MOSCOW - Idaho's Silver and Gold Scrimmage, the culmination of spring practice Friday night at the Kibbie Dome, was anything but an offensive explosion.

However, with a banged-up offensive line and the Vandals still trying to figure out who their starting quarterback will be this fall, it probably wasn't going to be.

The more-experienced defense, led by senior middle linebacker Su'a Tuala and senior defensive end Benson Mayowa, got the better of things before an estimated 750 fans.

"I thought it was a good way to close it out," said Idaho coach Robb Akey, who is preparing for his sixth season with the Vandals. "The defense, they have the advantage of having multiple starters back, but still, I'm happy with the progress our offense is making."

Tuala and Mayowa each had three sacks, and Tuala had a game-high nine tackles. All told, the Vandals had 10 sacks (since coaches obviously weren't going to let the quarterbacks get hit, touching the QB was all that was necessary to stop the play).

Akey said if there was a "player of the spring," it would be Tuala.

"He really did things well," Akey said. "He's flying all over the field. He made some of the big plays this spring."

Of Mayowa, Akey said he "has a chance to be a very good pass rusher. If he'll play consistently, he can be a very good defensive end."

Mayowa said he's heard the consistency speech from Akey before.

"Every day he tells me, 'Keep your ears pinned back,'" Mayowa said. "I've just got to stay focused, and work on my consistency."

Three redshirt freshmen — defensive end Quinton Bradley, linebacker Nik Landdeck and cornerback Solomon Dixon — had interceptions.

In the controlled scrimmage, the offense started some drives at its own 25, 45, 40, the 50, as well as in opposing territory twice, at the 30 and the 20. In 17 “drives” Friday night, the offense produced one touchdown and four field goals — and two missed field goals.

Dominique Blackman, competing with fellow junior Taylor Davis for the starting quarterback job, produced the only touchdown of the night. He hooked up with junior wideout Daniel Micheletti, who beat cornerback A.J. Annelus down the right sideline and hauled in a 69-yard TD pass on the second drive of the game — and Blackman’s first.

Blackman, a left-hander who redshirted last year, finished 13 of 22 for 176 yards. Davis, who played in seven games and started three last year, was 4 of 10 for 33 yards. Blackman, Davis and senior Logan Bushnell each threw one interception.

Akey reiterated that he wasn’t ready to name a starting quarterback after spring ball.

“It hasn’t separated itself enough coming out of spring ball and I’m not going to lie to you — I had hoped that it would,” he said.

Ryan Bass, slowed last year with stomach ailments, ran strong on Friday night. The senior who transferred from Arizona State totaled 42 yards on six carries, and said he was ready to shoulder the running back load.

“I think I had a strong spring, but I can do better — and I’m going to,” Bass said. “I want the load on my shoulders ... I feel great — I’m ready to play the season right now.”

“He’s just done a great job for us,” Idaho running backs coach and offensive coordinator Jason Gesser said. “He’s more of a bouncer/slasher, and he’s starting to carry piles. I’m really pleased with how he’s played this spring. I don’t know if it’s because he understands it’s his senior year, his last go-round, and he’s getting a kick in the butt from that.”

Micheletti led the receivers with four catches for 105 yards.

Wideout Justin Veltung sat out spring ball as he recovers from turf toe, and a handful of other players were banged up this spring. Akey said all should be ready for the fall, with the possible exception of redshirt freshman tight end Jared Klingenberg, who suffered a shoulder injury in the second scrimmage last Saturday.

Idaho’s season opener is Aug. 30 at home vs. Eastern Washington.

SCORING PLAYS

Micheletti 69 pass from Blackman (Farquhar kick)

Farquhar 39 FG

Farquhar 28 FG

Farquhar 44 FG

Farquhar 17 FG

Farquhar 27 FG

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Bass 6-42, Handley 6-29, Parkins 6-11, Bushnell 4-9, Cunningham 4-6, Blackman 2-(minus 8), Washington 1-(minus 10).

PASSING — Blackman 13-22-1-176, Bushnell 4-8-1-56, Davis 4-10-1-33.

RECEIVING — Micheletti 4-105, LaGrone 3-17, McRoyal 2-34, Homme 2-28, Major 2-26, Scott 1-13, Lovett 1-12, Washington 1-5, Handley 1-2.