1980 Idaho Vandals football team
American college football season
The 1980 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA football season . The Vandals were led by third-year head coach Jerry Davitch and were members of the Big Sky Conference . They played their home games at the Kibbie Dome , an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho .
With freshman transfer quarterback Ken Hobart running the veer offense,[ 4] [ 5] the Vandals were 6–5 overall and 4–3 in the Big Sky to tie for second. Idaho lost to rival Boise State for the fourth straight year. BSU won the Big Sky title in 1980 and competed in the four-team Division I-AA playoffs ; the Broncos won the finals over defending champion Eastern Kentucky .
It was the first winning season for the Vandals since 1976 and only the fourth winning record for the football program in over four decades.[ 6] In early October at 3–1, Idaho was ranked ninth in their first-ever appearance in a national Associated Press poll.[ 7]
Notable players
Transfer quarterback Ken Hobart from Kamiah was a four-year starter. He quickly adjusted from an option quarterback in the veer under Davitch to a prolific passer under new head coach Dennis Erickson in 1982 . He led the Vandals to a 9–4 record in 1982 and an 8–3 record in 1983 as a fifth-year senior, when he was a Division I-AA All-American . Hobart played a season in the USFL with Jacksonville in 1984 and several in the CFL .
Sophomore linebacker Sam Merriman from Tucson, Arizona ,[ 8] was selected in the seventh round (177th overall) of the 1983 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks . A four-year starter for the Vandals, he played five seasons with Seattle, primarily on special teams .[ 9] [ 10] [ 11] He was a probable starter in 1988 , but a serious knee injury in a preseason game (on a punt return in overtime) ended his playing career.[ 12] [ 13] [ 14]
Fallen teammate
Glen White was the Vandals' leading rusher during his junior season in 1979 ,[ 15] the best season by a UI running back in the 1970s. He missed the opener,[ 16] but gained 889 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry in the final ten games as the team finished at 4–7.[ 17]
While in off-season training in February, White felt weakness and was sent to Seattle for further testing.[ 18] Diagnosed with aplastic anemia , he battled it for several months until his death from complications on August 9 at an Oklahoma City hospital, near his parents' home at Fort Sill .[ 19] White, age 22, was posthumously designated an honorary team captain for all eleven games,[ 20] and the Vandals wore his number 32 on the left side of their helmets during the 1980 season.[ 21] [ 22]
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Rank Site Result Attendance Source September 13 7:30 pm at Pacific (CA) * L 13–2415,000 [ 23] [ 24] [ 25] [ 26]
September 20 7:30 pm Simon Fraser * W 56–1611,500 [ 27] [ 28]
September 27 12:30 pm at Montana W 42–08,535 [ 29] [ 30]
October 4 7:30 pm Portland State * W 37–2713,000 [ 31] [ 32]
October 11 6:30 pm at Boise State No. 9 L 21–4421,812 [ 33] [ 34]
October 18 1:30 pm Montana State W 14–615,000 [ 35] [ 36] [ 37]
October 25 7:30 pm at San Jose State * L 10–327,263 [ 38] [ 39]
November 1 7:30 pm Weber State W 31–611,000 [ 40] [ 41] [ 42] [ 43]
November 8 7:30 pm Idaho State L 21–2812,000 [ 44] [ 45] [ 46] [ 47]
November 15 7:30 pm Northern Arizona W 14–710,000 [ 21] [ 48] [ 49] [ 50]
November 22 12:00 pm at Nevada L 7–389,000 [ 51] [ 52]
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Pacific time
Roster
1980 Idaho Vandals football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
SE
7
Jack Klein
Jr
QB
9
Ken Hobart
Fr
QB
11
Mark Vigil
Fr
RB
3
Russell Davis
Jr
RB
35
Wally Jones
So
RB
33
Terry Idler
So
RB
Tim Payne
So
QB,SE
Ben Bubak
Jr
FL
Curtis Johnson
So
SE
John Palumbo
Sr
TE
Tom Coombs
Jr
LT
62
Steve Seman
So
LG
Dave Monico
Sr
C
Pat Hills
Sr
RG
John Girnt
Sr
RT
74
Bruce Fery
Jr
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
CB
41
Greg Jennings
Jr
FS
Ray McCanna
Sr
SS
25
Kelly Miller
Jr
CB
Carlton McBride
Sr
LB
52
Sam Merriman
So
LB
Larry White
Fr
DE
Jay Hayes
Jr
DT
63
Dave Frohnen
Jr
NG
Steve Nelson
Jr
DT
75
Monty Elder
Sr
DE
44
Frank Moreno
Fr
DE
43
Larry Barker
Sr
DE
90
Lloyd Williamson
So
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
PK
6
Pete O'Brien
Jr
P
Chris Brockman
Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Bill Tripp (OC)
Leland Kendall (DC)
Ray Groth (OB)
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Source: [ 3] [ 49] [ 53] [ 54] [ 55] [ 56]
All-conference
Tackle Bruce Fery was the only Vandal on the first team;[ 57] [ 58] second team selections were running back Russell Davis, defensive end Larry Barker, linebacker Sam Merriman , cornerback Carlton McBride, and placekicker Pete O'Brien.[ 59] Honorable mention picks included quarterback Ken Hobart , tight end Tom Coombs, defensive end Jay Hayes, safety Kelly Miller, and punter Chris Brockman.[ 58] [ 59]
NFL draft
No Vandals were selected in the 1981 NFL draft , which lasted twelve rounds (332 selections). Two Vandal juniors were later selected in the 1982 NFL draft ,[ 60] [ 61] [ 62] also twelve rounds (334 selections).
References
^ "Idaho names two assistants" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). March 22, 1980. p. 14.
^ "Kendall, Groth join UI staff" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). March 25, 1980. p. 3C.
^ a b Stewart, Chuck (September 3, 1980). "Stop 'em" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 23.
^ Emerson, Paul (March 23, 1980). "Davitch gets second chance at Hobart" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 11D.
^ Missildine, Harry (September 10, 1980). "Idaho's 'Kamiah Kid': He could be an uncommon football story" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). p. C1.
^ "Idaho Vandals: yearly totals" . College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2016 .
^ "Rating pleases Davitch" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). October 9, 1980. p. 40.
^ Ramsdell, Paul (November 27, 1982). "Lucky Sam Merriman" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 1C.
^ "Sam Merriman" . Database Football . Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016 .
^ Weaver, Dan (July 18, 1984). "Low in the draft, high on the team" . Spokesman-Review . Spokane, Washington. p. 15.
^ Jacobson, Bryan (December 20, 1986). "Like riding a bike" . Idahonian . (Moscow). p. 25.
^ "Seahawks lose Merriman for year" . Spokesman-Review . Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. August 13, 1988. p. B1.
^ Pierce, Oliver (September 14, 1988). "Merriman isn't merry on sidelines" . Idahonian . (Moscow). p. 9A.
^ "Seahawks cut Merriman, two others" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. April 18, 1989. p. C3.
^ Killen, John (November 14, 1979). "Prodigal son: Glen White came back to Idaho and everybody's happy he did" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Idaho. p. 1C.
^ Stewart, Chuck (October 12, 1979). "White leads Vandals against Boise State" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 25.
^ "Peaks and valleys" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Idaho. November 22, 1979. p. 1B.
^ "Idaho back stricken" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). February 21, 1980. p. 23.
^ "UI running back dies" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). August 10, 1980. p. 2B.
^ "Vandals" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). September 18, 1980. p. 4C.
^ a b "White memory spurs Vandals to big victory" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). November 18, 1980. p. 30.
^ " '96 Vandals will sport new look" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). April 28, 1996. p. 6B.
^ "Idaho to go against UOP tonight" . Lodi News-Sentinel . (California). UPI. September 13, 1980. p. 6.
^ Missildine, Harry (September 13, 1980). "Leaping lizards! Hold those Tigers!" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). p. 19.
^ "UOP wins home opener over Idaho 24-13" . Lodi News-Sentinel . (California). UPI. September 15, 1980. p. 19.
^ Stewart, Chuck (September 15, 1980). "Some things good for losing UI" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 24.
^ Barrows, Bob (September 20, 1980). "Idaho, Simon Fraser to collide in Kibbie Dome tonight" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 1C.
^ Barrows, Bob (September 21, 1980). "Vandals rip Simon Fraser, 56-16" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 3C.
^ "Montana prepares 'razzle dazzle' offense for Vandals today" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). September 27, 1980. p. 3C.
^ Katsilometes, George (September 28, 1980). "Idaho shellacks Montana 42-0" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 2C.
^ Stewart, Chuck (October 4, 1980). "Vandals concerned with Portland run" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 13.
^ Stewart, Chuck (October 6, 1980). "Vandals outscore Portland State" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 17.
^ Stewart, Chuck (October 11, 1980). "Emotional Idaho, Boise await kickoff" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 12.
^ Stewart, Chuck (October 13, 1980). "Minter paces Boise State past Vandals" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 26.
^ Barrows, Bob (October 18, 1980). "Vandals, Bobcats face 'must win' situation in homecoming tilt" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 1C.
^ Barrows, Bob (October 19, 1980). "Idaho defense shuts down Bobcats" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 3C.
^ Stewart, Chuck (October 20, 1980). "Idaho throttles Bobcats" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 16.
^ "Idaho faces tough road contest at San Jose" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). October 25, 1980. p. 2B.
^ "San Jose strikes early, bombs Idaho 32-10" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). October 26, 1980. p. 2D.
^ Barrows, Bob (November 1, 1980). "Idaho, Weber State hope to stay in thick of Big Sky title race" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 1C.
^ Stewart, Chuck (November 1, 1980). "UI hoping to move ball vs. Weber" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 14.
^ Barrows, Bob (November 2, 1980). "Vandals are still high in the Big Sky" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 2B.
^ Stewart, Chuck (November 3, 1980). "Bubak burns Weber defense as Idaho smashes Wildcats" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 25.
^ Barrows, Bob (November 8, 1980). "Vandals in key game with rival" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 1C.
^ Stewart, Chuck (November 8, 1980). "Idaho can assure itself winning year" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 12.
^ Barrows, Bob (November 9, 1980). "Bengals dash Idaho's Big Sky title hopes" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 2C.
^ Stewart, Chuck (November 10, 1980). "Idaho sickened by loss" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 19.
^ Barrows, Bob (November 15, 1980). "Idaho Vandals seek to have winning season by beating Northern Arizona" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). p. 1C.
^ a b Stewart, Chuck (November 15, 1980). "UI seniors in final home title" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 12.
^ Stewart, Chuck (November 17, 1980). "Idler 'accepts' offer" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 18.
^ Stewart, Chuck (November 21, 1980). "Vandals play at UNR" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 21.
^ Stewart, Chuck (November 24, 1980). "Nevada-Reno's 'Hawk' rips Vandals" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 18.
^ Stewart, Chuck (September 9, 1980). "Consistency said key for Vandals" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). p. 19.
^ "Probable starting lineups" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). September 13, 1980. p. 19.
^ "Probable starters" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). September 20, 1980. p. 1C.
^ "Probable starters" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). November 15, 1980. p. 1C.
^ "Vandal tackle gains Big Sky star spot" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). December 3, 1980. p. 22.
^ a b "Vandals' Fery makes all-conference team" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). Associated Press. December 4, 1980. p. 4C.
^ a b "Weber, Boise, Reno each land three on Big Sky defensive team all-conference team" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). Associated Press. December 6, 1980. p. 2B.
^ "NFL teams grab best local talent" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. April 29, 1981. p. 27.
^ "Four Cougars, two Vandals picked" . Spokane Chronicle . (Washington). April 29, 1982. p. 35.
^ "NFL teams add Idaho players in late rounds" . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho). April 29, 1982. p. 1C.
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