MOSCOW - There were long drives, defensive stops, bullish runs, acrobatic catches - even the sun came out to make the University of Idaho's final football practice of the spring the Vandals' finest.

"This was the best scrimmage we had all spring," coach Robb Akey said after the 75-minute session on the practice field outdoors, during which the offense moved the ball better than it had all spring, but also one during which the defense continued to show the maturity and grit that became a trademark. "I like the fact that guys on both sides of the ball were making things happen. Offensively, we made more plays. Our defense swarmed the football very well.

"It was a good way to close things out."

Senior quarterback Brian Reader agreed - and cited a 15-play drive as the highlight of the spring for the Vandals offense.

"We got better and better as time went on," said Reader, who completed 11 of 17 passes for 93 yards and directed an offense that showed more precision and effectiveness than it had all spring.

Reader and backup Taylor Davis found reliable targets in the form of tight end Mike LaGrone (3 catches for 50 yards) and receivers Armauni Johnson (3 for 42) and Justin Veltung (3 for 23). There was more punch from the running game as well with Ryan Bass carrying 11 times for 45 yards and one TD, and Troy Vital scoring on two of his six carries.

Trey Farquhar was good on field goals of 32, 31 and 26 yards as well as all three PAT kicks.

As for the defense, senior linebacker Tre`Shawn Robinson - one of six Vandals with four tackles, had high praise for the day.

"The defense has developed immensely this spring," Robinson said. "Everybody knows what they're doing. There is no hesitation."

Defensive end Benson Mayowa was the defense's statistical leader with five tackles, which included one of six tackles for loss recorded by the unit. They also tallied four sacks, some of which were coverage sacks which brought special praise from Akey.

The downside of the otherwise quality spring finale was the still-being assessed knee injury to senior linebacker Robert Siavii.

SCORING PLAYS

Trey Farquhar FG 32

Farquhar 21 FG

Troy Vital 3 run (Farquhar kick)

Ryan Bass 15 run (Farquhar kick)

Vital 1 run (Farquhar kick)

Farquhar 26 FG

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - Bass 114-5, Vital 6-12, McCarty 4-4, Bailey 1-2, Washington 1-2, Cunningham 1-1.

PASSING - Reader 11-17-0-93, T. Davis 4-6-0-40, Blackman 1-1-0-36, Podrabsky 1-2-0-29, Bushnell 0-2-0-0.

RECEIVING - LaGrone 3-50, Johnson 3-42, Washington 2-36, Homme 1-36, Veltung 3-23, Wieting 1-8, Bass 1-6, Vital 1-5, Bailey 1-(-4), Micheletti 1-(-4).