmage.

On the final snap of the scrimmage, Bea stepped up in the pocket, avoided defenders and took the ball for a house call on a 46-yard rushing touchdown.

Looking forward

The Idaho Vandals will kick off against the Washington State Cougars in 10 days in Pullman.

The Vandals have been healthy throughout fall camp. Ford said that strength coach Jamel Cooper has done a great job of keeping the team healthy and said there are some soft tissue issues with some players but he said there are no significant injuries that will keep players out in Week 1.

Ford said the team is excited for the matchup and is ready to face a challenge in a Football Bowl Subdivision school.

"I think anytime you can play a road game that's like eight miles down the road, you're excited," Ford said. "I know our kids love playing FBS opponents because we have players on our team that could play for FBS programs. And so I think the opportunity to compete with an FBS program right down the road is right up our alley."

Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @TrevorJunt.