From news services

MOSCOW - Scrimmage No. 2 is only hours away for the University of Idaho football team and coach Paul Petrino heads into it with a good feeling after the first scrimmage last weekend and two solid practices in the books this week.

"I just want to see great execution," Petrino said, "guys flying around; playing hard."

Today's scrimmage is at 4 p.m. at the Kibbie Dome.

Position battles are being waged virtually across the board. With that in mind, Petrino challenged the players to individually start doing things to separate themselves and being writing the depth chart.

"We've had a good spring so far," he said. "They have to make sure they understand exactly what they're doing. We just have to keep improving, getting better."

As much as Petrino praised the progress of the team, he applauded the effort he has seen on the field so far during spring drills.

"It will good to see everyone flying around and playing hard like they did last week but improve," he said of his expectations for today. "This will be two scrimmages in the books so we'll start getting some depth charts going."

One of the most visible contests continues between sophomore Chad Chalich and redshirt freshman Matt Linehan at quarterback.

Joshua McCain turned his attention to receiver after playing quarterback his entire football career and has added another element to an already intense competition among a group of talented returners. The offensive line competition has been infused with the addition to junior college transfers Jeff Travillion and Kato Fawkes, who add size, athleticism and experience to a group that already includes nine players with starting experience.

Junior college transfers Daniel Peterson and Irving Steele are added competitors in the linebacking corps that includes returners Marc Millan, Juan Martinez, Broc Westlake and Eric Tuipulotu. The defensive line has new faces to challenge veterans Maxx Forde and Quinton Bradley at the ends, and Ryan Edwards and QuayShawne Buckley at the tackles. An infusion of speed and size into the secondary will help bolster that unit.

The Vandals have the weekend off before practicing at 4 p.m. next Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the third scrimmage set for April 19 at 10 a.m.