1989 Idaho Vandals football team explained

Year:1989
Team:Idaho Vandals
Conference:Big Sky Conference
Short Conf:Big Sky
Record:9–3
Conf Record:8–0
Head Coach:John L. Smith
Hc Year:1st
Off Coach:Dan Cozzetto
Oc Year:1st
Def Coach:Gordon Shaw
Dc Year:1st
Stadium:Kibbie Dome
Champion:Big Sky champion
Bowl:NCAA Division I-AA First Round
Bowl Result:
L 21–38 vs. Eastern Illinois

The 1989 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1989 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by first-year head coach John L. Smith, were members of the Big Sky Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The Vandals won their third consecutive conference title (fourth in five years), and made the I-AA playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, under a third head coach. Led by senior All-American quarterback John Friesz, Idaho finished the regular season at and in the Big Sky.

Hired in early January, Smith had been the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Idaho for four seasons (198285), all under Dennis Erickson, then went with him in the same capacity to Wyoming and Washington State.[1] [2]

Notable games

Following two non-conference road losses to open the season at Washington State and,[3] [4] the Vandals won nine straight, which included an undefeated conference record of It was the only time in school history that the football team has posted an unblemished conference record.

The Vandals defeated Montana, their only conference loss the previous season, on a Thursday night in the Kibbie Dome in late September, televised by ESPN.[5] [6] Idaho beat Nevada for the third straight year,[7] only the fourth time in the twelve meetings since the Wolf Pack joined the Big Sky in 1979. The Vandals defeated rival Boise State for the eighth consecutive year, the eighth of twelve straight over the Broncos before a record crowd of 17,600 in the Kibbie Dome.[8]

Division I-AA playoffs

For the fifth consecutive season, Idaho returned to the 16-team I-AA playoffs. The Vandals, on a nine-game winning streak, hosted Eastern Illinois at home but lost The game was played before a sparse crowd at the Kibbie Dome two days after Thanksgiving and ended the Vandals' season at

Notable players

The 1989 team included John Friesz,[9] a future collegiate hall of fame quarterback as a three-year starter Friesz was the winner of the Walter Payton Award in 1989,[10] [11] and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 1990 NFL draft. He was in the NFL for the next decade with four teams.

Roster

[12] [13]

All-conference

Quarterback John Friesz was named to the all-conference team for a third consecutive year.[14] He was joined by center Steve Unger, guard Troy Wright, wide receiver Lee Allen, defensive end Mike Zeller, linebacker Roger Cecil, and cornerback Charlie Oliver.[14] Second team selections included wide receiver Kasey Dunn, tackles Todd Neu and Chuck Yarbro, linebacker John Rust, and safety Brian Smith.[15]

Friesz was the Big Sky's outstanding offensive player for a third straight year,[9] repeated as a first-team Kodak All-American in Division and won the Walter Payton Award.[10] [11]

NFL Draft

One Vandal senior was selected in the 1990 NFL draft, which lasted twelve rounds (332 selections).

Player Position Round Overall Franchise
John Friesz138 San Diego Chargers

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Smith no newcomer to UI football . Idahonian . (Moscow) . Meehan . Jim . January 3, 1989 . 7A.
  2. News: Vandals make it official: Smith . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Boling . Dave . January 4, 1989 . C1.
  3. News: Vandalized! Portland State stuns Idaho 29-20 . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Sahlberg . Bert . September 10, 1989 . 1B .
  4. News: Vandals' season off to scary start . Idahonian . (Moscow) . September 11, 1989 . 1B.
  5. News: Idaho bags game Grizzlies . Spokane Chronicle . (Washington) . Stalwick . Howie . September 29, 1989 . B1.
  6. News: Friesz, defense help UI short-circuit Griz . Idahonian . (Moscow) . Schulte . Chris . September 29, 1989 . 1B.
  7. News: Blocked kick helps UI sack Pack . Idahonian . (Moscow) . Schulte . Chris . October 30, 1989 . 1B.
  8. News: Friesz shows he's human in UI win. Idahonian . (Moscow) . Schulte . Chris . November 20, 1989 . 1B.
  9. News: No surprise: Friesz cops Big Sky MVP . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Associated Press . December 1, 1989 . 1D .
  10. News: Friesz named Payton award winner . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Associated Press . December 16, 1989 . 1D.
  11. News: UI's Friesz will receive Payton Award today . Idahonian . (Moscow) . December 16, 1989 . 1E.
  12. News: Cougars heavy favorites as rivalry resumes today. Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . Sahlberg . Bert . Grummert . Dale . September 2, 1989 . 4B.
  13. News: Idaho at Portland State: probable starting lineups . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Idaho) . September 9, 1989 . 5B.
  14. News: Numerous Vandals earn All-Big Sky honors . Idahonian . (Moscow) . Associated Press . November 28, 1989 . 6A.
  15. News: All-Big Sky: Second team selections . Idahonian . (Moscow) . Associated Press . November 28, 1989 . 7A.