Idaho 2005 Season | Team Page	Select Conference ACC Big East Big Ten Big 12 Conference USA Independents MAC Mountain West Pac-10 SEC Sun Belt WAC Select Team

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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Dennis Erickson (1st season, was 32-15 in his first stint at the school from 1982-85) 2005 record: 2-9 WAC finish: 2-6 (t-6th) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 69th (137.6 ypg) Passing: 109th (138.6 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 46th (140.5 ypg) Passing: 28th (195.0 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 at Michigan State Sept. 9 at Washington State Sept. 16 Idaho State Sept. 23 at Oregon State Sept. 30 at Utah State Oct. 7 New Mexico State Oct. 14 at Louisiana Tech Oct. 21 Boise State Oct. 28 at Hawaii Nov. 4 Nevada Nov. 18 at Fresno State Nov. 25 San Jose State Depth Chart: Offense 9 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 86 Lee Smith So. 81 DeAngelo Ramsey Sr. WR 22 Max Komar Fr. 3 Matt Askew Sr. WR 1 Wendell Octave Sr. 82 Ryan Heacock Jr. LT 68 Nate VanderPol Sr. 71 Billy Bates So. LG 50 Jade Tadvick Sr. 74 Brandon Schulte So. C 72 Adam Korby So. 69 Irvin Stevens III Fr. RG 62 Adam Juratovac Fr. 51 Marcis Fennell Jr. RT 65 Kris Anderson So. 79 Bryce Sinclair Fr. TE 45 Luke Smith-Anderson Jr. 80 Keith Greer Sr. QB 8 Steve Wichman Sr. 11 Chris Joseph So. TB 44 Jayson Bird So. 32 Rolly Lumbala Jr. Depth Chart: Defense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 58 Ben Alexander Jr. 57 Taylor Rust So. DT 98 Josh Shaw So. 84 Alex Toailoa So. NT 94 Ryan Davis Sr. 97 Marvin Jones Fr. DE 93 Charles Campbell Sr. 55 George Fa’avae Jr. SLB 31 Josh Bousman Jr. 5 Brandon Ogletree Jr. MLB 11 Jaron Williams Sr. 17 Robert Davis Sr. WLB 40 David Vobora Jr. 26 Jason Brown So. CB 8 Reggie Jones Jr. 10 Jason Martin Sr. CB 6 Stanley Franks Jr. 20 Keith Charles Fr. SS 49 D.J. Dykes Jr. 33 Brandon Nystrom Fr. FS 16 Tone Taupule Sr. 24 Lee Jones Jr. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 43 Mike Barrow Sr. KR 81 DeAngelo Ramsey Sr. P 43 Mike Barrow Sr. PR 49 D.J. Dykes Jr.

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Dennis Erickson, the man credited with building the winning tradition at Idaho -- as Vandals coach from 1982-85 -- now must try to recreate his magic. Erickson, who is back for a second tour of duty with the Vandals, inherits a 2-9 team that again is predicted for a second-division finish in the WAC. Still, the former Miami, Oregon State and NFL coach isn't backing down.

"When I first came here it was a big challenge with the Big Sky and I-AA," Erickson says. "This is a totally different challenge. We've got the WAC, bowl opportunities and television opportunities. That's why I'm here, because it's a new challenge and a big challenge. It's going to be fun."

The schedule won't be fun. Road games at Michigan State, Washington State and Oregon State qualify this slate as brutal. Plus, the Vandals play at Fresno State, Hawaii and Louisiana Tech in conference play.

On the plus side, Idaho returns experienced players at just about every position. While Erickson is putting in a new offense, the defense essentially will be the same as it has been the past two seasons under Nick Holt, now the defensive coordinator at USC. Idaho made strides in spring drills, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If the offense can catch up and stay healthy, it may be Erickson who has the last laugh on the prognosticators.

OFFENSE

Quarterback Steve Wichman has as good an arm as any quarterback in the conference, but the lingering question for the Vandals is who will be his primary target. There are several candidates, including Wendell Octave, Max Komar, Matt Askew and Lee Smith.

The most improved position should be tight end, with the return of oft-injured Luke Smith-Anderson, who has endured three season-ending injuries in his career. Erickson considers the junior an all-conference caliber player.

Wichman will operate behind a veteran offensive line that gained tons of experience last season when injuries decimated the unit. Center Adam Korby is the rock in the middle, while tackle Nate VanderPol and guard Jade Tadvick have started since their redshirt freshman seasons.

The key to the offense will be establishing a running game, something the Vandals couldn't do last season after Jayson Bird went down with a broken collar bone. Bird, a sophomore, is back healthy this season. His combination of speed and power make him a threat. But junior college All-American Brian Flowers is expected to make a push for playing time. Versatile Tracy Ford, veteran Rolly Lumbala and Gavin Smith, an Eastern Washington transfer, also are in the mix.

DEFENSE

The core of the defense returns intact, and Idaho might be improved with the addition of better athletes replacing the departed seniors. The strength of the group lies in the linebacking corps, where Josh Bousman and David Vobora are the big playmakers. Jaron Williams and Robert Davis also bring production to the corps.

The strength of the Vandals' front line comes from the edges, as ends Ben Alexander and Charles Campbell return. The duo had mixed results in their first season of Division I-A ball, but their production should increase because of their experience in the system. Both enjoyed success in spring drills.

A key will be developing depth on the interior line. Ryan Davis is solid at nose tackle, but the tackle position has question marks.

The secondary should be improved. D.J. Dykes has been a starter at safety since the day he arrived. He was the team's third-leading tackler last season. The addition of junior college transfer Stanley Franks and the return of Reggie Jones from injury put the cornerback position in good hands. Jason Martin is a capable corner, while safety Tone Taupule can also make an impact.

SPECIALISTS

Kicker Mike Barrow returns after a stellar junior season. He made 16-of-19 field goals after meeting with a sports psychologist. Barrow is also expected to handle punting duties for the third year in a row. He averaged 42.1 yards per punt last season. Long-snapper Joel Jones returns from a hand injury, which should stabilize that position. Erickson has a host of options at the return positions, including Dykes, Wes Williams and Ramsey.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Idaho should be an improved football team, but the brutal non-conference schedule will make it hard for that improvement to show up in the win-loss column. If the Vandals can stay healthy, find dependable receivers and improve against the run, Erickson might be able to piece together a middle-of-the-pack finish in the WAC. But the margin for error is thin -- the team must avoid injuries to reach its full potential.