Vandals kick off spring ball
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 1 hour, 57 minutes AGO
IDAHO ATHLETICS Idaho players listen as Dom Anderson, the new defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, gives instruction at the Vandals' first spring football practice Tuesday morning at the East Practice Field in Moscow.
IDAHO ATHLETICS Idaho football coach Thomas Ford Jr. awards the battle axe to graduate student defensive back Tyrane Stewart after the Vandals' first spring football practice Tuesday morning in Moscow.
From news services
MOSCOW — On a crisp Tuesday morning on the East Practice Field outside the P1FCU Kibbie Dome, Idaho football got the spring practice slate underway, kicking off the first of the 15 opportunities the team will get to strap on helmets and play organized football for the first time since November.
Though the pads have yet to come on and the sun had yet to come up, the energy was palpable on the turf as the Vandals ran through position and team drills with new coordinators at all three phases of the game.
“It was amazing just to be playing football again,” second-year Idaho head coach Thomas Ford said after practice. “I think the guys have done a really good job of learning and understanding the new schemes, getting some of the nuance started, but being able to get some work was pretty awesome.”
First-year offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker got his first opportunity to see an offense loaded with returning experience, including starting quarterback Joshua Wood, receivers Tony Harste, Marquawn McCraney and Nolan McWilliams, running back Carlos Matheney, and four of five starting offensive linemen.
Defensive coordinator Lee Stalker led the charge across the line of scrimmage, taking advantage of returners such as Cruz Hepburn, Tim Jackson, and Titus Ringor.
Special teams coordinator Joe Begnal inherited a lot of familiarity in the kicking game with the likes of Dylan Fischer, Cameron Pope, Owen Forsman (from Lakeland High), and Owen Adams all returning with playing time under their belts.
A handful of newcomers made some big plays in the first spring practice of the year. Ferrari Miller is slated to receive a lot of carries going forward as part of a stable of running backs needing to fill the departure of Eli Cummings.
Defensive back Tyrane Stewart was named the first winner of the battle axe of the year, earning props from his head coach in the process.
“Tyrane did a great job today," Ford said. "He got beat on a play, came back the very next [rep], and made three plays in a row. That’s what we’re looking for in terms of effort, and that’s why he got the axe today.”
The Vandals are scheduled to return to action Thursday at 6 a.m. in the Kibbie Dome.
All spring practices are open to the public.
IDAHO ATHLETICS Idaho football coach Thomas Ford Jr. awards the battle axe to graduate student defensive back Tyrane Stewart after the Vandals' first spring football practice Tuesday morning in Moscow.