Matt Linehan — football
Matt Linehan
The long-awaited first scrimmage of the spring took place Saturday for Idaho and quarterback Matt Linehan had a strong showing under center. The sophomore completed 19-of-35 passes for 239 yards on the day, with four touchdowns and one interception. He had long 20-plus yard touchdown passes to sophomore wide receiver Ruben Mwhela and junior wide receiver Jacob Sannon, along with a 45-yard touchdown bomb to senior wide receiver Dezmon Epps. Linehan also rushed nine times for 43 yards and a touchdown. After starting most of last season, Linehan made a solid case to keep his spot.
Kolcie Bates — track and field
Kolcie Bates
Sophomore thrower Kolcie Bates won the individual discus throw competition at the 10th Annual Whitworth Sam Adams Classic with a heave of 149 feet, 8 inches. The Weiser, Idaho, native had the only individual victory for Idaho at the event. Bates also threw her career-best in the hammer throw with a throw of 145-2. Idaho track and field is back in action this weekend in Cheney, Washington, in the Pelluer Invitational hosted by Eastern Washington.
Dezmon Epps — football
Dezmon Epps
After missing last year for off-field issues, speedy wide receiver Dezmon Epps is back and showed his skills at the first spring football scrimmage. Clearly being quarterback Matt Linehan’s favorite target this spring, he hauled in eight receptions for 179 yards and one touchdown in the scrimmage. His receptions and yardage totals were all team highs on the day. Epps is making the case to again be Idaho’s No. 1 receiver heading into next fall.
Quinton Bradley — football
Quinton Bradley
Senior defensive end Quinton Bradley only had four tackles in Idaho’s first spring scrimmage, but he made each one count as his tackles accounted for three tackles for loss and three sacks. His tackles for loss tied a team high with junior defensive end Kaylyn Ayers and his sacks were a team high. Bradley had 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks during the 2014 season.