Idaho football returns home Saturday after suffering back-to-back losses on the road.
The Vandals will try to take down the Southern Utah Thunderbirds for the annual homecoming game in the Kibbie Dome. This is the second time these two teams will face off in program history.
“They’re physical,” Idaho Head Coach Paul Petrino said. “It’s going to be a tough and physical game on Saturday.”
Idaho is coming off a one-point loss against Montana State a week ago and looks to shake off the loss with a win over Southern Utah.
This was Idaho’s first one-point loss since 2011 and makes it the fourth meeting between the Vandals and Montana State to be determined by one point — the most of any Idaho opponent.
After the tough loss last weekend, Petrino said he told the team the disappointment that follows a single-point loss is OK.
“It’s OK to lay it all on the line and give it every last thing you got,” Petrino said. “That locker room was full of a lot of people hurting about as bad as you can hurt, but that’s OK.”
Idaho senior wide receiver David Ungerer said he believes his team is ready to move on from last week’s loss.
“Whether it is a win or loss, you have 24 hours to really think about it and process it,” Ungerer said. “We’re on to Southern Utah now and trying to get a win on homecoming.”
There certainly is no place like home for Idaho this season, with the program’s only two wins coming from inside the Kibbie Dome.
Idaho outscored its opponents 76-17 when playing in the Kibbie this season and held opponents to an average of 8.5 points per game.
The Vandals look to continue their perfect record at home behind a boisterous crowd for the annual homecoming game.
“You can always feel the atmosphere is changing when it is homecoming,” sophomore defensive lineman Rahsaan Craw- ford said. “Personally, I just look at it being a big game because it is the next game and we have to try to get the win.”
As alumni flood back to Moscow for the annual celebration, one name may stand out above the rest to Vandal faithful — Idaho legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer.
Kramer will make his return to Moscow as the grand marshal of the 110th Annual University of Idaho Homecoming Parade, and will be at midfield for the coin toss before kickoff Saturday.
Kramer was inducted into the Hall of Fame in early August and will now celebrate with his Vandal family Saturday.
Maybe the presence of a Hall of Famer can push Idaho to pick up the win on Satur- day to end its losing streak.
The Thunderbirds enter Saturday’s battle fresh off of their first win of the season against Sacramento State. Southern Utah won the Big Sky championship last season and returns 11 All-Big Sky honorees from a year before.
“They’re (Southern Utah) a lot better than their record,” Petrino said. “They’re a good, physical team that played really well last week so we have to get ready to go to have a great game.”
The Idaho quarterback duo should be back and healthy this week, with both leaders showing development over the past few weeks.
Sophomore quarterback Colton Richardson showed his capabilities of leading the Vandal offense against Idaho State.
Junior quarterback Mason Petrino showed last week that he can also control the offense, even if he wasn’t fully healthy.
“For him to play the way that he did and play the whole game and grind it out is something you really appreciate from your quarterback,” Ungerer said.
With both quarterbacks starting to find a rhythm with in this one-two system, Idaho’s offense can finally start to find some consistency.
Ungerer, a Vandal veteran, is one target both quarterbacks should be looking for Saturday.
Ungerer is currently seven receptions away from eclipsing 100 total catches throughout his career and already has a career-high 40 receptions on the season. Ungerer will look to continue his remarkable performance this season and hopes to have a big impact Saturday against the Thunderbirds.
As always, senior running back Isaiah Saunders will once again be another key factor within this offense, continuing his stellar season as Idaho’s lead work horse.
There isn’t a better script for homecoming Saturday.
Idaho has an opportunity to get a statement win against the defending Big Sky champions in the Kibbie Dome and the Vandals will try to turn that into a reality this weekend.
Idaho will take on Southern Utah 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kibbie Dome.
Fans can stream the game on PlutoTV or follow along with @VandalNation on Twitter for live updates.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cderemer_VN