Idaho football finally had the opportunity to get some game action during the team’s first scrimmage during fall camp Saturday, Aug. 11.
There were plenty of positive takeaways from the action on Saturday, making for a very optimistic season for Idaho Vandal football.
With many notable players sitting out of the scrimmage, including senior wide receiver David Ungerer and sophomore quarterback Colton Richardson, there were many opportunities for other players to step up. Instead of panicking, offensive coordinator Kris Cinkovich said he believes situations like this only better the team.
“If you prepared your depth at this time, then you have a better chance to respond during what you may call crisis periods,” Cinkovich said. “I think today we developed some kids that will help us win games down the road.”
With Richardson sitting out, junior quarterback Mason Petrino took most of the snaps during Saturday’s scrimmage, putting on an impressive show in the process.
Starting inside the 40-yard line, Petrino finished his first drive completing both of his two passes, while having a great touchdown throw to finish things. Petrino scored again on the second drive, finding senior hybrid tight end Kaden Elliss in the end zone.
Throughout this entire scrimmage, spectators were looking at a more confident Petrino, commanding the offense down the field against an energized Vandal defense.
The Idaho defense came out of the game smoldering and fiery early on. The defense only allowed a few positive running plays, making it difficult for the running backs to find any rhythm.
“The defense got at us up front early, playing with way more emotion,” Cinkovich said.
Early on, most of the reps at running back were going to senior Isaiah Saunders and freshman Roshaun Johnson, making it seem as if this could be the new tandem that Vandal fans can expect on Saturdays.
Vandal fans should also familiarize themselves with junior running back Jack Bamis who ran with a purpose on Saturday. Bamis’s hardnosed and downhill-style of running was a pleasant surprise throughout the scrimmage.
“He (Bamis) is having the best set of days in camp than he has ever had,” Cinkovich said. “He can run the ball hard and can block. He is an explosive and ballistic athlete.”
Freshman wide receiver Cutrell Haywood made a name for himself Saturday, finishing the day with four touchdowns, two of which were incredible one-handed grabs in opposite corners of the end zone.
“Me and the coaches talk about going out there and giving 100 percent every play, every rep and keep playing with intensity,” Haywood said.
The wide receiver core looks to be very promising for the Vandals. Junior wide receivers Jeff Cotton and Josh Ellingson proved to be the go-to targets for the younger Petrino, with the addition of Haywood as a wild card for a big play threat. The chemistry between these three as well as the leadership behind Ungerer, could prove to be an explosive set of wide receivers that may compete as one of the best cores that Idaho has seen in quite some time.
The defensive side of the ball was business as usual, with much of the interior line making a strong presence as well as the tenacity of the linebacker core lead by Elliss.
While the back end of the defense looked a bit shaky throughout the scrimmage, time will tell if the defensive backs and safeties can brush off a sluggish outing.
If there were issues on the offensive side, it would come down to the play of the offensive line. Issues run blocking made things difficult for the offense to find any sort of rhythm on the ground, forcing Petrino to find yardage through the air during the day.
Optimism and excitement capture the first impressions from Saturday’s scrimmage, generating hope that Idaho’s first year back in the Big Sky is a noteworthy one.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected]