Over the next six days truSports will be releasing one WAC team preview per day to get you ready for the upcoming college football season. After you learn about the upcoming WAC foes, we will conclude with an in-depth breakdown of the New Mexico State Aggies.
We begin our series with the Idaho Vandals.
2011 Record: 2-10 (1-6 WAC, 8th)
Head coach Robb Akey enters the 2012 season in his fifth year at the helm of Idaho’s football program and two years removed from a 2009 Humanitarian Bowl victory over Bowling Green, the school’s second in program history. The Vandals return five offensive starters and four defensive starters from their 2011 team.
Senior quarterback Bobby Cowan and senior receiver Justin Veltung will be the key components of the Vandal offense this season. Cowan, who has started all three years he’s been on campus, earned FWAA All-America honors in 2011.
Veltung battled a foot injury all season long but only sat out two games for the Vandals. He was the team’s star punt and kick returner and will look to continue his special teams success in 2012. Cowan will also target senior receiver Mike Scott who led the Vandals last year in receptions (55) and receiving yards (691).
Veltung battled a foot injury all season long but only sat out two games for the Vandals. He was the team’s star punt and kick returner and will look to continue his special teams success in 2012. Cowan will also target senior receiver Mike Scott who led the Vandals last year in receptions (55) and receiving yards (691).
Idaho’s defense may take a step back in 2012 with the loss of three seniors who were named to the 2011 All-WAC second team, including linebackers Korey Toomer and Tre’Shawn Robinson, and defensive back Matthew Harvey.
The Vandals will rely on corner back Aaron Grymes, safety Gary Walker, and linebacker Conrad Scheidt to provide senior leadership on an otherwise young defense this season. Walker is the leading returning tackler for Idaho. Last season he compiled 109 tackles, 67 of which were solo takedowns, tying him for 20th nationally.
The Vandals will rely on corner back Aaron Grymes, safety Gary Walker, and linebacker Conrad Scheidt to provide senior leadership on an otherwise young defense this season. Walker is the leading returning tackler for Idaho. Last season he compiled 109 tackles, 67 of which were solo takedowns, tying him for 20th nationally.
Idaho boasts one of, if not the best kicking games in the WAC.
The multi-talented Cowan also acts as the Vandals punter and was a 2011 Ray Guy semifinalist. He led the conference last year in punting with an average of 46.4 yards per punt.
Senior kicker Trey Farquhar finished 2011 on the Lou Groza watch list. Farquhar has more 50-plus yard field goals (6) than any kicker in Idaho school history. He is also the Vandals’ all-time field-goal percentage leader and holds the school record for most field goals in a season with 18 in 2010.
The multi-talented Cowan also acts as the Vandals punter and was a 2011 Ray Guy semifinalist. He led the conference last year in punting with an average of 46.4 yards per punt.
Senior kicker Trey Farquhar finished 2011 on the Lou Groza watch list. Farquhar has more 50-plus yard field goals (6) than any kicker in Idaho school history. He is also the Vandals’ all-time field-goal percentage leader and holds the school record for most field goals in a season with 18 in 2010.
*Check back tomorrow for a preview of the UT-San Antonio Roadrunners.*
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