Practice #9 is in the books as the Idaho Vandals are two-thirds of the way through spring football. Among the final six practices are two public scrimmages – at Lewiston April 21 (5:30 p.m.) and the Silver and Gold Game at the Kibbie Dome April 28 (6 p.m.).
 
To date, coach Paul Petrino is pleased with the progress throughout the ranks.
 
"We're really improved," said Petrino, who is charged with refilling his offensive line, replenishing the tight end position, and finding the emotional and inspiration leader to fill the void left by graduated senior Tueni Lupeamanu.
 
"We have to find guys to replace them. Guys are stepping up and doing that."
 
By the looks of things, he said, those roles are starting to form.
 
"Any time you have a four-year starter," he said, "he's going to play better but Matt's (Linehan) playing by far the best he's ever played."
 
Linehan goes into his senior season as the Most Valuable Player in Idaho's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl victory over Colorado State and with numbers that rank among the best by a quarterback in school history. Providing protection will be an offensive line that returns only senior Jordan Rose and sophomore Noah Johnson. Making impressions, however, are freshmen Conner Vrba (redshirt) and Carlos Collado (true), and part-time starter Zion Dixon – a sophomore.
 
Petrino had praise for the receiving corps, as well as the effort and energy he's seeing on the defensive side of the ball. While the Vandals need to replace Lupeamanu on the defensive front, Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year Aikeem Coleman is back along with the entire linebacking corps – juniors Kaden Elliss, Ed Hall and Tony Lashley, and sophomores Mike Linehan and Ty Graham.
 
"On defense," he said, "we know the linebackers are going to be good. The front is working hard. They guys in the secondary are flying around, playing hard and tackling well in space. They just have to keep it up."
 
Impressive in the secondary has been Denzal Brantley – a converted running back, who tied for the team tackle lead in the Vandals' first scrimmage last weekend.

Check the buttons at the right for the 2017 schedule, season tickets, RSVP information for the Vandal Reunion, and a printable roster.