Indiana Football Week 2: Meet the Idaho Vandals

Indiana will look to construct on its 1-0 begin to the 2022 season on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. ET in opposition to the Idaho Vandals.

The Hoosiers’ season-opening win was led by a game-winning drive by new beginning quarterback Connor Bazelak, in addition to 4 takeaways by the Indiana protection. Regardless of the victory, Indiana coach Tom Allen acknowledged the Hoosiers’ struggles in Week 1, particularly the run sport, offensive line play and 23 missed tackles.

“Simply received to get higher,” Allen mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s a complete lot extra gratifying correcting these points after an enormous convention win to begin the season.”

For the second consecutive season, Indiana will host Idaho. Final 12 months, the Hoosiers gained this matchup 56-14, however there are many new faces on the Idaho roster in 2022. Let’s meet Indiana’s Week 2 opponent, the Idaho Vandals.

Week 1 Recap

Idaho began its 2022 marketing campaign with a street journey to Pullman, Wash. to tackle the Washington State Cougars of the Pac-12. The Vandals entered this sport as 28.5-point underdogs, however proved to be no simple pushover.

Washington State approached the crimson zone on the opening drive, however operating again Jaylen Jenkins fumbled the ball after crossing the first-down marker. Idaho was unable to capitalize on this turnover, however the Vandals compelled one other fumble on the next Washington State drive. And this time, defensive again Marcus Harris took it to the home for a 45-yard scoop-and-score landing to take the lead.

The primary quarter concluded with Idaho on high 10-0, however Washington State rallied to tie the sport at 10 at halftime. The Idaho offense struggled mightily all through a lot of the second half, punting 5 occasions and failing to transform on fourth down twice in its first seven possessions. 

Washington State scored 24 unanswered factors to take a 14-point lead, however Idaho quarterback Gevani McCoy led a landing drive with six minutes remaining to maintain the Vandals within the sport. Idaho drove all the best way to the Washington State 28-yard line with an opportunity to tie the sport and drive additional time, however McCoy threw an interception with 12 seconds remaining. 

Offensive Leaders

Quarterback Gevani McCoy is in his second season at Idaho after beginning a pair of video games for the Vandals as a real freshman. In 2021, McCoy accomplished 15-of-32 passes for 205 yards, one landing and 4 interceptions. Idaho misplaced 71-21 at Japanese Washington in McCoy’s debut and fell 34-14 the next week in opposition to Montana.

Within the Week 1 loss to Washington State, McCoy accomplished 21-of-32 makes an attempt for 212 yards, one landing and two interceptions. McCoy is a 6-foot, 175-pound redshirt freshman from Baldwin Hills, Calif.

The Vandals gave 9 carries to each Anthony Woods and Roshaun Johnson final week. Woods went for 50 yards in comparison with Johnson’s 19, and Aundre Carter added 4 carries for 14 yards. Woods is a real freshman, and Johnson is a sixth-year senior who carried the ball 91 occasions for 444 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021.

McCoy’s go-to receiver in Week 1 was Jermaine Jackson, a 5-foot-7, 165-pound redshirt junior. Jackson hauled in six passes for 113 yards final week, and joined Idaho in 2021 after two seasons on the School of San Mateo. True freshman receiver Jordan Dwyer scored the Vandals’ lone offensive landing in opposition to Washington State, and Hayden Hatten was second on the workforce with 5 receptions. 

Defensive Leaders

Idaho saved issues shut in opposition to Washington State due to three takeaways. Marcus Harris’ scoop-and-score landing gave the Vandals a 7-0 lead within the first quarter, and Malakai Williams and Devante Keys recovered the opposite two fumbles. 

Senior linebacker Fa’Avae Fa’Avae led Idaho with 11 tackles, one sack, one move breakup and one quarterback hurry. Fa’Avae made 76 tackles in eight video games for the Vandals final season, and transferred to Idaho after two years at Washington State.

Sophomore defensive backs Mathias Bertram and Tommy McCormick have been second on the workforce with 9 and 6 tackles, respectively. Redshirt senior linebacker Leo Tamba led the move rush with 1.5 sacks, and USC switch Juliano Falaniko was credited with the opposite half sack.

Teaching Workers

It is a new period of Idaho soccer with Jason Eck taking on. Eck spent the final six seasons at South Dakota State, the place he made three semifinal appearances and reached the nationwide championship sport in 2021 because the offensive coordinator.

Earlier than South Dakota State, Eck made stops at Montana State, Minnesota State, Western Illinois, Hampton, Ball State and Winona State. Eck’s first teaching job got here in 2004 when he was employed because the offensive line coach at Idaho, and now he takes over as the pinnacle coach. 

Eck performed offensive line on the 1998 Wisconsin Badgers soccer workforce that gained the Large Ten Championship and Rose Bowl. He served as a graduate assistant from 2000 to 2002 on Barry Alvarez’s employees at Wisconsin.

Offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner and defensive coordinator Rob Aurich have been a part of the South Dakota State teaching employees final 12 months, and made the transition to Idaho alongside Eck.

Associated tales on Indiana soccer: 

• BEAU ROBBINS’ PATIENCE PAYS OFF: Indiana defensive finish Beau Robbins was compelled to be affected person throughout his first three years as a Hoosier, however after regular dedication within the weight room, to his eating regimen and on the apply subject, he got here by with an important sack on Illinois’ last drive to assist Indiana begin the 2022 season with a 23-20 win. CLICK HERE
• FROM JUNIOR COLLEGE TO THE BIG TEN: After transferring from Trinity Valley Neighborhood School to Indiana this offseason, Cam Camper made a direct impression for the Hoosiers on Friday evening, posting 11 receptions for 156 yards within the 23-20 win over Illinois. CLICK HERE
• BEDFORD OUT FOR YEAR WITH TORN ACL: Indiana coach Tom Allen mentioned on Monday that senior beginning proper sort out Matthew Bedford will miss the rest of the 2022 Indiana soccer season with a torn ACL. West Texas A&M switch Parker Hanna will begin subsequent week. CLICK HERE