Running Back Kris Olugbode gets wrapped up by the Vandal defensive line during Wednesday’s practice on the SprinTurf. Idaho’s d-line will have its hands full Saturday, facing a North Texas offensive line that allowed a nation-leading six sacks last season.
After Wednesday’s practice, Vandal Nation caught up with defensive end Quinton Bradley and coach Paul Petrino to talk about how the team is preparing for the season-opener against North Texas.
Bradley was asked about how the game-week preparation this year differs from that of last year.
“We still feel like we’re in fall camp,” Bradley said. “You know, nothing has changed. The pace hasn’t changed, so we are still going hard every day. It’s a mental battle so you just have to keep battling out here and you’re going to be ready on Saturday.”
Bradley, a native of San Antonio, also expressed his happiness about playing in his home state of Texas and in front of family.
“I’m happy because my mom gets to come and see me play,” he said.
To be successful, Bradley said the line needs to read its opponent’s keys. If they can achieve that, the North Texas offense might not be as challenging to figure out. The Mean Green jet sweep is something that the defense was exposed to Wednesday but with how the Vandal scout team mimicked it during practice, the line, according to Bradley, is fully prepared.
Petrino talked about what the team has to do to be successful against North Texas.
“Like any game, we’ve got to be physical. We’ve got to out hit them, out hustle them, and we’ve got to punish them every play,” Petrino said.
The Vandal coach also noted that the team will emphasize hitting the quarterback and stopping the run.