MOSCOW, Idaho – Raise The Bar is the motto for the Idaho Vandals for 2017 and if their first practice of the spring is any indication, it's already on the rise.
 
"Our goal was to get better all 15 days," coach Paul Petrino said. "We got better today."
 
From the play of remodeled senior quarterback Matt Linehan (up to 240 but faster than he was 20 pounds lighter) to the arsenal of receivers to the fiery defense, Petrino was pleased. Add in what looked to be a very minimum of mistakes for the offensive line that has just two starters back and it is clear the Vandals are reaping the added benefits of a bowl season.
 
"I didn't see any blown assignments," Petrino said. "Our effort was great. Guys were catching the ball well. Matt threw the ball really well. The defense looked like they were flying around looking fast. Until we put the pads on, we really won't know how much we're improving up front but at least we had a good assignment day."
 
Three of the players Vandal fans will recognize – and see more, were in complete agreement with their head coach.
 
"Today," Linehan said, "I felt like we hit the ground running."
 
Linehan said his new frame – the result of a conscientious training program developed by the Idaho strength and conditioning staff and diet directed by his mom, is just one reason he has high expectations for his senior season. The other is time spent studying the most minute of details of the Idaho offense.
 
"The biggest thing for me is to continue to get better mentally," he said. "I've been learning stuff since I got here. There's still stuff you can work on to perfect your craft."
 
Jacob Sannon, who has been alongside Linehan throughout their careers, said he is using the bounce from the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (he had two touchdowns among his four receptions) to launch into 2017.
 
"It really gave me a lot of confidence," he said. "Coming off that bowl season, it gave me a lot of motivation. Hopefully, this year we can step up and make those plays this year like we did last year."
 
On the ground, Isaiah Saunders gained momentum like a runaway freight train during the latter part of the 2016 season. He scored four touchdowns and gained 147 yards on 33 carries in the FIPB as he wrapped up last year averaging 112.6 yards on an average of more than 23 carries per game over the final five games of the season.
 
"We have a new thing now – Raise The Bar, not being complacent with what we did," he said. "That's what we have to do this spring, summer and fall – Raise The Bar."
 
Idaho scrimmages at the Kibbie Dome Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m.; at Lewiston's Bengal Field Friday, April 14, at 5:30 p.m., and the Silver and Gold Spring Game, Friday, April 28, at 6 p.m.