He heard from his dad before the game - and after the game.

But during the game, it was the son's moment as Matt Linehan, starting in his first college game, had a debut to remember for the Idaho Vandals in their 38-31 loss at Louisiana-Monroe last Saturday in Monroe, La.

Linehan, a redshirt freshman and son of former Vandal and current Dallas Cowboys passing game coordinator Scott Linehan, completed 26 of 37 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns, and two interceptions.

"It was really exciting," Linehan said Tuesday, as the Vandals (0-1) prepared for their home opener Saturday vs. Western Michigan (0-1). "It was a thrill to get out there with 10 guys who wanted to win just as much as I wanted to.

"There's still a lot of things we can improve upon. As long as we keep the fight in us going into the fourth quarter, we're going to start winning some ballgames."

Linehan said his father, in Texas preparing for Dallas' game vs. the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday, got to watch most of Idaho's game on Saturday on the Internet. Because of the lightning delay in Monroe, he was able to see more of the game than he normally would.

"He said he was proud of me," Matt said. "He's adapted more to a father role than a coach. He still helps me with things, but he's more concerned about supporting me."

Scott Linehan played at Idaho from 1982-86. He ranks sixth all-time at Idaho in attempts (947), completions (549), yards (7,018) and touchdown passes (45).

"He said it was a little bit different (at the Kibbie Dome when he played) with the Astroturf and the rug burns," Matt said. "He said just to enjoy the experience. It's a unique atmosphere and I think that's what makes it so special being here. I've always liked the Kibbie Dome, I've always thought it was a great place to play."

After Matt Linehan and Chad Chalich took equal reps at quarterback throughout the spring and fall, Linehan played the whole game at Monroe.

Idaho coach Paul Petrino, mindful that the Vandals needed three quarterbacks to get through last season after the first two got injured during the year, made sure to touch base after the game with Chalich, a sophomore from Coeur d'Alene High who started the first seven games at quarterback last year before being injured.

"Chad's a great kid," Petrino said. "There's no better person, he comes out there and competes every day, and gets better every day. The biggest thing, he's just got to keep improving. After the game I said, the guy that played the most snaps last year (at QB) was Taylor Davis (the third quarterback Idaho used last season). It's a long season, it's a contact sport, and we've just got to keep getting better every day."