Fall scrimmage No. 1 is in the books, and much has been learned. Both for us, and for the coaches I am sure. Idaho went for just over two hours at the SprinTurf, clocking well over 100 plays and getting into the endzone 10 times.
The highlights included performances from cornerback Solomon Dixon, quarterback Chad Chalich, running back Richard Montgomery, wide receiver Dezmon Epps and defensive end Quinton Bradley.
Chalich led all quarterbacks on the day with four touchdowns, two of them with his feet, going 14-for-27 for 171 yards to go with his 47 rushing yards. The offense as a whole got off to a slow start, being held out of the endzone for the first six drives with the defensive front seven dominating the line of scrimmage. That was before Chalich stood in the pocket taking a shot from Bradley as he delivered a strike to Epps for a 10-yard touchdown on the seventh drive of the day. From there the offense was able to get going with each of the four quarterbacks orchestrating at least one touchdown drive.
If there’s movement in the quarterback depth chart today it’s Chalich who did himself the biggest favor.
“I’ll watch it on tape but just walking off the field I think Chad (Chalich) had a real good day, felt like it anyway,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said.) I think as the day went on, that last series Josh (McCain) played well. I think early on he’s still not really sure what he’s doing all the time. I thought Taylor (Davis) did some things and had a couple of nice plays.”
McCain struggled early on, missing on throws and a couple times getting pulled mid-drive. He settled in and led the offense on a touchdown drive late in the scrimmage.
“…There were a couple plays that was some pretty simple stuff and he needed to know where to get the ball quicker and get the ball there quicker instead of always running,” Petrino said of McCain. “There’s a couple times he had some guys wide open quick and he just has to get the ball out of his hands and make that throw. But he finished on a real good series. He went right down the field, executed on those plays and did well so that’s what he’s got to build on.”
Taylor Davis may be an underdog in the race, but he certainly didn’t hurt himself on Saturday. Davis stood in the pocket and made good throws down the field, including a 37-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline to Deon Watson. Davis finished with two touchdowns and 88 yards, and even made some decent runs while operating the read-option.
Quinton Bradley dominates up-front
It wasn’t until last winter, shortly after the new coaching staff got onto campus, that Quinton Bradley had his moment of realization. He had an attitude problem, he said, and it wasn’t until he was called out on it that he knew he had to change his mindset.
“I think after our early morning winter workouts, after I got chewed out a couple times for not doing the right things, after that I bought into it, because I wanted to be a part of this team and I knew if I wanted to be a part of it and if I wanted a starting spot I had to work,” Bradley said.
Expecting to be a starter last season, he spent most of the 2012 campaign in reserve behind now-Seattle Seahawk Benson Mayowa. He bided his time, and now Petrino thinks he has a mainstay pass-rusher who will make a difference.
“I had a lot of mental problems as my attitude. I had to get my mind right, focus more. Just try to buy in to what the new system is because it’s a lot to take in. If you’re coming in and not used to working that hard, you’re not going to make it. So it’s a process, day by day, step by step,” Bradley said.
Bradley had four tackles for loss on Saturday, two of them sacks, and was constantly giving the left side of the offensive line fits.
“He’s just a really good player, I told him (when) I’d only been here about a month ‘if you just trust us and work your butt off you could play football for a really long time’ so hopefully that will happen,” Petrino said.
The defensive line as a whole controlled the line-of-scrimmage on Saturday, amassing 11 sacks and constantly harassing the quarterbacks during the live-tackling scrimmage. Even on completed passes the quarterbacks were aware of the presence of the defensive line, as demonstrated during Chalich’s first touchdown pass when Bradley flattened him right after he made the throw.
Speed on display
The trenches was dominated by the guys in black jerseys, but on the edges it was the guys in white jerseys who controlled the pace of the scrimmage at the skill positions, Petrino said. True freshman running back Richard Montgomery and junior college transfer wide-receiver Dezmon Epps led their respective positions, making their speed evident.
Montgomery rushed for 93-yards on 10 carries thanks to an impressive display of lower-body strength and speed on a 45-yard touchdown run off left tackle that ended the first half. His opportunity came because of injuries to Kris Olugbode and James Baker, keeping them out of Saturday’s action. Jerrell Brown was the featured back with 25 carries on the day, with Montgomery spelling him.
“Brown toughed it out, he’s a little dinged up. But (number) four (Montgomery) is the stud today, they better get healthy, they better compete or they’re going to watch four make a bunch of plays,” Petrino said.
Epps finished with 151 yards on 10 receptions, often finding himself in the endzone leading all receivers with three scores. Epps loved to talk about his speed and how hard he’s worked to get familiar with the playbook. He came in last week not knowing any of the playbook, but as of Saturday was 80-percent up to speed he said.
How fast does the speedster run?
“I’ve been clocked at 4.3 (second forty-yard dash). I’m off and on with a low 4.3, might run a 4.4 on an off day,” he said.
Other thoughts and observations:
– The first team offensive line struggled, but was sans two starters. Strong tackle Jesse Davis didn’t suit up due to a concussion, Petrino said. Left guard Dallas Sandberg was pulled from the scrimmage early after getting hurt. Calvin White filled in at strong tackle, with Larry Dugan taking snaps at right guard.
– The second team offensive line wasn’t much better. The two notable players there are Spencer Beale at center and true freshman Nick Edenfield at right tackle.
– Kicking needs some work. Freshmen Austin Rehkow and Ryan Bordner struggled with PATs, even, with Rehkow even having to re-take a 23-yard field goal early in the scrimmage. Should be noted he also connected on a 44-yarder with ease early on as well.
– The defensive line as a whole was dominant. Not just Bradley, but also Maxx Forde, Ryan Edwards and Vince Keener. Keener particularly did an impressive job pushing the pocket from his defensive tackle spot and looks like he’s able to show some real versatility. Keener led all linemen with thee sacks. The first team line looks like it will rotate players, with Marius Burgsmueller and Quayshawne Buckley rotating in the most.
– The secondary had its impressive moments. Sophomore Solomon Dixon was solid with man-to-man coverage. Delency Parham looks like he’s broken in with the first team as well. Keep an eye on freshman Jordan Grabski, who earned some reps with the first team also. He made a good read on his interception off freshman Matt Linehan.
– Freshmen are getting a real look at receiver. Deon Watson finished with five catches and two touchdowns. Trent Cowan only caught one pass but was often on the field.
That’s all I have for now, but stay tuned tomorrow for video.