After playing in seven straight games to start the season, the Vandal football team finally gets a week off.
Idaho won its first game last Saturday against New Mexico State, and some believe it’s a bad time for a bye week because of the team’s recent gain in momentum.
Idaho coach Paul Petrinio thought otherwise.
“After a lot of games in a row, I think it will be good for us to heal some guys up,” he said.
While the game resulted in victory, Idaho had a few players get banged up in the process — notably, freshman quarterback Matt Linehan.
During the first offensive series, Linehan was forced to exit the game early after he got struck in the head on a late hit from NMSU linebacker Kawe Johnson.
Linehan didn’t participate in practice this week, but Petrino said he is day-to-day until trainers tell him otherwise.
“I think he’ll be fine,” Petrino said. “Each day he’ll get better … He looks and seems like he’s doing good.”
Petrino expects Linehan will be ready for the Arkansas State game Nov. 1.
Also not participating in practice this week was senior offensive lineman Mike Marboe, junior linebacker Marc Millan and senior fullback Juan Martinez. Petrino said nobody has a serious injury and expects them to be back for the next game.
While those players sat out, sophomore defensive back Jordan Grabski made his return after he missed the majority of the season with a high ankle sprain.
With the recent departure of safety Chris Edwards, defensive back coach Ashley Ambrose said it’s good to have Grabski healthy again.
“He’s getting better and he’s moving around which is really good to see,” Ambrose said. “Jordan knows everything (on defense). It’s just been unfortunate he’s been banged up, but that’s part of football — you get the injuries or things happen, but somebody else has to step up.”
The Vandals practiced Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Petrino said practices don’t change too much compared to game weeks. In addition to players nursing injuries, he said it gives them an extra week to prepare for Arkansas State.
The coaches also get the opportunity to recruit. Petrino said most the coaches left after practice Tuesday with him and linebackers coach Eric Brown staying behind. He said after practice Wednesday, the two will join the other coaches on the recruiting trail.
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]