Technically it’s not game week until next week. But Idaho coach Paul Petrino doesn’t care much for time-frame technicalities. Game week begun last Saturday during the second fall scrimmage and continues on into practice this week. Operating the scout team defense against the first team offense and vise versa, Idaho was out on the SprinTurf early Tuesday morning implementing what they wanted to do against North Texas.
Later in the practice, when the defense was getting in work against the scout team offense, most of the team followed Paul Petrino into the Kibbie Dome for an undisclosed reason before coming back out to finish practice. All we can assume is that it’s certainly North Texas related business.
“Now you’re really focusing in on exactly the tendencies North Texas has. So when they line up in this formation, they’re going to run these plays,” Petrino said. “When they line up in this front it’s going to be this coverage. It’s really trying to understand exactly what they do, what their tendencies are. Still have to get better and better on technique and fundamentals.”
While some players are obviously getting more reps than others Petrino has been coy about revealing starters and the players who will see the field most on Aug. 31, but he did say that as game preparation begins that it’s easier for him to evaluate which players he will want on the field.
“The skill guys it is a little bit easier to see how you’re going to use them, and how you’re going to move them around,” Petrino said. “Overall for the top 11 spots they’re all still competing. There ain’t a spot that’s solid yet…First year no one better get too comfortable, they’ll all be battling all year long.”
The offense had the boost of returning a starter on the offensive line along with depth at running back. Running back Kris Olugbode returned to action along with weak guard Dallas Sandberg returning to the line.
Idaho is still waiting for safety Trey Williams’ return to the secondary.
I also caught up with defensive coordinator Ronnie Lee about the performance of his unit last Saturday and their progression toward Aug. 31. Here are his comments:
On what happened with the secondary giving up big plays during the scrimmage: “It has to do with all eleven men that are executing the defensive call, it’s not just one, it’s all eleven. All eleven combine to make a play.”
On the depth of the defensive front seven and if we could see some 3-4 looks from Idaho this year: “I like our depth at the D-line, you want to keep them going , every play they’re in, full speed to the ball. We’ve got the depth where we can keeps guys active and going every play they’re in.”
“Our looks are going to be based on what the offense is doing, based on our personnel. We can be in base, we can be in nickel, it’s based on what the offense personnel is giving us and the type of players they’re running.”
On freshman safety Jordan Grabski getting a lot of reps: “He’s a student of the game. Jordan is a student of the game. We haven’t denoted any starters yet, we’re still working, seeing who gels together the best in the back end.”
On senior safety Trey Williams’ role when he returns: “He was a leader in the spring and I expect him to be a leader when he gets back on the field.”
That’s all for Tuesday