In just two days the No. 3 Oregon Ducks will kick off the 2024 college football season at home against the Idaho Vandals. Idaho enters the season at No. 7 in the FCS coaches rankings.

To help fans get ready for Saturday’s game, I sat down with Andrew Quinn of KREM 2 Sports who covers the Vandals to take a look at some of the top players to know. You can watch the full episode of the Ducks Dish Podcast in the video link at the bottom of this story.

“Without a doubt talking to players, coaches, anyone involved with the Idaho program they just rave about this kid’s work ethic. They say he’s in the Kibbie Dome about 98% of the time. If you walk into the Kibbie Dome you will see Jack Layne every day after practices. He just seems like a workaholic. He’s spent the last two years learning and I think he’s ready for this opportunity.”

“If I was to give one guy that Oregon should spotlight with a big O on Saturday his name is Abraham Williams. He will be returning kicks and punts for Idaho and he is ultra dangerous. This is a dude you probably want to kick the ball away from, because why would you let one guy hurt you? When you could send your defense out there and try to get some stops against Jack Layne. Definitely spotlight Abraham Williams. This guy’s been easily the best kick returner in the Big Sky over the last two years. He transfered from Weber State this offseason to Idaho. He plays corner, he’s got good size. Obviously very fast, but don’t really know what his cover skills are like, so I’d really like to see him get in there and get stuck in there against some of these Duck receivers.”

“Anybody you talk to right now says Idaho may have the best D-line in the entire Big Sky. These D-line guys are for real. They’ve got two edge rushers in Keyshawn James-Newby and Malakai Williams who’ve done a good job of getting to the quarterback over the last two years.”

“They’ve got a big 330-pound nose tackle in the middle named Jahkari Larmond, who is a big space eater. Definitely is great at trying to stop the run a little bit.”

IDAHO FALLS — Idaho Falls police are on the scene of a crash on Fremont Avenue at the Highway 20 overpass.

One car was involved and the road is closed. Drivers are asked to use alternate routes.

It’s unknown if anyone was injured in the crash.

Fremont Avenue is expected to open after 8 a.m., according to the Idaho Falls Police Department.

EastIdahoNews.com will update this story as we learn more.

Cabins available for guests at Xhale Resort and Spa at 1421 1st Street in Idaho Falls. Take a look at the amenities in the video above. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.

BIZ BUZZ

IDAHO FALLS

Owners of new local resort want to help you relax

IDAHO FALLS – People have enjoyed getting massages, facials, pedicures and other services at Xhale Spa for years, and the owners recently added a resort to go with it.

Xhale Resort & Spa at 1421 1st Street in Idaho Falls includes two businesses under one roof. Rachael and Brock Merrill started taking bookings for the resort on Aug. 1.

It’s open to adults only and includes seven cabins for an overnight stay, hot pools, waterfalls, fire pits, pickleball courts, cornhole, seating areas for couples to relax and other amenities. Take a look inside in the video above.

Rachael tells EastIdahoNews.com the resort’s purpose is to give couples a place to get away and relax.

“We do a lot of couples massages and facials (at the spa) and most of the time they’re celebrating an anniversary or a birthday. A lot of events are celebrated here, so we wanted to (offer more amenities for them to celebrate),” Rachael says.

Xhale Spa was previously near 17th Street in Ammon but recently moved to 1st Street after the Merrills, who also own Orange Leaf, bought the property.

The building on 1st Street used to be the home of Dr. Hatch, a well-known physician in town during the 1930s. Rachael doesn’t remember his first name but says he had a farm and owned land in Falls Valley where Falls Valley Elementary now sits.

“The Hatches lived here, and their daughter-in-law, who used to come here when it was their home, brought us some of the old deeds for the property. A judge had claimed the land back then. He built the house and then the Hatches purchased it from him in the ’30s,” Rachael says.

Rachael thought the property was an ideal location for a spa and resort.

She’s excited to be up and running and invites the community to come for a getaway.

To schedule a stay or learn more, visit the website or call (208) 227-3529.

BIZ BITS

SnakeBite Restaurant in Idaho Falls will be featured on ‘America’s Best Restaurants’

IDAHO FALLS – The SnakeBite Restaurant in Idaho Falls will be hosting a visit from “America’s Best Restaurants” in early September.

America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently-owned restaurants, will bring its ABR Roadshow to the restaurant on Sept. 9. Popular dishes will be highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with key staff about the restaurant’s special place in the community. The episode will be aired extensively on social media channels at a later date.

Now operated under the 100 Proof Hospitality hospitality group, SnakeBite has been in operation since 1994. The downtown building dates back to 1907.

Popular menu items that may be featured on the episode include the fan favorite Grand Teton burger, topped with Swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms and onions, lettuce and avocado; the “famous” waffle fries with homemade fry sauce; fish tacos; and the Hoback Chicken Sandwich, a house seasoned grilled chicken breast with fresh sprouts, avocado, tomato and red onion.

The restaurant’s finished episode premiere date will be announced on its Facebook page and will be featured on its website.

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