Vandals open Big Sky play today at UC Davis

By MARK NELKE

Sports editor

Paul Petrino has known all week who is starting at quarterback for the Idaho Vandals, who open Big Sky Conference play today at UC Davis.

He's just not letting the media — or today's opponent — know.

"We’re going to wait and let them find that out when the game starts," Petrino said earlier this week. "I know and we know, but I don’t think UC Davis needs to know until the game starts. We don’t know who their starting quarterback is, either."

So the starting QB today for Idaho (1-2) will be either senior Mike Beaudry, who started the last two games, or freshman CJ Jordan, who played quite a bit in the season opener vs. Simon Fraser.

Beaudry is more of a pass-first QB, Jordan more of a run-first guy.

Petrino said both QBs were getting reps in practice this week, with the starter, obviously, getting more of the reps.

And yes, there's also a package available for Idaho's third quarterback, Zach Borisch, a converted running back who started the season opener, but hasn't played much since.

UC Davis (4-0) is ranked eighth in FCS, and is 1-0 in the Big Sky after winning 17-14 at Weber State last week.

The Aggies will start either Hunter Rodrigues (six TD passes) or Miles Hastings.

Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (361 yards, four TDs, 4.8 yards per carry) is Davis' top rusher.

Petrino said UC Davis is tough to move the ball against on defense.

How tough?

"They’re aggressive, they hold you," Petrino said of the UC Davis secodary. "We have to be physical. If they’re in doubt, they’re going to hold you, tackle you, pull you down. That’s kinda their style. They play a ton of man, and they hold a lot, so we have to be really physical, and don’t let them do that."

Petrino said there's a good chance that four starters who missed the Oregon State game because of injury — defensive lineman Noah Elliss, wide receiver Hayden Hatten, tight end Connor Whitney and running back Roshaun Johnson — could be back today.

Petrino noted that Idaho was missing nine starters for last season's matchup with UC Davis — which was actually this spring, because of COVID-19 — and led going into the fourth quarter before losing.

"Three of our first four league games are against top-10 (FCS) opponents," Petrino said. "We look forward to this game, we’ve been planning for them for a long time."