Practice breakdown:
Number of practices in first week: Four
Two shorts practices: March 30, March 31
Two full pads practices: April 2, April 4
Locations: SprinTurf (March 30, March 31), Kibbie Dome (April 2)
Scrimmage No. 1: April 5
Early takeaways
The defense is determined and wants to hit. Competition has been created from the defensive line to the secondary and it has shown in early drills. The defense created six turnovers in the first two practices alone, five created by the secondary.
The defensive line is deep and dominant. Maxx Forde and Quinton Bradley are safe bets to be starting at the defensive end positions when the season begins on Aug. 30.
The offensive line has struggled, but a lot of that has to do with new faces and new competition. Idaho is experimenting with combinations of different players meaning it will take some time to figure out the depth chart on the line.
Wide receiver has thoroughly impressed the first couple of practices. Converted quarterback Josh McCain has made his transition smoothly to the wide receiver position, making impressive plays the first couple of days. Deon Watson, Dezmon Epps and Jordan Pastras are players also heavily used early on.
Roberto Asencio, the walk-on from the basketball program, is making slow strides. On a 14-day tryout, the 6-foot-9 receiver is slowly working on his basic techniques. Catching the ball in 1-on-1 coverage drills have been difficult for him, but coaches have been very patient with him.
The two quarterbacks have battled back and forth, with Chalich having the better first day. But both will go into the scrimmage relatively close to each other in the battle for the top of the depth chart. Linehan tossed a pair of interceptions on his first two days. Decision making is giving Chalich the slight edge in the first week.
Kris Olugbode has taken the lead at running back, getting more carries than Jerrel Brown and Isaiah Saunders. Richard Montgomery is heavily in the mix, but he’s also been slotted out a lot at the receiver position. Though on Wednesday, Montgomery was busting big plays from the running back position.
What they said
“There were just a couple of silly things. I want the energy, I don’t want it to stop but we don’t need to be getting anybody hurt when we don’t have full pads on. That was good, I don’t think I ever had to do that last year, it was good that the energy was like that, they were flying around and getting after it, just have to keep improving.”
Paul Petrino, coach
“We need to get better in a lot of places as a defensive unit, we did give up a lot of points last year. We need to change our mentality as a defense first and foremost, we’ve done a lot of that already this year. Just attack people, be relentless, I think that mentality will help us get a little further. Also not having any mental mistakes, knowing where you’re supposed to be. Those are things we’ve been working on.”
Maxx Forde, DE
“Roberto (Asencio), he’s a basketball player who’s going to go up and get the ball. He’s never played football, we’re working with him every day just trying to get him out here and have him make the team because he’s huge and you don’t see many 6-9, 6-10 guys out there, wide receivers on the outside. If we can get him out here and have him running great routes it’d be great for this team.”
Chad Chalich, QB
“He (dad, Scott Linehan) just told me to enjoy it, because when it’s gone you just never really remember it like it was. Enjoy it now because you’re going to miss the competition. He just told me to come out here and compete and have fun. Not to press too much, just to come out here and enjoy it.”
Matt Linehan, QB