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| Monday, August 13 Updated: August 14, 10:09 AM ET QB Welsh leads powerful Idaho offense By Adam Rittenberg Special to ESPN.com |
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Idaho Vandals 2000 record: 5-6 (3-2 in Big West). Coach: Tom Cable (2nd year, 5-6). Starters returning: 5 offense, 5 defense, 1 kicker. Outlook: Most college coaches would be justifiably envious of Vandals' coach Tom Cable. His star QB John Welsh and his leading WR Chris Lacy both return to an offense that ranked eighth nationally last season. Welsh exploded for 3,171 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2000, finding Lacy six times in the end zone. The Vandals' challenge will be replacing 1,200-yard rusher Willie Anderson and reducing the number of major mistakes. Idaho's 29 turnovers tied it for most among Sun Belt teams, and the Vandals' giveaway-takeaway margin was a disappointing -12 for the year. After a spotty season in Cable's brand-new defensive scheme, Idaho should improve this year. The Vandals return three starters on their defensive line, including Co-Big West Defensive Player of the Year Wil Beck and senior DE Ryan Knowles. The tandem teamed up for 10.5 sacks and 114 tackles in 2000. Keep an eye on: LB Brad Rice. To bolster team speed, Cable switched Rice and FS Jordan Kramer to LB. The team's third leading tackler in 2000, Rice broke up nine passes last year and had a career-high 12 unassisted tackles in Idaho's game with Oregon. A former all-state QB in high school, Rice's athleticism should help a shaky Vandals defense. Key game: Idaho players and coaches still have a sour taste in their mouths from their 66-24 pounding by in-state rival Boise State in the 2000 season finale. This year, Idaho hosts the Broncos at Martin Stadium in its final non-conference game. A win would be sweet revenge for the Vandals before the Middle Tennessee showdown. It's a good year if... Nothing short of a conference title will satisfy an experienced and talented Idaho team. With a slate that features three Pac-10 teams (Arizona, Washington and Washington State), Idaho cannot afford blowout losses early on. If the Vandals head into Murfreesboro with the confidence of two or three non-conference wins, they could surprise Middle Tennessee and run the table in league play. |
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