The saying is competition brings out the best in people and redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Linehan proves that to be true.
Parker Wilson | Argonaut
The offensive line gets into stance for a practice drill Monday at the SprinTurf. The offensive line has been a point of competition during the spring.
During the second spring scrimmage last Friday in the Kibbie Dome, Chad Chalich had one of his best throws so far this spring — a 65-yard on-point to running back Richard Montgomery out of the backfield for the touchdown. But who was his biggest fan and celebrating the most? It was none other than the man trying to take his job — Linehan.
“It’s a team and we’re all teammates,” Linehan said. “I love when my teammates make a big play. I think when Chad makes a good throw and guys make good catches, I think we need to support them and encourage them.”
The two quarterbacks improved since the first scrimmage and limited their mistakes. Linehan threw the only interception on the day.
Chalich completed 18 passes on 32 attempts for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Linehan threw the ball 20 more times, completing 33 passes on 52 attempts for 401 yards and eight touchdowns.
“No question, they improved a ton,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “There was a couple of little things, that to everybody else you don’t really see, but there was a couple of checks and blitz checks that were awesome. I was really happy about that.”
When a team has as many position battles as the Vandals do, it’s good to give the players as many opportunities as possible — and that’s just what Petrino has done during the first two scrimmages.
In the 2013 season, Idaho averaged 80.8 plays per game. In the first two scrimmages this year, the Vandals have run a total of 360 plays.
“I thought there were some great things,” Petrino said of the scrimmage. “Both sides of the ball got after each other, and that’s really what you want. Overall, just walking off the field, it felt good. I thought some guys were really playing hard. You heard a lot of hitting, saw some big time plays and now we’re a lot better.”
Scoring 14 total touchdowns and racking up 1,219 yards, the offensive output continues to be impressive and seems to be getting the best of the defense.
Despite the lopsided numbers and poor defense early in the scrimmage, Petrino said he still thinks the defense made strides and improved during the scrimmage.
The defensive line received a boost this past week when Quayshawne Buckley returned to the team, after discovering he still had a year of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive tackle from Ontario, Calif., made his presence felt throughout the scrimmage. Along with his one-sack and one tackle for loss, Buckley was constantly getting pressure on the quarterback.
A problem for Idaho last season was the play of its offensive line, allowing 52 sacks on the season. While still inconsistent, they provided the quarterbacks with better protection and opened lanes for running backs.
“It’s really going to come down to whoever the five best are,” Petrino said of the offensive line competition. “There’s some really good competition right now and that’s good, makes them all get better.”
Along with rooting his competition on in practices and scrimmages, Linehan has taken a leadership role. After freshman running back Isaiah Saunders fumbled the ball, Linehan was the first player over to support the young back.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a senior or a freshman,” Linehan said. “Just be a leader by example, get these guys going when everyone is down. And I think the important thing about being the leader is, you got to have confidence in yourself and instill that confidence in others.”
The Vandals improved — no question in Linehan’s mind.
“I’m really excited about where (we’re) going right now,” Linehan said. “I think today was a statement about that.”
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]