Vandals to challenge familiar Texas State team
In its first three games, the Vandal football program gave reason to believe it was about to turn the page on its losing ways — then game four happened.
Nathan Romans | Argonaut
Junior defensive back Chris Edwards accelerates toward the ball-carrier during Wednesday’s practice. Edwards had five tackles and an interception during the South Alabama game last weekend.
The improved and competitive team failed to show up last Saturday, and South Alabama took advantage in its 34-10 win over Idaho.
“I don’t know what it was, but we took a step backwards,” senior offensive lineman Mike Marboe said. “It’s frustrating, but it’s life, too. Life is all about how you respond … so we got to respond this week and play the best that we’ve played this year.”
The Vandals play Saturday in San Marcos, Texas, to take on Sun Belt Conference foe, Texas State. Fresh off a triple overtime win against Tulsa, the Bobcats come into the game with a record of 2-2.
The Vandals have played well on the road, but still haven’t been able to end of their current losing streak of 18 away games.
“How we’ve played on the road is a huge positive,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “Our guys are traveling well. They know how to do it, they know it’s a business trip … this weekend needs to be the best game we’ve played this year — and that’s what I fully expect.”
Idaho has spent its fair share of time preparing for spread offenses this season, and this week is no different.
Petrino said Texas State runs a shotgun, triple-option offense and will use the running game to maintain possession. He said the Bobcat offense uses different formations and gives opposing defenses numerous looks.
“It’s a lot of smoke and mirrors,” defensive line coach Bam Hardmon said. “Guys have to understand if they have the running back, take the running back, if you have the quarterback, take the quarterback. That’s really what it comes down to with the triple option offense.”
Nathan Romans | Argonaut
Sophomore kicker/punter Austin Rehkow attempts a field goal during practice Wednesday as Coach Paul Petrino looks on. Rehkow won the Ray Guy Award’s National Punter of the week for his performance during the South Alabama game.
Despite what the scoreboard might have read against South Alabama, Petrino said he thinks the defense improved and played well enough to win.
“Its night and day, we’re a way better team right now,” Petrino said of the team as a whole. “We still got to get on top of it and get to the point where we win games. There’s no doubt in my mind that’s going to happen — we just got to keep fighting.”
Marboe said he’s using the South Alabama game as motivation. He said it’s frustrating, and this week the team needs to respond and come back stronger.
“I think we match up well against them and I’m excited to play them,” Marboe said.
“It’s a team we’ve played the last couple of years and it’s become one of my games that I’ve had circled because we’ve lost to them the last two years, and it’s just time to beat them.”
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]