In its second scrimmage of the spring season, a dominant Idaho defensive line forced eight sacks while what seemed to be a much-improved secondary broke up four pass attempts and took an interception 37 yards for a touchdown.
Madison McCord | Argonaut Idaho quarterback Dominique Blackman attempts a pass Thursday on the SprinTurf. Blackman has competed with quarterback Taylor Davis for the starting position.
Though the spotlight remains focused on the ongoing quarterback battle, the Vandal defense could garner attention today when the team concludes its spring season with the annual Silver and Gold Scrimmage at 6 p.m. in the Kibbie Dome.
The scrimmage will feature a senior-studded defensive lineup hungry to prove its worth before a rigorous fall schedule. In addition to the return of Rob Siavii, who suffered a season-ending injury last spring, the Vandals will benefit from the senior leadership of 12 defensive players.
Experience has helped the defense progress through spring ball, defensive coordinator Mark Criner said.
“From where we are right now, from last spring to this spring I think we’re way ahead of where we are,” Criner said. “I’m excited about the depth, we have more kids returning this year in the standpoint of not necessarily guys that have started but that have had a lot of games… There are a lot of guys in there that played 20 or 30 snaps a ball game.”
In addition to last season’s regulars, a few newcomers have emerged as of late, including community college transfer Sua Tuala, a senior who saw minimal field time last fall. Tuala led the defense with seven tackles and three tackles for a loss in Saturday’s scrimmage.
Siavii on the other hand, started 30 total games for Idaho, and the Waipahu, Hawaii native was the Vandals’ leading tackler in fall 2010 before misfortune found him the ensuing spring season.
The senior looks forward to his chance at redemption and could prove to be one of the WAC’s premier linebackers come fall season.
“It feels good to back on the field with my teammates, it was kind of hard just watching them have fun and watching the action unfold,” Siavii said.
Though graduating seniors have left multiple starting spots open. On the offensive line, Siavii believes the defensive veterans are fully aware and acquainted with their roles.
“A lot of our guys are a lot of veterans right now. Out there it’s a little bit more fluent than last year so I really feel like nobody is out there thinking and making that many mistakes because we know our jobs,” Siavii said. “I feel really good about spring ball so far.”
The rivalry between the defense and offense is healthy, but that doesn’t mean the sides won’t butt heads and display their intensity during practice. Other than hard-hitting tackles and jaw-dropping juke moves, they further demonstrate their rivalry through trash-talking.
Senior cornerback Aaron Grymes confirmed that trash-talking doesn’t cease to exist, especially in preparation for the Silver and Gold Scrimmage.
“It’s already started,” Grymes said. “We’re going to bring it — it’s going to be something to watch. Hopefully everybody is there to watch.”
Though trash-talking may be a motivational influence for the players, as a defensive coordinator, Criner focuses on perfecting the fundamentals leading up to the fall season.
Criner has highlighted speed and stopping the run as his focal points this season.
“When you’ve got good speed you’re able to rush the passer more and I think we’re going to be able to do that more than where we did a year ago,” Criner said.
Experience and rivalries between them and their offensive peers may help the defense overcome during the Silver and Gold game. Either way, fans can expect that Siavii, Grymes and a core of senior defensemen will be eager to crush pads tonight.
Theo Lawson can be reached at [email protected]