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Jul. 31—MOSCOW, Idaho — Two impressive completions — on a third-and-18 and on a 40-yard connection on a deep post — should give University of Idaho fans some early confidence that the successors to former quarterback Gevani McCoy, now at Oregon State, and Hayden Hatten, now with the Seattle Seahawks, are ready to take star turns for the Vandals this season.
New Idaho starting quarterback Jack Layne and receiver Jordan Dwyer looked that capable in Idaho’s season-opening practice Wednesday.
But a deeper dive into the Vandals should inspire even more conviction as sophomore safety Hayden John won the daily practice award. With senior starting safety Kyrin Beachen sitting out the opener with a hamstring injury that coach Jason Eck predicts will not linger, John stepped into the No. 1 defensive backfield and produced a pass breakup and an interception on back-to-back plays.
“This is really what our program is about,” Eck said in presenting the Vandals’ battle axe to John as the players gathered around the coach at the conclusion of a 2 1/2 -hour opening session.
Afterward, Eck said he was largely pleased with what he saw on both sides of the ball, as numerous Vandals rose to the moment to take advantage of opportunities.
Predicting the course of a season off one unpadded practice under the July summer sun is hardly a productive errand. But the Vandals looked like an experienced bunch getting down to business in the unit drills, pass skeleton and the 11-on-11 session that concluded practice.
The worst thing Eck could upbraid his team on was some chirping following several big plays that would have resulted in 15-yard penalties in a game.
“We’ve got to clean that up,” Eck said. “It is not national championship behavior.”
Redshirt linebacker Zach Johnson, from Coeur d’Alene’s Lake City High School, also drew Eck’s notice…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/idaho-begins-fall-camp-eyes-020200447.html
Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Publish date : 2024-08-01 02:02:00
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