Football preview, september 3, 2015

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Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Washington St. Cougars

Looking for bounce back With returning starters at quarterback, along both offensive and defensive line and every assistant coach back from the program’s first bowl trip in a decade, excitement swirled around the Washington State football team in 2014. That passion was quickly doused when the Cougars lost their first two games despite being favored in both.

Mike Leach and his team will attempt to turn last season into a temporary blip in the program’s positive momentum with what he has called his best team yet at WSU. As athletic director Bill Moos recently told KJR sports radio hosts Jason Puckett and Ian Furness, “It would be a great year to win seven or eight games.”

Making two bowl games in three years would give the Cougars a groundwork for sustainable success by helping with recruiting, bringing back fans and bolstering Moos’ fundraising efforts. But the Pac-12 is once again expected to be among college football’s toughest conferences – the Cougars play five AP Top-25 ranked teams during one six-week stretch – and there is little margin for error.

The Alex Grinch effect If WSU had only had a mediocre defense in 2014, the Cougars might well be coming off their second consecutive bowl trip. The WSU defense gave up 38.6 points per game – No. 114 out of 125 teams. Even more glaring, it only forced eight turnovers, tied with Georgia State for the worst among FBS teams.

New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was hired from Missouri in the offseason to improve those two statistics. If he can, at the very least the defense will stop anchoring an offense that was above average at scoring points a year ago (No. 45 nationally at 31.8 points per game), and is expected to improve with its entire offensive line, running back corps, and most of its wide receivers returning.

Grinch wasted no time putting his signature on the defense, installing a 3-3-5 base look that should put more speed on the See COUGARS, T5

Associated Press

NFL draft analyst Rob Rang says WSU senior tackle Joe Dahl is quick and plays with “great knee bend.”

COUGAR LINCHPIN ALMOST GOT AWAY Dahl anchors line that holds key to WSU success and one-on-one periods and coach Leach and myself were watching and saying man, this kid’s pretty good,” said offensive line coach Clay oe Dahl is the left tackle who protects his McGuire. quarterback’s blindside, a role that combines Now Dahl is the foundation of what could be the trope of an offensive lineman’s gritty WSU’s best, and most important, offensive lines in a anonymity with the celebrity of collectively decade. Connor Halliday spent his two-and-a-half understood importance to his team’s success. years as the starting quarterback under constant He is the local boy who grew to love football duress. The new quarterback tasked with taking during Washington State’s heyday in the early WSU to a new era of sustained success will need a 2000s, memorizing names like Brink and Gesser clean pocket in which to grow and mature into an and Trufant. effective steward of the Air Raid.

Dahl is the all-league kid from Spokane’s The Cougars return all five starters along the University High who has started every offensive line, all of their backups, game he has been eligible to play for almost all of their backups’ backups WSU, and will likely be the next Cougar and, just in case of an emergency, have to represent his alma mater in the NFL. an impressive and sizable group of Truly, Dahl crosses every box on the freshmen. sports marketers’ checklist, a player Leach calls offensive line his favorite who can touch all the emotional nerves position, and he’s seen a pretty Predicted of fans and whose local-boy-made-good compelling case to its value. During his finish order bio is the prototype of a salable college first season at WSU, the one Dahl sat football player. out, the Cougars took 57 sacks, five North And to think, the first act of his more than any other FBS team.

1. Oregon college football career was to spurn the The WSU coaches credit Dahl with 2. Stanford Cougars. giving up just one of the 36 sacks the 3. California The biggest mistake Dahl made was offensive line allowed in 2014 and his 4. Washington to keep his word. The hardest thing he’s size and athleticism are why CBS NFL 5. WSU ever had to do was rectify that mistake. draft analyst Rob Rang considers him 6. Oregon St. His mistake, however, was the result the best pro prospect in the state.

South of a blunder by the previous WSU Rang says that, with a good senior 1. USC coaching staff, led by head coach and season, Dahl could be among the first 2. Arizona former Cougars offensive lineman Paul 100 players selected in next spring’s 3. UCLA Wulff, who waited far too long to offer a NFL draft. That may necessitate a 4. Arizona St. scholarship to the future Pac-12 star. position switch, however. Dahl started 5. Utah By the time the offer was made, Dahl the first 12 games of the 2013 season at 6. Colorado had already decided to play at the left guard before flipping positions University of Montana, where the with Gunnar Eklund prior to the New Grizzlies coaches had cobbled together Mexico Bowl. enough athletic and academic aid to equal the full “I just don’t know if he has the length to remain scholarship an FBS school like WSU could provide. outside at left tackle,” Rang said. “He’s not a real Out of a somewhat outdated desire to stick true big, hulking type of player that you want to make to his word over his interests – and, admittedly, to into a right tackle, but he’s so quick, plays with such spite the WSU coaches for making him a backup great knee bend, that I think you could slot him choice – Dahl walked away from the scholarship inside at guard.” he’d always wanted to be offered.

Rang added that because of Dahl’s football “I wanted to stay true to my word. I think that’s a intelligence, he may also be able to play center in common mistake for high school guys because they the NFL. WSU players have a history of seeing their haven’t experienced draft stock rise after anything like a playing in all-star Follow WSU sports reporter Jacob Thorpe recruiting process and games. Deone on Twitter for updates @JacobThorpeSR can handle it wrong,” Bucannon and Marcus Dahl said. “There Trufant each became definitely was a sense first-round picks due of, I don’t know, a little bit of anger just because I to standout performances. wanted to go there in the first place and they waited “You could see a similar thing with Dahl because so long.” he would be asked to block in a more traditional Dahl realized he made a mistake when he arrived offense,” Rang said. “I’m anticipating that he would at Montana. He left after the football season and be successful in making that transition.” walked on at WSU, taking student loans. He arrived Rang adds that while Dahl projects as an interior shortly before Mike Leach’s new football staff, who player at the next level, he is a perfect fit at left quickly realized that the freshman tagging along in tackle at WSU, where the offensive linemen have workouts, trying out for the team, was worth uniquely wide splits and never settle into a keeping around. three-point stance.

“When we got him in two-a-days, obviously he And he’s a perfect fit at WSU, always has been. was over with the scout team, we had him in drills He just had to get there first.

Stories by Jacob Thorpe

jacobt@spokesman.com, (509) 710-8070

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No. 48 8 17 82 26 92 19 89 6 79 31 41 49 16 77 36 44 95 62 55 67 56 94 21 25 56 35 32 54 60 88 31 63 90 8 74 4 96 43 64 38 78 71 5 57 2 53 33 24 23 29 3 72 42 12 13 93 45 28 44 15 87 18 51 61 9 12 50 59 69 3 73 98 22 25 76 53 70 27 40 10 99 77 47 68 27 52 17 46 6 1 24 65 75 49 66 38 39 58 83 45 30 95 34 20 19 86 85 24 97 4 23 80 32 33 37

Name Matt Abramo Jeremiah Allison Erik Anderson Zaire Andre Tyler Baker Robert Barber Brett Bartolone Nick Begg Peyton Bender Cedric Bigge-Duren Xavius Boone Quentin Breshears Tristan Brock Treshon Broughton Austin Brown David Bucannon Kyle Celli Zach Charme Moritz Christ Reggie Coates Michael Cole Taylor Comfort Mitchell Cox River Cracraft Skyler Cracraft Joe Dahl Hunter Dale Isaiah Davis Nate DeRider Andre Dillard CJ Dimry Isaac Dotson Gunnar Eklund Daniel Ekuale Connor Ennis Brandon Evers Luke Falk T.J. Fehoko Kingston Fernandez Sam Flor Kaleb Fossum Carlos Freeman Lucas Gravelle Calvin Green Drew Griffin Suli Hameed Caleb Hancock Dylan Hanser Keith Harrington Andrew Hecker Parker Henry Tyler Hilinski Mack Hopkins Greg Hoyd III Matt Jimison Christian Jorgenson Jacob Laird Alijah Lee Darius Lemora Chandler Leniu Robert Lewis Daniel Lilienthal Shalom Luani Frankie Luvu Cole Madison Gabe Marks Tavares Martin Jr. Hercules Mata’afa Hunter Mattox Devonte McClain Ivan McLennan Eduardo Middleton Jeremiah Mitchell Darrien Molton Jamal Morrow Cody O’Connell Nnamdi Oguayo Noah Osur-Myers Killian Page Kache Palacio Kirkland Parker Darryl Paulo Chris Paz Peyton Pelluer Davis Perrott Marcellus Pippins Aaron Porter Pat Porter Erik Powell Kameron Powell Kyrin Priester Willie Roach Amosa Sakaria B.J. Salmonson Brett Schafer Jacob Seydel Dakota Sinchak Deion Singleton Riley Sorenson Kyle Sweet Logan Tago Taylor Taliulu Ngalu Tapa Madigan Taulelei Paris Taylor Colton Teglovic D.J. Thompson John Thompson Kyle Torres Destiny Vaeao Charleston White Gerard Wicks Dom Williams James Williams Kainoa Wilson Julius Yates-Brown

Pos. K LB WR WR WR NT WR TE QB OL WR K LB CB DL S LB/LS K/P OL DL OL LB K WR DB OL S WR LB OL WR S OL DL QB OL QB DE DE OL WR OL LS DB LB S OL LB RB S LB QB OL LB QB QB DL RB S LB WR WR S LB OL WR WR DE DL DL LB OL DE CB RB OL LB OL RB LB CB DL OL LB OL CB LB CB K/P S WR DB OL OL K OL DB S OL WR LB S DT RB LB S WR WR DB DL CB RB WR RB WR CB

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

Ht. 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-5 6-0 6-6 5-9 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-5 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-5 6-5 6-1 6-7 6-3 5-11 6-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-4 5-10 6-3 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-10 6-5 6-4 5-8 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-0 5-6 6-0 6-0 5-9 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-5 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-4 5-10 5-9 6-8 6-3 6-4 5-8 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-4 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-4 5-9 6-6 5-9 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-0 5-8 5-8 5-10 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-2 5-11 5-11 5-9

Wt. 186 228 190 167 190 307 185 237 187 308 171 184 240 170 305 194 230 192 327 235 295 238 202 200 193 310 202 183 224 270 200 215 305 288 186 290 205 273 256 309 187 303 218 175 221 190 275 230 180 180 207 187 302 221 208 190 252 177 196 261 170 203 201 237 303 190 165 242 259 304 233 310 256 170 190 346 210 321 185 231 175 255 305 227 270 170 242 170 193 202 190 196 308 295 165 295 180 190 319 186 228 205 314 205 219 195 188 194 180 298 185 224 200 185 160 187

Yr. Fr. Sr. RSo. RFr. RSr. RJr. RJr. RFr. RFr. Fr. Fr. RSr. Fr. Jr. Fr. RJr. RFr. Fr. RSr. RJr. Fr. RFr. Jr. Jr. RSr. RSr. Fr. RFr. RSo. RFr. Jr. RSo. RSr. RSo. RSo. RFr. RSo. Fr. RFr. RJr. Fr. RSo. Jr. So. RFr. So. Jr. So. RFr. Fr. RJr. Fr. RFr. RFr. Fr. Fr. RFr. RFr. RSo. RFr. RSo. RSr. Jr. So. RSo. RJr. Fr. RFr. Fr. RSr. RSr. RJr. RJr. Fr. RSo. RSo. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. RSo. RSr. Fr. RSo. Fr. So. Jr. So. RSo. Fr. So. RJr. Fr. RSo. Fr. RSr. RSo. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. RFr. Fr. RJr. RJr. RFr. Jr. Fr. Sr. RSo. RSo. RSr. Fr. Fr. Fr.

Hometown Petaluma, Calif.

Los Angeles Burien, Wash.

Inglewood, Calif.

Bullard, Texas Pago Pago, Am. Samoa La Habra, Calif.

Ran. San. Marg., Calif.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Oceanside, Calif.

Altadena, Calif.

Turlock, Calif.

Mount Vernon, Wash.

Murrieta, Calif.

San Jacinto, Calif.

Fairfield, Calif.

Seattle Boise, Idaho Siegen, Germany Encino, Calif.

Olympia, Wash.

Sultan, Wash.

Kent, Wash.

Trabuco Canyon, Calif.

Trabuco Canyon, Calif.

Spokane Valley River Ridge, La. Renton, Wash.

Bellevue, Wash.

Woodinville, Wash.

Carlsbad, Calif.

Bellevue, Wash.

Lake Stevens, Wash.

Pago Pago, Am.Samoa Washington D.C. Redding, Calif.

Logan, Utah Salt Lake City, Utah Kapolei, Hawaii Seattle Lake Forest, Calif.

Midwest City, Okla.

Niagara, N.Y. Sacramento, Calif.

Tacoma Oakland, Calif.

Spanaway, Wash.

Billings, Mont.

St. Petersburg, Fla. Poulsbo, Wash.

Vancouver, Wash.

Claremont, Calif.

Connell, Wash.

Murrieta, Calif.

Folsom, Calif.

Bellingham, Wash.

Ephrata, Wash.

Los Angeles Port Arthur, Texas Lakewood, Calif.

South Gate, Calif.

Hemet, Calif.

Masausi, Am. Samoa Pago Pago, Am. Samoa Burien, Wash.

Venice, Calif.

Belle Glade, Fla. Lahaina, Hawaii Calabasas, Calif.

East Palo Alto, Calif.

Hawthorne, Calif.

Oceanside, Calif.

Lake Elsinore, Calif.

Temecula, Calif.

Menifee, Calif.

Wenatchee, Wash.

Beltsville, Md. Walnut Creek, Calif.

Tulalip, Wash.

Gardena, Calif.

Houston, Texas Sacramento, Calif.

Bellingham, Wash.

Sammamish, Wash.

Phoenix, Ariz.

Richmond, Calif.

Norwalk, Calif.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. Vancouver, Wash.

Upland, Calif.

St. Petersburg, Fla. Federal Way, Wash.

Pago Pago, Am. Samoa Everson, Wash.

Edmonds, Wash.

Riverside, Calif.

Oak Harbor, Wash.

Pasco, Wash.

Ran. San. Marg., Calif.

Ran. San. Marg., Calif.

Pago Pago, Am. Samoa Aiea, Hawaii Sacramento, Calif.

Boise Altamonte Springs, Fla. Sammamish, Wash.

Los Angeles Spanaway, Wash.

Keizer, Ore. Pago Pago, Am. Samoa Amarillo, Texas Long Beach, Calif.

Pomona, Calif.

Burbank, Calif.

Nanakuli, Hawaii Tacoma

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

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THURSDAY

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No.Name 72 Adams, Trey 85 Ajamu, David 19 Baccellia, Andre 32 Baker, Budda 17 Bartlett, Tevis 9 Beaver, Brandon 15 Beavers, DJ 23 Before, Drew 14 Berg, Anthony 12 Biddle, Ian 7 Bierria, Keishawn 96 Bowman, Shane 60 Brostek, Shane 40 Brown, Gerran 3 Browning, Jake 77 Burleson, Devin 25 Burr-Kirven, Ben 22 Bush, Dustin 11 Carta-Samuels, K.J. 49 Carty, A.J. 76 Charles, Dexter 57 Clark, John 35 Clay, Brian 22 Coleman, Lavon 34 Constantine, Sean 6 Cooper, Deontae 55 Crane, Dane 15 Daniels, Darrell 98 Dissly, Will 34 Dotson, Jomon 87 Dunivin, Forrest 45 Durkee, Korey 52 Eldrenkamp, Jake 41 Feeney, Travis 95 Finau, Jarett 69 Fuavai, Cory 99 Gaines, Greg 3 Gardenhire, Darren 89 Gardner, John 9 Gaskin, Myles 93 Griffin, Connor 16 Hall, Marvin 70 Hilbers, Jared 94 Hunter, Derek 51 Hutchison, Luke 71 James, Matt 92 Johnson, Jaylen 20 Jones, Jamon 26 Jones, Sidney 4 Joyner, Austin 20 King, Kevin 40 Kinne, Ralph 73 Kirkland, Andrew 67 Kneip, Michael 47 Lawyer, Scott 81 Lenius, Brayden 19 Lewis, Brandon 5 Lindquist, Jeff 28 Little, Nik 42 Littleton, Cory 30 Manu, Kyler 46 Masel, Ryan 5 Mathis, Joe 13 McClatcher, Chico 91 McCoy, Ricky 30 McDaniel, Gavin 58 McGary, Kaleb 14 McIntosh, JoJo 1 Mickens, Jaydon 23 Miller, Jordan 84 Neal, Michael 29 O'Brien, Connor 86 Parson, Taelon 82 Perkins, Joshua 8 Pettis, Dante 8 Potoa'e, Benning 21 Pounds, Quinten 54 Preston, Matt 56 Pulu, Jared 11 Qualls, Elijah 29 Rasmussen, Josh 18 Renfro, Isaiah 80 Richmond, Max 59 Roberts, Henry 10 Rodriguez, Tony 1 Ross, John 83 Salukhe, Neel 88 Sample, Drew 38 Schuh, Hayden 97 Scrempos, Jason 79 Shelton, Coleman 75 Sosebee, Jesse 37 Sterk, Bryce 65 Tufunga, Siosifa 90 Tupou, Taniela 24 Turner, Ezekiel 74 Turner, John 66 Turpin, Damion 81 Valerio, Sebastian 48 Van Winkle, Cameron 50 Vea, Vita 39 Vergara, Sean 36 Victor, Azeem 43 Vizcaino, Tristan 27 Walker, Trevor 53 Wambaugh, Jake 10 Warren, Jusstis 12 Washington, Dwayne 28 Wooching, Psalm

Pos. OL TE WR DB LB DB LB WR QB DB LB DL OL LB QB OL LB DB QB LS OL DL DB TB LB TB OL TE DL TB WR P OL LB DL OL DL DB WR TB TE WR OL TE LS OL DL WR DB DB DB TB OL OL LB WR DB QB WR OLB LB LS DL WR DL TB OL DB WR DB TE LB WR TE WR DL WR LB DL DL WR WR WR OL QB WR WR TE DB DL OL OL DL OL DL DB OL DL PK PK DL DB LB PK/P DB LB LB TB OLB

Ht. 6-7 6-5 5-9 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-7 6-0 5-9 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-4 6-4 5-10 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-9 6-4 5-10 6-6 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-5 5-10 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-2 5-7 6-2 5-8 6-7 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-1 5-11 6-1 5-9 6-5 6-3 5-11 5-11 6-4 6-0 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-4

Wt. 302 250 160 178 218 196 211 197 214 181 220 273 305 214 206 302 201 171 220 270 313 260 207 222 225 200 294 241 277 174 217 247 296 226 274 316 310 185 195 192 235 190 287 225 225 285 260 227 178 186 183 214 307 302 232 220 186 245 205 227 225 220 252 176 307 188 302 196 170 163 229 238 192 226 185 270 170 213 225 311 173 207 178 287 185 192 175 245 207 280 293 311 234 314 288 206 289 276 150 184 340 178 240 205 188 220 239 226 236

Yr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. RFr. So. RFr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. RFr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. RFr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. RFr. So. RFr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. So. So. RFr. RFr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Sr. So. RFr. Jr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. RFr. RFr. RFr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. RFr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. RFr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. RFr. Jr. Fr. So. RFr. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. RFr. Jr. Fr. Jr. RFr. RFr. So. So. Jr. RFr. Fr. Jr. Jr.

Hometown Wenatchee, Wash.

Shelton, Wash.

Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Bellevue Cheyenne, Wyo. Compton, Calif.

Culver City, Calif.

Spokane Mukilteo, Wash.

Woodinville, Wash.

Carson, Calif.

Bellevue Kamuela, Hawai'i Santa Ana, Calif.

Granite Bay, Calif.

Palmdale, Calif.

Menlo Park, Calif.

San Diego, Calif.

Saratoga, Calif.

Santa Ana, Calif.

Camano Island, Wash.

Marysville, Wash.

Vacaville, Calif.

Lompoc, Calif.

Hunts Point, Wash.

Perris, Calif.

Irvine, Calif.

Pittsburg, Calif.

Bozeman, Mont.

Amer. Canyon, Calif.

Las Flores, Calif.

Gig Harbor, Wash.

Medina, Wash.

Richmond, Calif.

Kirkland, Wash.

Auburn, Wash.

La Habra, Calif.

Long Beach, Calif.

Woodinville, Wash.

Lynnwood, Wash.

Lake Oswego, Ore. Los Angeles, Calif.

Beaverton, Ore. Portola Valley, Calif.

Carnation, Wash.

Coeur d'Alene Corona, Calif.

Spanaway, Wash.

Diamond Bar, Calif.

Marysville, Wash.

Oakland, Calif.

Shelton, Wash.

Portland Bellevue San Jose, Calif.

North Vancouver, B.C. Rancho Murieta, Calif.

Mercer Island, Wash.

Newport Beach, Calif.

Spring Valley, Calif.

Pocatello, Idaho Phoenix, Ariz.

Ontario, Calif.

Federal Way, Wash.

Fresno, Calif.

Coppell, Texas Fife, Wash.

Canyon Country, Calif.

Los Angeles Oceanside, Calif.

Fontana, Calif.

Trabuco Canyon, Calif.

Gilbert, Ariz.

Cerritos, Calif.

San Clemente, Calif.

DuPont, Wash.

Cypress, Calif.

Corona, Calif.

Federal Way, Wash.

Petaluma, Calif.

Lake Stevens, Wash.

Los Angeles Bellevue Bellevue Stockton, Calif.

Long Beach, Calif.

San Jose, Calif.

Bellevue Vancouver, Wash.

Milpitas, Calif.

Pasadena, Calif.

Garden Grove, Calif.

Lynden, Wash.

Long Beach, Calif.

Marysville, Wash.

Pasadena, Md. Los Angeles Compton, Calif.

Irvine, Calif.

Fall City, Wash.

Milpitas, Calif.

Selah, Wash.

Upland, Calif.

Chino Hills, Calif.

Arlington, Texas San Diego, Calif.

Tacoma Lakewood, Calif.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Washington Huskies

NOT LIKE OLD DAYS

Associated Press

Junior offensive lineman Shane Brostek is the one link to UW’s glory days. His father, Bern, was an All-Pac-10 lineman in 1989.

UW tries to recapture old formula for quality offensive lines

By John Blanchette Correspondent

The Quarterback derby

F

or all the mystery over who might be the alpha dog at the University of Washington this season, there’s a much larger question.

Fifteen hundred pounds worth.

Finding the right five guys to prop up in front of quarterbacks Jeff Lindquist or K.J. Carta-Samuels or, especially, prized freshman Jake Browning, in fact, will factor into which passer coach Chris Petersen decides is right for the job. It could also decide whether the Huskies tread water in this season of transition or play Pac-12 bottom feeder.

UW’s offensive line is among the least experienced in school history, with just 14 career starts among a dozen or so candidates.

“It’s not going to be one of those years when you know going in who the top five guys are,” said offensive line coach Chris Strausser, “and we may not know for a month.”

There are capable players on board.

But as history reveals, capable has become a relative term in the context of the Huskies O-line.

The Huskies have pulled themselves out of the competitive disaster that was the mid-2000s, but they’ve still finished in the Top 25 just once since 2001. And nothing quite illustrates the program’s tumble quite like a few offensive line facts. Consider: G In the last 15 seasons, the Huskies have just three first-team all-conference offensive linemen – none since 2001. The previous 15 seasons (1985-99) saw nine players so honored, three of them twice.

G Fourteen Huskies were selected in the NFL Draft in the 1990s, 11 if later rounds since lopped off aren’t included. Since then? Five, and just one since 2006.

G Only four UW linemen since 2000 have appeared in an NFL game, and 116 of the 120 starts belong to one man, Khalif Barnes. In the previous 15 seasons, ex-Huskies at the position played in more than 1,500 NFL games, made 1,061 starts and accounted for nine Pro Bowl appearances.

The other record is more familiar: UW was 118-56 from 1985-99, and is 87-99 since.

A week before the opener, Petersen still hadn’t announced a starting QB, telling reporters “we’re not there” and allowing that he might use two.

Whoever he uses will be raw. Jeff Lindquist (below, right) got one start last year, plus some occasional Wildcat duty, K.J. Carta-Samuels is a redshirt freshman and heralded Jake Browning a full-on newbie. Browning (left) is likely the QB of the future, but just how fast that future arrives, no one knows.

Back to Boise

The stars are out

It’s a given: coach leaves for another job, finds his old school on the schedule. A year has passed since Chris Petersen made the jump from Boise State to UW, but he’s still finding the fact that the Huskies and Broncos play on Sept.

4 “awkward” and is anything but jazzed about having to answer questions about it. More awkward: UW is a 11.5 point underdog.

Out of the defensive lineup, that is.

What often kept the Huskies afloat last year was spectacular play by its top-shelf defensive players – tackle Danny Shelton and LBs Shaq Thompson and Hau’oli Kikaha. Replacing playmakers is a crucial component – the Huskies will need to avoid a defensive dip to take the pressure off an offense with a new QB and line.

If it all starts with the big guys up front, it’s understandable why the Huskies’ return to prominence has had so much trouble getting started.

Former UW head coach – and, previous to that, line coach – Keith Gilbertson pinpointed the line of demarcation.

“Too much changeover,” said Gilbertson, who now lives in Hayden, Idaho, and is part of UW’s pregame radio team. “When you got away from the Dan James and Jim Lambright message and the way you recruited, it’s never been quite the same.

“With coach James, if there was a scholarship left over or being unused, it was always, ‘Is there an offensive lineman out there somebody’s overlooked?’ It was a great environment for big guys there.”

Gilbertson thinks that Strausser, who arrived last year with Petersen after extended service at Boise State, is making strides in restoring that environment – and there are some intriguing pieces.

One is junior Shane Brostek. He’s a link back to the hothouse days of developing linemen at UW – father

COUGARS

Continued from T2 field by substituting a linebacker for an additional defensive back.

baited breath after the angsts of 2014, in which the Cougars missed six field goals, costing them at least one win, and watched opposing return men score six touchdowns.

Kicker Erik Powell looks stronger and more accurate in practice, but it will likely take a few made kicks in the early games to calm the fans.

Overcoming kicking woes Cougars fans perhaps forgot the anxiety that normally accompanies a kicker’s run-up to the holder or tee during the four-year tenure of Andrew Furney. But they will wait with

End of the Seattle game For just the second time since 2002, every WSU home football game will be played in Pullman.

Bern was an All-Pac-10 player in 1989 and an eight-year pro. But he’s also part of the more recent legacy of fitful line development, having been thrown into a starting role as a freshman in 2012, slipping back in 2013 and finally redshirting last year.

“He probably wasn’t ready and has been playing catch up,” Strausser said.

“There’s just so much to be gained by redshirting that first year.”

Coeur d’Alene’s Matt James did, and now he’s battling with another redshirt freshman, Kaleb McGary, at right tackle. But there are exceptions: massive Trey Adams of Wenatchee is the most talked about lineman in camp, and could see action just months removed from his prom.

It’s a college football truism that the offensive line is the toughest position to recruit – generally, because it’s all about projection and how a player’s attributes translate from what may be a completely foreign high school system. Gilbertson, however, isn’t convinced.

“To me, a top quarterback is the hardest to nail down,” he said. “With offensive lineman, the problem is finding enough of them. You have to create depth, and if you sign just two or three a year, that’s going to catch up with you.”

He knows. Before his predecessor, Rick Neuheisel, was fired in June 2003, he signed just three offensive linemen in that year’s class – and only two of the four signed in 2002 panned out. Those soon became significant shortcomings.

There are coaching and development issues, too. Gilbertson noted that, “Everybody throws now and kids can pass block, but the ability to create a low pad level and come up through a defender and finish a block is a little bit of a lost art.”

With a line as young as the 2015 Huskies, just making sure they know which way to turn is a challenge.

Strausser knows having a quarterback just as inexperienced magnifies the pressure.

“That’s very true, but at the end of the day our guys aren’t thinking that way,” he said. “It’s just so much about doing their job. That there’s a freshman standing behind them, they might not even know.”

The Cougars tired of the so-called Seattle game, in which WSU scheduled one home game per season at CenturyLink Field in Seattle to serve its west-side alumni and broaden its fan base.

The game was also a moneymaker for WSU; Moos said that the 2012 game against Oregon netted roughly twice what it would have in Martin Stadium. But interest and attendance in the Seattle game dwindled, and the Cougars felt the effects of giving up a game in front of its Pullman crowd, losing the last six games in their home away from home.

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

No. Name 99 Allison, Scott 15 Amos, Gunnar 15 Antoine, Glen 92 Ayers, Kaylyn 30 Bafus, Zach 95 Ballard, Brett 34 Bamis, Jack 25 Banks, Desmond 37 Boatman, Alex 19 Boston, Jante 43 Bradley, Quinton 24 Brantley, Denzal 80 Burch, Lamar 90 Cable, Zach 39 Clark, Dorian 48 Claypool, Jack 3 Coles, Kareem 20 Coman, Doug 13 Cowan, Trent ‘Buck’ 70 Dixon, Zion 23 Duckworth, Aaron 24 Edwards, Chris 8 Edwards, Ryan 81 Ellingson, Josh 3 Elliss, Kaden 1 Epps, Dezmon 60 Erbes, Andrew 69 Fawkes, Kato 52 Fenlason, Sam 54 Flores, Brandon 27 Frysinger, Jordan 88 Garner, Michael 21 Grabski, Jordan 18 Greene, Kahshan 91 Hale, Eric 50 Hall, Ed 84 Hamilton, Micah 2 Hampton, D.J. 93 Hatfield, Justin 14 Hawkins, Armond 22 Hazewood, Leonard 6 Hightower, Callen 20 Hoiness, Nolan 47 Hyde, Luke 19 Jackson, Garren 7 Johnson, Jermaine 72 Johnson, Patrick 31 Johnson, Terry 12 Jones, Emmanuel 4 Jordan, Jayshawn 73 Keating, Jed 33 Lashley, Tony 51 LeCorre, Patrick 41 Liles, Darius 10 Linehan, Matt 40 Linehan, Mike 44 Lupeamanu, Tueni 14 Luton, Jake 29 Mahoney, Connor 45 Manley, Jake 61 Matlock, Steven 77 Mauseth, Tanner 23 Millan, Marc 86 Moore, Danny 26 Mwehla, Rueben 22 Penny, Elijhaa 75 Peterson, Darius 58 Phillips, Austin 32 Pue, Aaron 4 Pugh, Calvary 5 Rehkow, Austin 49 Rooks, Avery 76 Rose, Jordan 57 Ryan, Jacob 55 Sandberg, Dallas 8 Sannon, Jacob 21 Saunders, Isaiah 82 Schmidt, Will 13 Shelton, Kevin 11 Siavii, Russell 11 Smith, Khalin 27 Smith, Quincy 38 Strodtbeck, Brady 94 Stuart, John 7 Sule, Doyin 71 Suto, Joshua 35 Tate, Jack 1 Taylor, Isaiah 62 Thrasher, Colton 66 Travillion, Jeff 6 Trotter, Kendrick 2 Ungerer, David 83 Watson, Deon 10 Westlake, Broc 63 White, Calvin 5 White, Kevin 96 Whitesitt, Gavin 98 Wideen, Garrett 28 Williams, Cole 36 Williams, Elijah 46 Williamson, Bryce 79 Wiltz, Devin 12 Woodin, A.J 67 Woods, Mason 87 Wynn, Achilles

Pos. DE QB DL DE LB DL RB S OL WR DE RB WR DL DB TE QB RB TE OL RB LB DL WR LB WR OL OL OL K/P DB WR DB DB DE LB WR S DE CB LB WR CB FB DL WR OL DB LB CB OL LB K/P LB QB LB DL QB RB FB OL OL LB TE WR RB OL OL LB RB K/P LB OL LB OL WR RB TE DL S TE RB FB DL DB OL S CB DL OL CB WR TE LB OL DE DE LS DB CB LB OL QB OL WR

Ht. 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-0 5-9 6-3 6-3 6-0 5-10 6-3 6-0 5-9 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-1 5-8 6-3 6-4 5-8 6-2 6-3 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-4 6-5 5-9 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-4 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-2 5-9 6-2 5-9 6-6 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-6 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-8 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-6 6-3 5-7 5-9 6-3 6-2 6-6 5-8 6-5 5-11 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-5 5-6 6-0 6-4 6-2 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-3 5-11 5-8 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-1 5-9 5-10 6-7 5-10 6-9 5-11

Wt. 244 191 325 261 207 228 205 206 245 165 259 213 162 265 182 239 189 174 224 313 201 215 323 164 216 175 313 303 190 210 193 170 189 168 237 209 175 188 229 209 241 177 192 229 225 202 291 164 201 185 298 236 185 230 214 227 305 220 178 243 270 275 221 199 187 234 302 287 193 172 208 209 322 221 305 191 228 222 265 208 245 201 244 272 184 262 199 183 308 301 176 171 222 235 298 263 202 195 198 198 214 317 199 336 188

Yr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. RSo. RFr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. So. RFr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. RFr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. RFr. Fr. Jr. Sr. RFr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. RFr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. RFr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. RFr. So. So. RJr. Jr. Jr. RSo. Jr. Sr. Fr. RSo. Jr. RFr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. RJr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. RFr. Fr. Jr. RFr. RJr. Jr.

Hometown Midvale, Idaho Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Round Rock, Texas Fremont, Calif.

Troy, Idaho Eagle, Idaho Spokane Salt Lake City Lewiston, Idaho Jacksonville, Florida San Antonio, Texas Los Alamitos, Calif.

Decatur, Ala. Renton, Wash.

Jacksonville, Fla. Spokane San Diego, CA Woodland, Calif.

Camas, Wash.

Coeur d’ Alene, ID Orange Park, Fla. Detroit, Mich.

Long Beach, Calif.

Orting, Wash.

Salt Lake City Sacramento, Calif.

Scottsdale, Ariz.

Freeport, Bahamas San Diego, Calif.

Canyon Country, Calif.

Corning, New York San Diego, Calif.

Bradenton, Fla. East Palo Alto, Calif.

Orlando, Fl Chugiak, Alaska Woodinville, Wash.

Atlanta, GA Fallon, Nev. Ran. Cucamonga, Calif.

Sacramento, Calif.

Loganville, Ga. Hoquiam, Wash.

Emmett, Idaho Carson, Calif.

Houma, La. Phoenix, Ariz.

New Orleans, La. Roosevelt, N.Y. Seattle, Wash.

Colville, Wash.

Kansas City, Mo. Edina, Minn.

Visalia, CA Orchard Lake, Mich.

Highland Park, TX Herriman, Utah Lake Stevens, Wash.

Bremerton, Wash.

Riggins, Idaho Boise, ID Pocatello, ID Mission Viejo, Calif.

Boise, Idaho Bellevue, Wash.

Lakewood, Calif.

Salina, Kan. Bend, Oregon Buckeye, Ariz.

West Palm Beach, FL Spokane Sedro-Woolley, WA Spokane Mountain Home, Idaho Prescott Valley, Ariz.

Bradenton, Fla. Elk Grove, Calif.

Seattle, Wash.

Auburn, Wash.

Wahaiwa, Hawai’i Vallejo, CA New Orleans Boise, Idaho Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Fullerton, Calif.

Sandpoint, Idaho Boise, Idaho Sacramento, Calif.

Auburn, Washington Pflugerville, Texas Patterson, Calif.

Pullman Coeur d’Alene Sparks, Nev. Marysville, Wash Philadelphia, Pa. Rathdrum, Idaho Fontana, Calif.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Idaho Falls, Idaho Spokane New Orleans, La. Beaverton, Oregon Port Coquitlam, B.C. Burlington, Wash.

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Idaho Vandals

BROTHERHOOD

JOE PALLEN UI Photo Services

Dallas Sandberg wasn’t considered tough enough at first, but has developed into a mainstay on the Idaho line.

Sandberg brothers develop incredible bond during trying times

By Sean Kramer Correspondent

D

allas Sandberg’s pregame ritual will be the same as it’s always been tonight as Idaho kicks off its season against Ohio. He’ll run out of the tunnel and take a look to his right.

There, about halfway up section 18, adjacent to the 30-yard line, will be his older brother, Corey Sandberg, waiting to acknowledge and give him

a look of reassurance.

“Every home game he sits in exactly the same spot, I know exactly where he sits,” Sandberg said of his older brother.

Corey Sandberg has Dallas Sandberg occupied that seat for every Idaho home game each of the last two seasons.

Throughout that time he’s watched the younger Sandberg, now a

fifth-year senior, grow into a steady presence on Idaho’s offensive line.

Names like Mike Marboe, Jesse Davis and Steven Matlock have become the household offensive line names mentioned by most Idaho fans.

Sandberg is quietly beginning his fourth consecutive season as a starter on Idaho’s interior offensive line.

Matlock, a junior center, is the leader of the offensive line unit, while sophomore and Freeman-native Jordan Rose is lauded as arguably the

most talented member of the unit.

But it’s Sandberg who stands as the only returning senior to an offensive line desperate to improve on allowing quarterback Matt Linehan to be sacked 39 times in 11 games.

Sandberg leads all returning offensive linemen with 23 career appearances for the Vandals. Corey Sandberg has been there every step in the way, including in Dallas’ first two See VANDALS, T22

Name Brandyn Bangsund Conner Baumann Kody Beckering Henderson Belk Curtis Billen Spencer Blackburn T.J. Boatright Kendrick Bourne Zach Bruce Beau Byus Kurt Calhoun Frank Cange Colin Cossette Cassidy Curtis Jordan Dascalo Trevor Davis Jr. Clay DeBord Jay Deines David Delgado Dre’ Sonte Dorton Zach Eagle Samson Ebukam Nick Ellison Mitch Fettig Austin Flynn Nick Foerstel Jake Gall Victor Gamboa Jayce Gilder Thomas Gomez Terence Grady Will Gram Gage Gubrud Dehonta Hayes Reilly Hennessey Shaq Hill Keegen Hlad Jake Hoffman Jack Hunter Sam Inos Terry Jackson II Jerrod Jones Jonah Jordan Alek Kacmarcik Cole Karstetter Andrew Katzenberger Ashanti Kindle Jared Klingenberg John Kreifels Cooper Kupp Ketner Kupp Dylan Ledbetter Kaleb Levao Josh Lewis Andre Lino Levi Long Codi McGuire Tyler McNannay Sam McPherson Matt Meyer Jalen Moore Aaron Neary Asan Neil-Evergin J.J. Njoku Jalani Phelps Tysen Prunty Ben PuaPuaga Todd Raynes Moe Roberts Monike Sarte Marcus Saugen Nic Sblendorio Chris Schlichting Jack Sendelbach Savion Simms Matthew Sommer Stu Stiles Jakob Stoll Tristen Taylor Jay-Tee Tiuli Jim Townsend D’londo Tucker Rashad Wadood Miles Weatheroy Nzuzi Webster Simba Webster Jordan West Jayson Williams Keenan Williams Malcom Williams Jr. Jabari Wilson Zach Wimberly Jake Withnell Miquiyah Zamora Andrew Zimmerman

Pos. K DL LB TE LS OL OL WR DB TE LB DB RB OL P LB OL OL OL WR WR DL OL DB WR DL LB DB TE OL WR OL QB DB QB WR WR DB OL DB TE/LS OL DL LB DB LB RB TE LB WR LB DL DL DB DL OL OL K/P RB OL RB OL DB DB WR DB OL DB DB DL DL WR OL LB DB DL WR DL OL DL DL DB DB DB DB WR QB WR DL RB RB TE TE LB QB

Ht. 5-11 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-5 6-3 5-10 6-5 6-2 5-9 6-0 6-7 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-4 6-3 5-10 5-8 6-3 6-7 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-4 5-11 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-4 5-9 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-7 6-3 6-1 5-10 6-5 5-10 6-4 5-9 5-9 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-5 6-3 5-7 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-4 6-1 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-2

Wt. 185 230 190 230 230 280 290 190 190 235 210 170 210 305 220 210 305 290 310 170 165 240 270 175 210 220 215 180 225 295 200 275 195 195 200 180 190 170 285 175 235 295 250 205 180 220 200 245 205 195 210 250 290 170 265 280 260 175 190 310 195 300 175 200 185 190 310 210 180 290 210 190 275 215 150 310 170 260 310 315 230 170 185 190 170 170 220 190 260 175 200 240 245 220 205

Yr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. So. So. So. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr.

Hometown Kent, Wash.

Bellevue, Wash.

Fresno, Calif.

Mukilteo, Wash.

Everett Bellingham, Wash.

Vancouver, Wash.

Portland Spokane Spokane Zillah, Wash.

Renton, Wash.

Kent, Wash.

Denver, Colo.

Los Angeles Tumwater, Wash.

Asotin, Wash.

Issaquah, Wash.

Am. Canyon, Calif.

Pasco, Wash.

Camas, Wash.

Portland Moscow, Idaho Olympia Spokane Valley Tumwater, Wash.

Cle Elum, Wash.

Tacoma Corvallis, Mont.

Graham, Wash.

Kent, Wash.

Troy, Idaho McMinnville, Ore. Tacoma Camas, Wash.

Stockton, Calif.

Salem, Ore. Spokane Spokane Tigard, Ore. Sacramento Arlington, Wash.

Spokane Woodinville, Wash.

Spokane Lynnwood, Wash.

Puyallup, Wash.

Carnation, Wash.

Modesto, Calif.

Yakima, Wash.

Yakima, Wash.

West Seattle Aberdeen, Wash.

Lakewood, Wash.

Seattle Salem, Ore. Riverside, Calif.

Colfax, Wash.

Bothell, Wash.

Lynden, Wash.

La Puente, Calif.

Richland, Wash.

Olympia Tacoma Lynden, Wash.

Beaverton, Ore. Tacoma Kenmore, Wash.

Cashmere, Wash.

Fife, Wash.

Spokane Sammamish, Wash.

North Bend, Wash.

Seattle Fresno, Calif.

Salem, Ore. Spokane Wenatchee, Wash.

Stockton, Calif.

Seattle Okanogan, Wash.

Federal Way, Wash.

Long Beach, Calif.

Portland Antioch, Calif.

Antioch, Calif.

Maple Valley, Wash.

Tacoma Cheney, Wash.

Fresno, Calif.

Carson, Calif.

Tumwater, Wash.

Salem, Ore. Pasco, Wash.

Monroe, Wash.

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31 48 44 10 40 57 97 19 55 77 50 76 20 70 28 72 24 36 83 38 67 4 23 98 93 7 64 52 30 94 81 56 65 99 68 18 21 8 6 22 5 14 90 33 2 9 82 49 16

No. 51 46 47 85 39 75 73 11 32 95 59 3 42 79 45 41 78 61 58 87 80 91 74 13 87 92 43 27 96 66 88 69 15 26 12 1 86 17 63 34 89 60 53 35 37

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Eastern Washington Eagles

Eagles prepare to offset loss of quickness

By Jim Allen Follow EWU Eagles sports reporter Jim Allen on Twitter for updates @SRJimAllen

jima@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5437

Last year, the Eagles could count on the elusiveness of All-American Vernon Adams Jr. at quarterback. Now the reins are in the hands of dropback passer Jordan West.

Similarly, it was speedy Quincy Forte and Mario Brown at running back. This year, the ball will be in the hands of Jabari Wilson and Jalen Moore, who offer more power but less shiftiness than their predecessors.

A loss of quickness in the backfield could make the Eagles less explosive and more predictable.

On the other hand, the coaches installed an offense that coach Beau Baldwin said “should make us tougher to defend.”

In West, a former walk-on, the Eagles have a

veteran quarterback (he started four games last year when Adams has hurt), who stands tall in the pocket (he’s 6-foot-4, after all), with deceptive speed and an arm that some say is stronger than Adams’.

West’s numbers last year were solid: 86 for 142 for 1,072 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception.

There’s more uncertainty at running back. Both Wilson and Moore have missed significant time to injury and haven’t been a factor in the passing game, but have come through with big games in the clutch. Moore took the pressure off West in the

latter’s first start, going off for a career-high 133 yards at Southern Utah. A few weeks later, Wilson had a career day in the regular-season finale at Portland State, gaining 124 yards in Adams’ first game back from injury.

The new 4-2-5 defense The biggest change this year comes on defense, in the form of new coordinator Jeff Schmedding and the switch to a 4-2-5 defense.

The change from a 4-3 is a response to past playoff failures, when opponents (notably Sam Houston State in 2012 and Illinois State last year) “spread us out,” according to coach Beau Baldwin.

Schmedding installed the new scheme last winter, and by all accounts, the players and staff have See EAGLES, T22

DAN PELLE danp@spokesman.com

When Eastern Washington offensive line coach Aaron Best talks (or yells), you can bet every offensive lineman at practice is listening.

NOTHING BUT THE BEST room. To his players, he’s a teacher, a drill sergeant, a surrogate father and a friend, in varying doses depending on the athlete – and his ego. That ego gets deflated in the first fall camp, but Best is careful “not to take all the air out, because the next year you may have to lean on them.”

That was the case in 2011. The Eagles were coming off an FCS national title, but lost their first four games partly because most of the starting offensive linemen were injured.

“You want a level of confidence … you need to know your players, how they tick,” Best said.

EWU line coach understands how to teach

By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5437

F

ootball is full of teachable moments, which is why Aaron Best joined this business in the first place.

At a recent Eastern Washington practice, the Eagles’ offensive line coach had barely stepped on the field when he noticed a receiver’s telltale body shift.

“Now everybody knows you’re going to run a bubble screen,” Best deadpanned. “Am I right?”

A few seconds later, the receiver changed his stance in silent admission of the truth: that Best was right. Again.

Even deep in the trenches, there’s no place to hide from the truth, because that’s where Best has lived for most of his 37 years.

Says Eastern senior tackle Clay DeBord, “If you make a mistake, you know you’re going to hear about it – not just in football, but in life.”

And that’s the whole point. In the scheme of things, football is just a practicum in pads, and Best is the right guy to teach it. Cerebral and salty, he delivers his message with crystal clarity.

“You can see the teaching qualities,” EWU coach Beau Baldwin says. “He has 16 to 20 guys, but he can engage them all.”

“The best coaches are teachers,” Baldwin says. “It isn’t how much you know, it’s how well you can convey what you know.”

The Tacoma native has become a fixture since arriving in Cheney in the fall of 1996. He eventually started 22 straight games at center, earning all-conference honors on the field and in the classroom. And except for one year in the Canadian Football League, he’s never left.

After giving due respect to EWU

Hard work pays off DAN PELLE danp@spokesman.com

Aaron Best has been around EWU football since 1996 as a player and a coach.

Head coach Beau Baldwin calls him “the face of Eastern football.”

coaching legend Dick Zornes, Baldwin way, “that’s not an attaboy” for the said that “Right now, Aaron Best is the offensive line, Best said.

Conversely, a blind-side sack may face of Eastern football.” be the result of a running back missing This time of year, that face is a blocking assignment in the backfield. covered on top by old ball cap and on “From the stands you see the bottom by unshaven the big picture … we see the stubble. Even on the little picture, the tight hottest days, he wears a angle,” Best says, jacket, his arms folded as confirming the old adage he appraises every stance, that the quarterback every shift, because that’s Predicted usually gets more praise where games are won or Finish order and blame than he lost.

1. EWU deserves.

2. Montana St. For all coaches, the devil Love is on the line 3. Cal Poly is in the details, and the Just ask them: 4. Montana hours spent sorting them Offensive linemen are the 5. Idaho St. out.

With film sessions, most underappreciated 6. No. Arizona meetings and practices, and misunderstood 7. Sac. St. Best reckons he works 80 to players on the football 8. So. Utah 90 hours a week during a field.

9. Weber St. season – standard fare in Says DeBord, “Your 10. UC Davis this business but average fan, they don’t pay 11. N. Dakota overwhelming for most attention to what we’re 12. No. Colo. people. doing.” To the guy in the 13. Portland St. “I don’t wear a watch, but stands, good plays happen if I did, I wouldn’t be one of because the quarterback those guys who’s looking at it all the made the right read; disaster strikes time,” Best said. “If you want because the O-line broke down. greatness, you can’t like this job – you It isn’t that simple. A running back have to love it.” can pick up 12 yards, but if he evaded The job goes far beyond the meeting two unblocked linebackers along the

The results are startling. Last year, the line blocked for an offense that broke school and Big Sky Conference records with 618 points and 84 touchdowns.

Among the All-Americans coached

by Best are Michael Roos, Jake Rodgers, Chris Powers, Gabe Jackson and Matt Alfred. In the last 22 years, the 23 Eagle O-linemen earned All-America honors while winning 24 first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors.

“I was very lucky to have the best offensive line coach possible in Aaron Best,” Roos said after having his EWU jersey retired at EWU in 2009.

“He taught all of us the meaning of hard work and perseverance,” Roos said.

Perseverance extends beyond the field, where Best is the Eagles’ academic coordinator. He downplays his role – “I’m more of a reminder guy,” he says – but he’s helped the team surpass a 3.0 grade-point average.

Most incoming freshmen don’t think that far ahead, but Best does.

Since the Eagles coaches divide recruiting geographically and not by position, his new linemen might not be familiar with Best and his past successes.

“You may not know me, but you know what the results are,” Best said.

“If you just give yourself to us, truly give yourself, you’ll be better off.”

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

No. 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 10 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 75 76 77 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98

Name Pos. Jonathan Jun RB LJ Benson DB Matt Keenan QB Garrett McKay WR Michael McKeown WR Nick Neely DB De’ Hall DB Kevin Thomas QB/WR Bryce Powers WR Anthony Fullman WR Kelvin Mackey DB Mason Elms WR Ben Stockdale DB Jonah Koski QB Clayton Farr DB Matt Pulliam QB Chase Takaki WR Justin Sego DB Ian Kolste QB Connor Tangeman LB Jerrell Norman DB Griffin Hare RB Kyle Brownell RB Riley Ramos DB Caleb Mathena DB Taylor Roelofs DB Duke DeGaetano RB Danny Welstad DE Jordan Pride DB Matt Wetzel DB TJ Jensen DB Kyle Ditter LB Brian Lee LB Isaac Cey LB Caleb Garza RB JT Phelan LB Jordan Holmes DB Chase Copenhaver LB Robert Thullen PK/P Jake Geldbach DB Cade Foisset TE Dalin McDonnell LB Alex Myrick LB Casey Bond RB Neil Wagner LB Ryan Cole DE Matthew Langbehn RB Daniel Portillo DL Weston Kroes LB Mac Shaw DE Damon Davis LB Heath Waechter DE Justin Maxwell LB Patch Kulp LB Tyler Adamson OL Blake Thoren LB Luke Peterson LB Noah Schultz-Rathbun OL William Benbrook OL Jacob Hubbard OL Tevyn Stevenson DT Carlos Moiza DE Michael Cruciotti OL Casey Martin OL Vince Porporato OL Joe Schweiger DL Cameron Coy OL Austin Brownell OL Joe Beattie OL Kyle Cosby OL Jonathan Gelstin OL Conor Weise OL Jameson Johnson OL Spencer Lipke OL Tanner Conroy OL Jacob Elder DL Trevor Woodall OL John-Robert Woolley WR Grant Faylor WR Garette Kanamu TE Nick Kiourkas WR Zach Fairhart TE Rehn Riley PK Luke Divis WR Rip Pahukoa WR Cody Hand WR Christopher Forrest WR Brad Benton DE Chase Wilcutt DE Chad Wilburg DE Mitchell Howard DE Andrew Knox LS Zach Stroh OL Aaron Powe DE Teigan Glidewell DL P-Jay Solomon DT

Ht. 5-5 5-11 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-7 5-7 6-3 5-11 6-2 5-9 5-7 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-3 5-9 5-9 6-1 6-1 6-0 5-11 5-9 5-7 5-10 6-2 5-10 6-4 5-10 5-11 5-9 6-0 5-10 5-8 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-2 5-7 5-11 6-2 6-1 5-9 6-2 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-4 5-10 6-2 6-2 5-8 6-1 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-11 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-3 5-10 6-7 6-2 6-4 6-5 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 5-9 6-2 6-3 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-0 6-0

Wt. 163 182 193 174 172 184 158 187 197 210 190 167 194 210 195 215 180 147 188 212 176 197 180 173 201 194 193 240 161 178 172 190 210 182 212 202 196 200 190 186 194 206 206 201 210 230 188 220 195 218 241 221 221 215 255 205 220 260 201 242 271 215 280 308 275 235 252 260 245 305 271 244 247 280 260 295 260 181 157 255 211 225 182 166 214 191 190 250 226 241 220 178 202 235 265 273

Yr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. So. So. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Fr. So. So. So. Jr. So. So. Fr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Fr.

Hometown La Crescenta, Calif.

Spokane Valley Spokane Tacoma Post Falls Lynnwood, Wash.

Las Vegas Spokane Puyallup, Wash.

Irvine, Calif.

Lynwood, Calif.

Sedro-Wool., Wash.

Vantage, Wash.

Bend, Ore. Ridgefield, Wash.

Spokane Kona, Hawaii San Clemente, Calif.

Oak Harbor, Wash.

Spokane Las Vegas, Nev. Spokane Yelm, Wash.

Tacoma Kent, Wash.

Tacoma Bend, Ore. Gig Harbor, Wash.

Oakland, Calif.

Spokane Poulsbo, Wash.

Selah, Wash.

Sherwood, Ore. Spokane Othello, Wash.

Spokane Colorado Springs Mil.-Freewater, Ore. Tulare, Calif.

Spokane Bend, Ore. East Wenatchee Royal City, Wash.

Olympia Beaverton, Ore. Tacoma Hillsboro, Ore. Gig Harbor, Wash.

Yakima, Wash.

Ranier, Wash.

Puyallup, Wash.

Kellogg, Idaho Spanaway, Wash.

Santa Clarita, Calif.

Oak Harbor, Wash.

Nampa, Idaho Gig Harbor, Wash.

Hockinson, Wash.

Yelm, Wash.

Eugene, Ore. Olympia Olympia Elizabeth, Colo.

Fullerton, Calif.

Aptos, Calif.

Spokane Chewelah, Wash.

Yelm, Wash.

Issaquah, Wash.

Spokane Valley Pateros, Wash.

Othello, Wash.

Silverdale, Wash.

Snohomish, Wash.

Spokane Orting, Wash.

Coeur d’Alene Mill Creek, Wash.

San Jose, Calif.

Pearl City, Hawaii Spokane Morton, Wash.

Moses Lake, Wash.

Brewster, Wash.

Wailuku, Hawaii Kennewick, Wash.

Whitefish, Mont.

Vancouver, Wash.

Onalaska, Wash.

Sedro-Wool., Wash.

Spokane Lacey, Wash.

Spokane Oakland, Calif.

Rockford, Wash.

Kalihi, Hawaii

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Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

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Whitworth Pirates

Whitworth will have competition at quarterback system,” Stanfield said of Keenan and Pulliam.

“We’ll see after a year, but both (Keenan and Pulliam) have a big upside and a lot of potential.”

PIRATES STORY LINES Follow S-R Pirates reporter Thomas Clouse on Twitter for updates @ClouseThomas

By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5495

Missing targets When you tied for the lead in NCAA Division III passing yards per game, replacing the quarterback becomes a challenge.

Ian Kolste got his sophomore season restored after he hurt his shoulder in a win last year at Whittier. Prior to that game, he had been named the starter ahead of graduated senior Bryan Peterson, who then went on to set several school passing records and led the nation with 34 completions per game.

Kolste (6-foot-1, 188 pounds), of Oak Harbor, Washington, missed the rest of the year and spring practices rehabilitating his shoulder after surgery.

Last January, the Pirates got a boost from Jonah Koski, originally of Bend, Oregon, who transferred to the Pirates from St. Thomas (Minnesota), offensive coordinator Alan Stanfield said.

Koski, 6-4, 210-pound junior, “had a good spring because he got all the reps,” Stanfield said. “It’s exciting to bring him in and to push Ian. It will be one of those two guys for sure.”

Behind those two are freshmen recruits Matt Keenan, who got stuck behind Boise State recruit Brett Rypien at Shadle Park, and Matthew Pulliam, who also had to wait his turn at Mt. Spokane.

“They will get a year to develop and learn the

Whitworth lost both leading receivers, physically imposing Connor Williams (87 receptions) and fleet Drew Clausen (97), to graduation. The team also lost promising receiver Brett Moser, who was fourth on the team with 38 receptions. He will sit out this year as he receives treatment for cancer.

However, the team returns sophomore Nick Kiourkas (Shadle Park), who was third on the team with 43 receptions for 512 yards and four touchdowns. The team also returns senior Anthony See WHITWORTH, T22

O-LINE KEY TO BUCS’ PLANS Whitworth has beefed up depth at critical spot

By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5495

W

hen Rod Sandberg entered his first spring in 2014 as the head coach of Whitworth, he only had a handful of linemen on the roster who were healthy enough to practice.

It’s not exactly the blueprint he envisioned, especially after Sandberg hired Alan Stanfield from Shadle Park to run an up-tempo offense that seeks to run 110 plays a game.

“It was a real area of concern,” Sandberg said of the offensive line.

“We had four, six kids healthy on any given practice. That’s pretty hard to run a practice.”

The coaches recruited hard, looking for long, lanky players with fast enough feet to protect the quarterback in an offense that tied for the lead in NCAA Division III with 368.1 passing yards per game last year.

“This spring, having 14 guys out there in their second year in the system … it increased our competition,” he said. “Those guys got stronger in the weight room.

“They are the No. 1 position that has to improve and be better than last year if we are going to be better.”

Whitworth improved from 4-6 and 2-4 in the Northwest Conference in 2013 under John Tully to 6-4 and 4-3 in Sandberg’s first year.

But Sandberg brushed off any talk of improvement, especially when he competes in a league dominated for years by Linfield. The Wildcats are seeking to extend their record of 59 consecutive winning seasons, which leads the nation at any collegiate level.

“We are not satisfied with last year, by any means. We didn’t win a national championship,” Sandberg said. “But we are realists. We understand the challenges that we have had.

“The offensive line is a microcosm of our whole team,” he continued. “It takes three to four years to reestablish culture. By Year 3, you get close to getting in what you want to get in and establish who you are. They could only handle so much last year.”

Island of Cosby Whitworth’s fortunes will be anchored on the left side of the line by 6-foot-7, 310-pound Kyle Cosby. The senior from University High is an all-conference selection and the team’s best chance for an All-American.

He played half his career under Tully’s offense, which first sought to establish the run. Cosby now enters his second season under Stanfield’s high-octane air attack.

“The biggest difference is tempo,” he said. “There is no huddle. It’s just going, going and going.”

Asked how the unit changed its conditioning to deal with the number of plays, Cosby said essentially that it hasn’t.

“It’s built into practices. We always practice at the same speed, and sometimes actually faster, than the game,” he said.

Cosby was used as a road grader under the old offense.

“We ran it down their throats. The

COLIN MULVANY PHOTOS colinm@spokesman.com

At 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, University High graduate Kyle Cosby anchors the Whitworth offensive line.

Once a “road grader,” Cosby, has adapted to Whitworth’s up-tempo, pass-first offense.

On a typical play, the quarterback comes to the line, barks out the play and makes changes for blocking. For instance, if a linebacker approaches the line for a blitz, the quarterback can yell out a call that tells the linemen to change assignments to pick him up.

“The linemen have about five seconds to process the play, pick out the five most dangerous hats and go,” Bremer said.

Search for big uglies

old ground-and-pound,” he said. “The new offense is very fluid. It’s all about where you take the defender and the running back takes that lane.”

Bryan Bremer played as a 263-pound offensive lineman under Tully. After he graduated in 2014, Bremer worked as a graduate assistant last season coaching outside linebackers.

When offensive line coach Matt Miethe asked to reduce his role so he could continue working at Rogers High School, Sandberg hired Bremer as the offensive line coach and made Miethe the co-coach.

Sandberg noted that the change allowed him to have two offensive line coaches.

“Bryan definitely knows this place, knows the past and knows the players,” Sandberg said. “The players know the commitment to excellence he has. They are a captive audience because they believe in him.”

Bremer said his new job was made much easier by having Cosby at left tackle. He returns along with three

In addition to coaching the offensive line, Bremer also takes over as recruiting coordinator after longtime assistant coach Jason Tobeck left the program earlier this year.

“It starts with recruiting the right guys,” Bremer said. “Don’t get me juniors, Michael Crucioti (6-1, 280), wrong, we’ll take a big body. But, I’d center and team captain Joe Beattie rather have someone who is 6-3 and (5-11, 245) and guard Trevor Woodall 240 pounds over someone who is 300 (6-2, 260) of Coeur d’Alene. pounds. Because we would have to The final spot appears up for grabs break him down to the between senior Cameron weight we want and build Coy (6-0, 252), junior him back up again.”

Noah Shultz-Rathbun Sandberg agreed, saying (6-2, 260) and Predicted the search for quality sophomores Vince linemen is one of the Porporato (6-3, 275) and finish order hardest jobs in college Tanner Conroy (6-2, 1. Linfield football.

260), the latter from Mt. 2. Pacific “I have really good Spokane.

3. PLU friends who are offensive Cosby “is a threat not 4. Whitworth line coaches in the NFL, only to the defense, but 5. Willamette college and high school,” he allows our offense to 6. George Fox he said. “Nobody at any be more flexible,” Bremer 7. Lewis & Clark level can find enough of said. “We can slide away 8. Puget Sound them.” from him and be The key is finding kids comfortable leaving him on an island on the quarterback’s blind who are willing to learn and inserting them into a weight program that side.”

While the pass-first offense appears allows them to develop, he said.

“We are not going to sit back and be very complex, it can be very simple for too picky,” Sandberg said. “But we’ve the offensive line. Everything is got to help their bodies adapt and predicated “on blocking the five most coach them up.” dangerous hats,” Bremer said.

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

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FBS All times Pacific

AIR FORCE Sep. 5 Morgan St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 San Jose St., 7:15 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Michigan St., 9 a.m.

Oct. 3 at Navy, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 Wyoming, TBA Oct. 17 at Colorado St., 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Fresno St., TBA Oct. 31 at Hawaii, 9:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 Army, TBA Nov. 14 Utah St., TBA Nov. 20 at Boise St., 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 at New Mexico, TBA

AKRON Sep. 5 at Oklahoma, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Pittsburgh, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 Savannah St., TBA Sep. 26 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Oct. 3 Ohio, 11 a.m.

Oct. 10 at E. Michigan, noon Oct. 17 at Bowling Green, noon Oct. 31 Cent. Michigan, TBA Nov. 7 at UMass, TBA Nov. 14 at Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 21 Buffalo, TBA Nov. 27 Kent St., TBA

ALABAMA Sep. 5 Wisconsin, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 Middle Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Sep. 19 Mississippi, 6:15 p.m.

Sep. 26 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 3 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 10 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 17 at Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 24 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 7 LSU, TBA Nov. 14 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 21 Charleston Southern, TBA Nov. 28 at Auburn, TBA

APPALACHIAN ST. Sep. 5 Howard, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Clemson, 9:30 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Old Dominion, 9 a.m.

Oct. 3 Wyoming, TBA Oct. 10 at Georgia St., TBA Oct. 17 at Louisiana-Monroe, 4 p.m.

Oct. 22 Georgia Southern, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 Troy, TBA Nov. 5 Arkansas St., 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Idaho, TBA Nov. 28 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Dec. 5 at South Alabama, TBA

ARIZONA Sep. 3 UTSA, 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Nevada, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 N. Arizona, 8 p.m.

Sep. 26 UCLA, TBA Oct. 3 at Stanford, TBA Oct. 10 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 17 at Colorado, TBA Oct. 24 Washington St., TBA Oct. 31 at Washington, TBA Nov. 7 at Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 14 Utah, TBA Nov. 21 at Arizona St., TBA

ARIZONA ST. Sep. 5 at Texas A&M, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Cal Poly, 8 p.m.

Sep. 18 New Mexico, 7 p.m.

Sep. 26 Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 3 at UCLA, TBA Oct. 10 Colorado, TBA Oct. 17 at Utah, TBA Oct. 29 Oregon, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 14 Washington, TBA Nov. 21 Arizona, TBA Nov. 28 at California, TBA

ARKANSAS Sep. 5 UTEP, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Toledo, 1 p.m.

Sep. 19 Texas Tech, 1 p.m.

Sep. 26 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 3 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 10 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 24 Auburn, TBA Oct. 31 UT-Martin, TBA Nov. 7 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 14 at LSU, TBA Nov. 21 Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 27 Missouri, 1:30 p.m.

ARKANSAS ST. Sep. 5 at Southern Cal, 8 p.m.

Sep. 12 Missouri, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 Missouri St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Toledo, TBA Oct. 3 Idaho, TBA Oct. 13 at South Alabama, 5 p.m.

Oct. 20 Louisiana-Lafayette, 5 p.m.

Oct. 31 Georgia St., TBA Nov. 5 at Appalachian St., 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Louisiana-Monroe, noon Nov. 28 at New Mexico St., noon Dec. 5 Texas St., 2 p.m.

ARMY Sep. 4 Fordham, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at UConn, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 Wake Forest, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 at E. Michigan, TBA Oct. 3 at Penn St., TBA Oct. 10 Duke, 9 a.m.

Oct. 17 Bucknell, 9 a.m.

Oct. 24 at Rice, TBA Nov. 7 at Air Force, TBA Nov. 14 Tulane, 9 a.m.

Nov. 21 Rutgers, 9 a.m.

Dec. 12 at Navy, noon

AUBURN Sep. 5 Louisville, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Jacksonville St., 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 at LSU, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 3 San Jose St., TBA Oct. 15 at Kentucky, 4 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 31 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 7 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 14 Georgia, TBA Nov. 21 Idaho, TBA Nov. 28 Alabama, TBA

BYU Sep. 5 at Nebraska, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Boise St., 7:15 p.m.

Sep. 19 at UCLA, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Michigan, TBA Oct. 2 UConn, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 10 East Carolina, TBA Oct. 16 Cincinnati, 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 Wagner, noon Nov. 6 at San Jose St., 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 21 Fresno St., TBA Nov. 28 at Utah St., 12:30 p.m.

BALL ST. Sep. 3 VMI, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Texas A&M, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at E. Michigan, noon Sep. 26 at Northwestern, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 Toledo, noon Oct. 10 at N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 17 Georgia St., TBA Oct. 24 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 31 UMass, TBA Nov. 5 at W. Michigan, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 17 at Ohio, TBA Nov. 24 Bowling Green, 4:30 p.m.

BAYLOR Sep. 4 at SMU, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Lamar, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Rice, noon Oct. 3 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 10 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 17 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 24 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 5 at Kansas St., 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 21 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 27 at TCU, 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 Texas, TBA

BOISE ST. Sep. 4 Washington, 7:15 p.m.

Sep. 12 at BYU, 7:15 p.m.

Sep. 18 Idaho St., 6 p.m.

Sep. 25 at Virginia, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 Hawaii, TBA Oct. 10 at Colorado St., 4 p.m.

Oct. 16 at Utah St., 6 p.m.

Oct. 24 Wyoming, TBA Oct. 31 at UNLV, TBA Nov. 14 New Mexico, TBA Nov. 20 Air Force, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 27 at San Jose St., 12:30 p.m.

BOSTON COLLEGE Sep. 5 Maine, 10 a.m.

Sep. 12 Howard, 10 a.m.

Sep. 18 Florida St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 3 at Duke, TBA Oct. 10 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 17 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 24 at Louisville, TBA Oct. 31 Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 7 NC State, TBA Nov. 21 Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 at Syracuse, TBA

BOWLING GREEN Sep. 5 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Maryland, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 Memphis, noon Sep. 26 at Purdue, TBA Oct. 3 at Buffalo, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 UMass, TBA Oct. 17 Akron, noon Oct. 24 at Kent St., TBA Nov. 4 Ohio, 5 p.m.

Nov. 11 at W. Michigan, 5 p.m.

Nov. 17 Toledo, TBA Nov. 24 at Ball St., 4:30 p.m.

BUFFALO Sep. 5 Albany (NY), 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Penn St., Noon Sep. 19 at FAU, Noon Sep. 26 Nevada, TBA Oct. 3 Bowling Green, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 24 Ohio, TBA Oct. 29 at Miami (Ohio), 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 5 at Kent St., 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 11 N. Illinois, 5 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Akron, TBA Nov. 27 UMass, TBA

CALIFORNIA Sep. 5 Grambling St., 2 p.m.

Sep. 12 San Diego St., 2 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Texas, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Washington, TBA Oct. 3 Washington St., TBA

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

Oct. 10 at Utah, TBA Oct. 22 at UCLA, 6 p.m.

Oct. 31 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 7 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 14 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 21 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 28 Arizona St., TBA

CENT. MICHIGAN Sep. 3 Oklahoma St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Monmouth (NJ), noon Sep. 19 at Syracuse, 9:30 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 3 N. Illinois, noon Oct. 10 at W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 17 Buffalo, TBA Oct. 24 at Ball St., TBA Oct. 31 at Akron, TBA Nov. 10 Toledo, 5 p.m.

Nov. 18 at Kent St., 5 p.m.

Nov. 27 E. Michigan, TBA

CHARLOTTE Sep. 4 at Georgia St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Presbyterian, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 at Middle Tennessee, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 FAU, 4 p.m.

Oct. 2 Temple, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Old Dominion, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Southern Miss., 9 a.m.

Oct. 31 Marshall, TBA Nov. 7 at FIU, 9 a.m.

Nov. 14 UTSA, TBA Nov. 21 at Kentucky, TBA Nov. 28 at Rice, 12:30 p.m.

CINCINNATI Sep. 5 Alabama A&M, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Temple, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Miami (Ohio), 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 24 at Memphis, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 Miami, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 at BYU, 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 UConn, TBA Oct. 31 UCF, TBA Nov. 7 at Houston, TBA Nov. 14 Tulsa, TBA Nov. 20 at South Florida, 5 p.m.

Nov. 28 at East Carolina, TBA

CLEMSON Sep. 5 Wofford, 9:30 a.m.

Sep. 12 Appalachian St., 9:30 a.m.

Sep. 17 at Louisville, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 Notre Dame, TBA Oct. 10 Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 17 Boston College, TBA Oct. 24 at Miami, TBA Oct. 31 at NC State, TBA Nov. 7 Florida St., TBA Nov. 14 at Syracuse, TBA Nov. 21 Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 28 at South Carolina, TBA

COLORADO Sep. 4 at Hawaii, 9:59 p.m.

Sep. 12 UMass, 11 a.m.

Sep. 19 at Colorado St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 Nicholls St., TBA Oct. 3 Oregon, TBA Oct. 10 at Arizona St., TBA Oct. 17 Arizona, TBA Oct. 24 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 31 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 7 Stanford, TBA Nov. 13 Southern Cal, 6 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 28 at Utah, TBA

COLORADO ST. Sep. 5 Savannah St., 1 p.m.

Sep. 12 Minnesota, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Colorado, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at UTSA, 4 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Utah St., TBA Oct. 10 Boise St., 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 Air Force, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 San Diego St., 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Wyoming, TBA Nov. 14 UNLV, 4 p.m.

Nov. 21 at New Mexico, 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 at Fresno St., 6 p.m.

DUKE Sep. 3 at Tulane, 6:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 NC Central, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 Northwestern, 9:30 a.m.

Sep. 26 Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 3 Boston College, TBA Oct. 10 at Army, 9 a.m.

Oct. 24 at Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 31 Miami, TBA Nov. 7 at North Carolina, TBA Nov. 14 Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 21 at Virginia, TBA Nov. 28 at Wake Forest, TBA

E. MICHIGAN Sep. 5 Old Dominion, noon Sep. 12 at Wyoming, 1 p.m.

Sep. 19 Ball St., noon Sep. 26 Army, TBA Oct. 3 at LSU, TBA Oct. 10 Akron, noon Oct. 17 at Toledo, TBA Oct. 24 at N. Illinois, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 29 W. Michigan, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 14 UMass, TBA Nov. 27 at Cent. Michigan, TBA

EAST CAROLINA Sep. 5 Towson, 3 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Florida, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Navy, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 3 at SMU, TBA Oct. 10 at BYU, TBA Oct. 17 Tulsa, TBA Oct. 22 Temple, 4 p.m.

Oct. 30 at UConn, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 South Florida, TBA Nov. 19 at UCF, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 Cincinnati, TBA

FAU Sep. 5 at Tulsa, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 11 Miami, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 Buffalo, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Charlotte, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 Rice, 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 17 Marshall, TBA Oct. 24 at UTEP, 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 FIU, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at W. Kentucky, TBA Nov. 14 Middle Tennessee, 9 a.m.

Nov. 21 at Florida, TBA Nov. 28 at Old Dominion, 9 a.m.

FIU Sep. 3 at UCF, 3 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Indiana, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 NC Central, 3 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Louisiana Tech, 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 3 at UMass, TBA Oct. 10 UTEP, 9 a.m.

Oct. 17 at Middle Tennessee, TBA Oct. 24 Old Dominion, 3 p.m.

Oct. 31 at FAU, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 Charlotte, 9 a.m.

Nov. 14 at Marshall, TBA Nov. 21 W. Kentucky, TBA

FLORIDA Sep. 5 New Mexico St., 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 East Carolina, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Kentucky, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Tennessee, TBA Oct. 3 Mississippi, TBA Oct. 10 at Missouri, TBA Oct. 17 at LSU, TBA Oct. 31 Georgia, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 14 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 21 FAU, TBA Nov. 28 Florida St., TBA

FLORIDA ST. Sep. 5 Texas St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 South Florida, 8:30 a.m.

Sep. 18 at Boston College, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 10 Miami, TBA Oct. 17 Louisville, TBA Oct. 24 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 31 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 7 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 14 NC State, TBA Nov. 21 Chattanooga, TBA Nov. 28 at Florida, TBA

FRESNO ST. Sep. 3 Abilene Christian, 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Mississippi, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Utah, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at San Jose St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at San Diego St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 Utah St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 UNLV, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Air Force, TBA Nov. 5 Nevada, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Hawaii, 8 p.m.

Nov. 21 at BYU, TBA Nov. 28 Colorado St., 6 p.m.

GEORGIA Sep. 5 Louisiana-Monroe, 9 a.m.

Sep. 12 at Vanderbilt, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 South Carolina, 3 p.m.

Sep. 26 Southern U., TBA Oct. 3 Alabama, TBA Oct. 10 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 17 Missouri, TBA Oct. 31 at Florida, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 14 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 21 Georgia Southern, TBA Nov. 28 at Georgia Tech, TBA

GEORGIA SOUTHERN Sep. 5 at West Virginia, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 W. Michigan, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 The Citadel, 3 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Idaho, 2 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Louisiana-Monroe, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 New Mexico St., 3 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Appalachian St., 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 29 Texas St., 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Troy, TBA Nov. 21 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 28 South Alabama, 11 a.m.

Dec. 5 Georgia St., 11 a.m.

GEORGIA ST. Sep. 4 Charlotte, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at New Mexico St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Oregon, 11 a.m.

Oct. 3 Liberty, TBA Oct. 10 Appalachian St., TBA Oct. 17 at Ball St., TBA Oct. 31 at Arkansas St., TBA Nov. 7 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 14 at Texas St., TBA Nov. 21 South Alabama, TBA Nov. 27 Troy, TBA Dec. 5 at Georgia Southern, 11 a.m.

GEORGIA TECH Sep. 3 Alcorn St., 4:30 p.m.

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Sep. 12 Tulane, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Duke, TBA Oct. 3 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 10 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 17 Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 24 Florida St., TBA Oct. 31 at Virginia, TBA Nov. 12 Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Miami, TBA Nov. 28 Georgia, TBA

HAWAII Sep. 4 Colorado, 9:59 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Ohio St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 UC Davis, 8:59 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Wisconsin, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Boise St., TBA Oct. 10 San Diego St., 8:59 p.m.

Oct. 17 at New Mexico, 4 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Nevada, 1 p.m.

Oct. 31 Air Force, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at UNLV, 3 p.m.

Nov. 14 Fresno St., 8 p.m.

Nov. 21 San Jose St., 8 p.m.

Nov. 28 Louisiana-Monroe, 8 p.m.

HOUSTON Sep. 5 Tennessee Tech, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Louisville, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Texas St., TBA Oct. 3 at Tulsa, TBA Oct. 8 SMU, 5 p.m.

Oct. 16 at Tulane, 6 p.m.

Oct. 24 at UCF, TBA Oct. 31 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 7 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 14 Memphis, TBA Nov. 21 at UConn, TBA Nov. 27 Navy, TBA

IDAHO Sep. 3 Ohio, 6 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Southern Cal, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 Wofford, 2 p.m.

Sep. 26 Georgia Southern, 2 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Arkansas St., TBA Oct. 17 at Troy, TBA Oct. 24 Louisiana-Monroe, 2 p.m.

Oct. 31 at New Mexico St., 5 p.m.

Nov. 7 at South Alabama, TBA Nov. 14 Appalachian St., TBA Nov. 21 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 28 Texas St., 2 p.m.

ILLINOIS Sep. 4 Kent St., 6 p.m.

Sep. 12 W. Illinois, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 at North Carolina, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Middle Tennessee, TBA Oct. 3 Nebraska, TBA Oct. 10 at Iowa, 9 a.m.

Oct. 24 Wisconsin, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Penn St., TBA Nov. 7 at Purdue, 9 a.m.

Nov. 14 Ohio St., TBA Nov. 21 at Minnesota, TBA Nov. 28 Northwestern, TBA

INDIANA Sep. 5 S. Illinois, 1 p.m.

Sep. 12 FIU, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 W. Kentucky, 1 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 3 Ohio St., TBA Oct. 10 at Penn St., 9 a.m.

Oct. 17 Rutgers, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 7 Iowa, TBA Nov. 14 Michigan, TBA Nov. 21 at Maryland, TBA Nov. 28 at Purdue, TBA

IOWA Sep. 5 Illinois St., Noon Sep. 12 at Iowa St., 1:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Pittsburgh, 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 North Texas, TBA Oct. 3 at Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 10 Illinois, 9 a.m.

Oct. 17 at Northwestern, 9 a.m.

Oct. 31 Maryland, TBA Nov. 7 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 14 Minnesota, 5 p.m.

Nov. 21 Purdue, TBA Nov. 27 at Nebraska, TBA

IOWA ST. Sep. 5 N. Iowa, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 Iowa, 1:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Toledo, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 Kansas, TBA Oct. 10 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 17 TCU, TBA Oct. 24 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 31 Texas, TBA Nov. 7 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 14 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 21 at Kansas St., TBA Nov. 28 at West Virginia, TBA

KANSAS Sep. 5 S. Dakota St., 9 a.m.

Sep. 12 Memphis, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Rutgers, 9 a.m.

Oct. 3 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 10 Baylor, TBA Oct. 17 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 24 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 31 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 7 at Texas, TBA Nov. 14 at TCU, TBA Nov. 21 West Virginia, TBA Nov. 28 Kansas St., TBA

KANSAS ST. Sep. 5 South Dakota, 4:10 p.m.

Sep. 12 at UTSA, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 Louisiana Tech, noon Oct. 3 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 10 TCU, TBA Oct. 17 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 24 at Texas, TBA Nov. 5 Baylor, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 21 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 28 at Kansas, TBA Dec. 5 West Virginia, TBA

KENT ST. Sep. 4 at Illinois, 6 p.m.

Sep. 12 Delaware St., 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Minnesota, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Marshall, TBA Oct. 3 Miami (Ohio), 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Toledo, noon Oct. 17 at UMass, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Bowling Green, TBA Nov. 5 Buffalo, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Ohio, 5 p.m.

Nov. 18 Cent. Michigan, 5 p.m.

Nov. 27 at Akron, TBA

KENTUCKY Sep. 5 Louisiana-Lafayette, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at South Carolina, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Florida, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Missouri, TBA Oct. 3 E. Kentucky, TBA Oct. 15 Auburn, 4 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 31 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 7 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 14 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 21 Charlotte, TBA Nov. 28 Louisville, TBA

LSU Sep. 5 McNeese St., 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Mississippi St., 6:15 p.m.

Sep. 19 Auburn, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Syracuse, TBA Oct. 3 E. Michigan, TBA Oct. 10 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 17 Florida, TBA Oct. 24 W. Kentucky, TBA Nov. 7 at Alabama, TBA Nov. 14 Arkansas, TBA Nov. 21 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 28 Texas A&M, TBA

LOUISIANA TECH Sep. 5 Southern U., 4 p.m.

Sep. 10 at W. Kentucky, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Kansas St., noon Sep. 26 FIU, 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 3 Louisiana-Lafayette, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 at UTSA, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 24 Middle Tennessee, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 at Rice, 5 p.m.

Nov. 7 North Texas, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at UTEP, TBA Nov. 28 Southern Miss., TBA

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE Sep. 5 at Kentucky, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Northwestern St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 Akron, TBA Oct. 3 at Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 Texas St., TBA Oct. 20 at Arkansas St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 31 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Nov. 7 at Georgia St., TBA Nov. 12 at South Alabama, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 28 at Appalachian St., TBA Dec. 5 Troy, TBA

LOUISIANA-MONROE Sep. 5 at Georgia, 9 a.m.

Sep. 12 Nicholls St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 3 Georgia Southern, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Tulsa, TBA Oct. 17 Appalachian St., 4 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Idaho, 2 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 7 at Troy, TBA Nov. 14 Arkansas St., noon Nov. 19 at Texas St., 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 at Hawaii, 8 p.m.

Dec. 5 New Mexico St., noon

LOUISVILLE Sep. 5 at Auburn, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Houston, 9 a.m.

Sep. 17 Clemson, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Samford, TBA Oct. 3 at NC State, TBA Oct. 17 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 24 Boston College, TBA Oct. 30 at Wake Forest, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 14 Virginia, TBA Nov. 21 at Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 28 at Kentucky, TBA

MARSHALL Sep. 6 Purdue, noon Sep. 12 at Ohio, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 Norfolk St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Kent St., TBA Oct. 3 Old Dominion, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 Southern Miss., 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 at FAU, TBA Oct. 24 North Texas, noon Oct. 31 at Charlotte, TBA

Nov. 7 at Middle Tennessee, TBA Nov. 14 FIU, TBA Nov. 27 at W. Kentucky, 9 a.m.

MARYLAND Sep. 5 Richmond, 9 a.m.

Sep. 12 Bowling Green, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 South Florida, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 3 Michigan, 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Ohio St., 9 a.m.

Oct. 24 Penn St., TBA Oct. 31 at Iowa, TBA Nov. 7 Wisconsin, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 21 Indiana, TBA Nov. 28 at Rutgers, TBA

MEMPHIS Sep. 5 Missouri St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Kansas, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Bowling Green, noon Sep. 24 Cincinnati, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 at South Florida, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 Mississippi, TBA Oct. 23 at Tulsa, 5 p.m.

Oct. 31 Tulane, TBA Nov. 7 Navy, TBA Nov. 14 at Houston, TBA Nov. 21 at Temple, TBA Nov. 28 SMU, TBA

MIAMI Sep. 5 Bethune-Cookman, 3 p.m.

Sep. 11 at FAU, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 Nebraska, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 at Cincinnati, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 17 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 24 Clemson, TBA Oct. 31 at Duke, TBA Nov. 7 Virginia, TBA Nov. 14 at North Carolina, TBA Nov. 21 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 27 at Pittsburgh, TBA

MIAMI (OHIO) Sep. 5 Presbyterian, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Wisconsin, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 Cincinnati, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at W. Kentucky, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Kent St., 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Ohio, 11 a.m.

Oct. 17 N. Illinois, 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 24 at W. Michigan, 11 a.m.

Oct. 29 Buffalo, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 14 Akron, TBA Nov. 21 at UMass, TBA

MICHIGAN Sep. 3 at Utah, 5:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Oregon St., 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 UNLV, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 BYU, TBA Oct. 3 at Maryland, 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 Northwestern, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 Michigan St., TBA Oct. 31 at Minnesota, 5 p.m.

Nov. 7 Rutgers, TBA Nov. 14 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 21 at Penn St., TBA Nov. 28 Ohio St., TBA

MICHIGAN ST. Sep. 4 at W. Michigan, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Oregon, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 Air Force, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 3 Purdue, 9 a.m.

Oct. 10 at Rutgers, 5 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Michigan, TBA Oct. 24 Indiana, TBA Nov. 7 at Nebraska, 5 p.m.

Nov. 14 Maryland, TBA Nov. 21 at Ohio St., TBA Nov. 28 Penn St., TBA

MIDDLE TENNESSEE Sep. 5 Jackson St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Alabama, 1 p.m.

Sep. 19 Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Illinois, TBA Oct. 3 Vanderbilt, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 at W. Kentucky, TBA Oct. 17 FIU, TBA Oct. 24 at Louisiana Tech, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 Marshall, TBA Nov. 14 at FAU, 9 a.m.

Nov. 21 North Texas, 9 a.m.

Nov. 28 at UTSA, 11:30 a.m.

MINNESOTA Sep. 3 TCU, 6 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Colorado St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Kent St., 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Ohio, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Northwestern, TBA Oct. 10 at Purdue, TBA Oct. 17 Nebraska, TBA Oct. 31 Michigan, 5 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Ohio St., TBA Nov. 14 at Iowa, 5 p.m.

Nov. 21 Illinois, TBA Nov. 28 Wisconsin, TBA

MISSISSIPPI Sep. 5 UT-Martin, 9 a.m.

Sep. 12 Fresno St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Alabama, 6:15 p.m.

Sep. 26 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 3 at Florida, TBA Oct. 10 New Mexico St., TBA Oct. 17 at Memphis, TBA Oct. 24 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 31 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 7 Arkansas, TBA Nov. 21 LSU, TBA Nov. 28 at Mississippi St., TBA

MISSISSIPPI ST. Sep. 5 at Southern Miss., 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 LSU, 6:15 p.m.

Sep. 19 Northwestern St., 1 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 3 at Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 10 Troy, TBA Oct. 17 Louisiana Tech, TBA Oct. 24 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 5 at Missouri, 6 p.m.

Nov. 14 Alabama, TBA Nov. 21 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 28 Mississippi, TBA

MISSOURI Sep. 5 SE Missouri, 1 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Arkansas St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 UConn, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 3 South Carolina, TBA Oct. 10 Florida, TBA Oct. 17 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 24 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 5 Mississippi St., 6 p.m.

Nov. 14 BYU, TBA Nov. 21 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 27 at Arkansas, 11:30 a.m.

N. ILLINOIS Sep. 5 UNLV, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Murray St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Ohio St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Boston College, TBA Oct. 3 at Cent. Michigan, noon Oct. 10 Ball St., TBA Oct. 17 at Miami (Ohio), 11:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 E. Michigan, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 3 at Toledo, 5 p.m.

Nov. 11 at Buffalo, 5 p.m.

Nov. 18 W. Michigan, 5 p.m.

Nov. 24 Ohio, 4:30 p.m.

NC STATE Sep. 5 Troy, 3 p.m.

Sep. 12 E. Kentucky, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Old Dominion, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at South Alabama, TBA Oct. 3 Louisville, TBA Oct. 9 at Virginia Tech, 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 31 Clemson, TBA Nov. 7 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 14 at Florida St., TBA Nov. 21 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 28 North Carolina, TBA

NAVY Sep. 5 Colgate, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 East Carolina, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at UConn, TBA Oct. 3 Air Force, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Tulane, 10 a.m.

Oct. 31 South Florida, 9 a.m.

Nov. 7 at Memphis, TBA Nov. 14 SMU, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Tulsa, TBA Nov. 27 at Houston, TBA Dec. 12 Army, noon

NEBRASKA Sep. 5 BYU, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 South Alabama, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Miami, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Southern Miss., 9 a.m.

Oct. 3 at Illinois, TBA Oct. 10 Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 17 at Minnesota, TBA Oct. 24 Northwestern, TBA Oct. 31 at Purdue, TBA Nov. 7 Michigan St., 5 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Rutgers, TBA Nov. 27 Iowa, TBA

NEVADA Sep. 3 UC Davis, 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 Arizona, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Texas A&M, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Buffalo, TBA Oct. 3 UNLV, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 New Mexico, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Wyoming, TBA Oct. 24 Hawaii, 1 p.m.

Nov. 5 at Fresno St., 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 San Jose St., 1 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Utah St., TBA Nov. 28 at San Diego St., TBA

NEW MEXICO Sep. 5 MVSU, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 Tulsa, 5 p.m.

Sep. 18 at Arizona St., 7 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Wyoming, noon Oct. 3 New Mexico St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Nevada, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 Hawaii, 4 p.m.

Oct. 24 at San Jose St., 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 Utah St., 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Boise St., TBA Nov. 21 Colorado St., 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 Air Force, TBA

NEW MEXICO ST. Sep. 5 at Florida, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Georgia St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 UTEP, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 at New Mexico, 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 17 at Georgia Southern, 3 p.m.

Oct. 24 Troy, 5 p.m.

Oct. 31 Idaho, 5 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Texas St., TBA Nov. 21 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 28 Arkansas St., noon Dec. 5 at Louisiana-Monroe, noon

NORTH CAROLINA Sep. 3 at South Carolina, 3 p.m.

Sep. 12 NC A&T, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 Illinois, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Delaware, TBA Oct. 3 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 17 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 24 Virginia, TBA Oct. 29 at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 Duke, TBA Nov. 14 Miami, TBA Nov. 21 at Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 28 at NC State, TBA

NORTH TEXAS Sep. 12 at SMU, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 Rice, 11:30 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Iowa, TBA Oct. 3 at Southern Miss., TBA Oct. 10 Portland St., TBA Oct. 15 W. Kentucky, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Marshall, noon Oct. 31 UTSA, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Louisiana Tech, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 21 at Middle Tennessee, 9 a.m.

Nov. 28 UTEP, TBA

NORTHWESTERN Sep. 5 Stanford, 9 a.m.

Sep. 12 E. Illinois, 1 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Duke, 9:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Ball St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 Minnesota, TBA Oct. 10 at Michigan, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 Iowa, 9 a.m.

Oct. 24 at Nebraska, TBA Nov. 7 Penn St., TBA Nov. 14 Purdue, TBA Nov. 21 at Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 28 at Illinois, TBA

NOTRE DAME Sep. 5 Texas, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Virginia, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Georgia Tech, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 UMass, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 10 Navy, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 Southern Cal, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Temple, TBA Nov. 7 at Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 14 Wake Forest, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Boston College, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 at Stanford, TBA

OHIO Sep. 3 at Idaho, 6 p.m.

Sep. 12 Marshall, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 SE Louisiana, 11 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Minnesota, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Akron, 11 a.m.

Oct. 10 Miami (Ohio), 11 a.m.

Oct. 17 W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 24 at Buffalo, TBA Nov. 4 at Bowling Green, 5 p.m.

Nov. 10 Kent St., 5 p.m.

Nov. 17 Ball St., TBA Nov. 24 at N. Illinois, 4:30 p.m.

OHIO ST. Sep. 7 at Virginia Tech, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 Hawaii, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 N. Illinois, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 3 at Indiana, TBA Oct. 10 Maryland, 9 a.m.

Oct. 17 Penn St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Rutgers, 5 p.m.

Nov. 7 Minnesota, TBA Nov. 14 at Illinois, TBA Nov. 21 Michigan St., TBA Nov. 28 at Michigan, TBA

OKLAHOMA Sep. 5 Akron, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Tennessee, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 Tulsa, 9 a.m.

Oct. 3 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 10 at Texas, TBA Oct. 17 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 24 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 31 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 7 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 14 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 21 TCU, TBA Nov. 28 at Oklahoma St., TBA

OKLAHOMA ST. Sep. 3 at Cent. Michigan, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Cent. Arkansas, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 UTSA, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Texas, TBA Oct. 3 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 10 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 24 Kansas, TBA Oct. 31 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 7 TCU, TBA Nov. 14 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 21 Baylor, TBA Nov. 28 Oklahoma, TBA

OLD DOMINION Sep. 5 at E. Michigan, noon Sep. 12 Norfolk St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 NC State, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 Appalachian St., 9 a.m.

Oct. 3 at Marshall, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 Charlotte, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at FIU, 3 p.m.

Oct. 31 W. Kentucky, TBA Nov. 7 at UTSA, 4 p.m.

Nov. 14 UTEP, TBA Nov. 21 at Southern Miss., 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 FAU, 9 a.m.

OREGON Sep. 5 E. Washington, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Michigan St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 Georgia St., 11 a.m.

Sep. 26 Utah, TBA Oct. 3 at Colorado, TBA Oct. 10 Washington St., TBA Oct. 17 at Washington, TBA Oct. 29 at Arizona St., 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 California, TBA Nov. 14 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 21 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 27 Oregon St., 12:30 p.m.

OREGON ST. Sep. 4 Weber St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Michigan, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 San Jose St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 25 Stanford, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 17 at Washington St., TBA Oct. 24 Colorado, TBA Oct. 31 at Utah, TBA Nov. 7 UCLA, TBA Nov. 14 at California, TBA Nov. 21 Washington, TBA Nov. 27 at Oregon, 12:30 p.m.

PENN ST. Sep. 5 at Temple, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Buffalo, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 Rutgers, 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 San Diego St., TBA Oct. 3 Army, TBA Oct. 10 Indiana, 9 a.m.

Oct. 17 at Ohio St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Maryland, TBA Oct. 31 Illinois, TBA Nov. 7 at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 21 Michigan, TBA Nov. 28 at Michigan St., TBA

PITTSBURGH Sep. 5 Youngstown St., 10 a.m.

Sep. 12 at Akron, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Iowa, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 10 Virginia, TBA Oct. 17 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 24 at Syracuse, TBA Oct. 29 North Carolina, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 Notre Dame, TBA Nov. 14 at Duke, TBA Nov. 21 Louisville, TBA Nov. 27 Miami, TBA

PURDUE Sep. 6 at Marshall, noon Sep. 12 Indiana St., 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Bowling Green, TBA Oct. 3 at Michigan St., 9 a.m.

Oct. 10 Minnesota, TBA Oct. 17 at Wisconsin, 9 a.m.

Oct. 31 Nebraska, TBA Nov. 7 Illinois, 9 a.m.

Nov. 14 at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 21 at Iowa, TBA Nov. 28 Indiana, TBA

RICE Sep. 5 Wagner, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Texas, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at North Texas, 11:30 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Baylor, noon Oct. 3 W. Kentucky, 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 10 at FAU, 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 24 Army, TBA Oct. 30 Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m.

Nov. 6 at UTEP, 5 p.m.

Nov. 14 Southern Miss., 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at UTSA, 4 p.m.

Nov. 28 Charlotte, 12:30 p.m.

RUTGERS Sep. 5 Norfolk St., 9 a.m.

Sep. 12 Washington St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Penn St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 Kansas, 9 a.m.

Oct. 10 Michigan St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Indiana, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Ohio St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 7 at Michigan, TBA Nov. 14 Nebraska, TBA Nov. 21 at Army, 9 a.m.

Nov. 28 Maryland, TBA

SMU Sep. 4 Baylor, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 North Texas, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at TCU, 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 James Madison, 4 p.m.

Oct. 3 East Carolina, TBA Oct. 8 at Houston, 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 31 Tulsa, TBA Nov. 6 Temple, 5 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Navy, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 Tulane, TBA Nov. 28 at Memphis, TBA

SAN DIEGO ST. Sep. 5 San Diego, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 at California, 2 p.m.

Sep. 19 South Alabama, 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Penn St., TBA Oct. 3 Fresno St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Hawaii, 8:59 p.m.

Oct. 17 at San Jose St., TBA Oct. 23 Utah St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Colorado St., 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 Wyoming, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at UNLV, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 Nevada, TBA

SAN JOSE ST. Sep. 3 New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Air Force, 7:15 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Oregon St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 Fresno St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 10 at UNLV, 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 San Diego St., TBA Oct. 24 New Mexico, 4 p.m.

Nov. 6 BYU, 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Nevada, 1 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Hawaii, 8 p.m.

Nov. 27 Boise St., 12:30 p.m.

SOUTH ALABAMA Sep. 5 Gardner-Webb, 3 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Nebraska, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at San Diego St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 NC State, TBA Oct. 3 at Troy, TBA Oct. 13 Arkansas St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Texas St., TBA Nov. 7 Idaho, TBA Nov. 12 La.-Lafayette, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Georgia St., TBA Nov. 28 at Georgia Southern, 11 a.m.

Dec. 5 Appalachian St., TBA

SOUTH CAROLINA Sep. 3 North Carolina, 3 p.m.

Sep. 12 Kentucky, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Georgia, 3 p.m.

Sep. 26 UCF, TBA Oct. 3 at Missouri, TBA Oct. 10 LSU, TBA Oct. 17 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 31 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 7 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 14 Florida, TBA Nov. 21 The Citadel, TBA Nov. 28 Clemson, TBA

SOUTH FLORIDA Sep. 5 Florida A&M, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Florida St., 8:30 a.m.

Sep. 19 at Maryland, 9 a.m.

Oct. 2 Memphis, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 17 at UConn, TBA Oct. 24 SMU, TBA Oct. 31 at Navy, 9 a.m.

Nov. 7 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 14 Temple, TBA Nov. 20 Cincinnati, 5 p.m.

Nov. 27 at UCF, TBA

SOUTHERN CAL Sep. 5 Arkansas St., 8 p.m.

Sep. 12 Idaho, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 Stanford, 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Arizona St., TBA Oct. 8 Washington, 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Utah, TBA Oct. 31 at California, TBA Nov. 7 Arizona, TBA Nov. 13 at Colorado, 6 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 28 UCLA, TBA

SOUTHERN MISS. Sep. 5 Mississippi St., 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 Austin Peay, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Texas St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Nebraska, 9 a.m.

Oct. 3 North Texas, TBA Oct. 9 at Marshall, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 UTSA, 4 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Charlotte, 9 a.m.

Oct. 31 UTEP, TBA Nov. 14 at Rice, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 Old Dominion, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 at Louisiana Tech, TBA

STANFORD Sep. 5 at Northwestern, 9 a.m.

Sep. 12 UCF, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Southern Cal, 5 p.m.

Sep. 25 at Oregon St., 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 Arizona, TBA Oct. 15 UCLA, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Washington, TBA Oct. 31 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 7 at Colorado, TBA Nov. 14 Oregon, TBA Nov. 21 California, TBA Nov. 28 Notre Dame, TBA

SYRACUSE Sep. 4 Rhode Island, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Wake Forest, 9:30 a.m.

Sep. 19 Cent. Michigan, 9:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 LSU, TBA Oct. 10 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 17 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 24 Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 31 at Florida St., TBA Nov. 7 at Louisville, TBA Nov. 14 Clemson, TBA Nov. 21 at NC State, TBA Nov. 28 Boston College, TBA

TCU Sep. 3 at Minnesota, 6 p.m.

Sep. 12 Stephen F. Austin, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 SMU, 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 3 Texas, TBA Oct. 10 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 17 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 29 West Virginia, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 14 Kansas, TBA Nov. 21 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 27 Baylor, 4:30 p.m.

TEMPLE Sep. 5 Penn St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Cincinnati, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at UMass, noon Oct. 2 at Charlotte, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 Tulane, TBA Oct. 17 UCF, TBA Oct. 22 at East Carolina, 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 Notre Dame, TBA Nov. 6 at SMU, 5 p.m.

Nov. 14 at South Florida, TBA Nov. 21 Memphis, TBA Nov. 28 UConn, TBA

TENNESSEE Sep. 5 Bowling Green, 1 p.m.

Sep. 12 Oklahoma, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 W. Carolina, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Florida, TBA Oct. 3 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 10 Georgia, TBA Oct. 24 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 31 at Kentucky, TBA Nov. 7 South Carolina, TBA Nov. 14 North Texas, TBA Nov. 21 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 28 Vanderbilt, TBA

TEXAS Sep. 5 at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Rice, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 California, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 3 at TCU, TBA Oct. 10 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 24 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 31 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 7 Kansas, TBA Nov. 14 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 26 Texas Tech, 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 at Baylor, TBA

TEXAS A&M Sep. 5 Arizona St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 Ball St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 Nevada, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 3 Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 17 Alabama, TBA Oct. 24 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 31 South Carolina, TBA Nov. 7 Auburn, TBA Nov. 14 W. Carolina, TBA Nov. 21 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 28 at LSU, TBA

TEXAS SOUTHERN Sep. 5 Prairie View, TBA Sep. 11 Bacone, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Ark.-Pine Bluff, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Jackson St., 4 p.m.

Oct. 1 Alabama St., 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 at MVSU, noon Oct. 24 Southern U., TBA Nov. 7 at Grambling St., noon Nov. 14 Alcorn St., TBA Nov. 28 at Alabama A&M, 11 a.m.

TEXAS ST. Sep. 5 at Florida St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 Prairie View, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 Southern Miss., 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Houston, TBA Oct. 10 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Oct. 24 South Alabama, TBA Oct. 29 at Ga. Southern, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 14 Georgia St., TBA Nov. 19 Louisiana-Monroe, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 at Idaho, 2 p.m.

Dec. 5 at Arkansas St., 2 p.m.

TEXAS TECH Sep. 5 Sam Houston St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 UTEP, noon Sep. 19 at Arkansas, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 TCU, TBA Oct. 3 Baylor, TBA Oct. 10 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 17 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 24 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 31 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 7 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 14 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 26 at Texas, 4:30 p.m.

TOLEDO Sep. 3 Stony Brook, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Arkansas, 1 p.m.

Sep. 19 Iowa St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 Arkansas St., TBA Oct. 3 at Ball St., noon Oct. 10 Kent St., noon Oct. 17 E. Michigan, TBA Oct. 24 at UMass, TBA Nov. 3 N. Illinois, 5 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Cent. Michigan, 5 p.m.

Nov. 17 at Bowling Green, TBA Nov. 27 W. Michigan, TBA

TROY Sep. 5 at NC State, 3 p.m.

Sep. 12 Charleston Southern, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Wisconsin, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 South Alabama, TBA Oct. 10 at Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 17 Idaho, TBA Oct. 24 at New Mexico St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Appalachian St., TBA Nov. 7 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Nov. 14 Georgia Southern, TBA Nov. 27 at Georgia St., TBA Dec. 5 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA

TULANE Sep. 3 Duke, 6:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Georgia Tech, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Maine, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 UCF, TBA Oct. 10 at Temple, TBA Oct. 16 Houston, 6 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Navy, 10 a.m.

Oct. 31 at Memphis, TBA Nov. 7 UConn, TBA Nov. 14 at Army, 9 a.m.

Nov. 21 at SMU, TBA Nov. 27 Tulsa, TBA

TULSA Sep. 5 FAU, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at New Mexico, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Oklahoma, 9 a.m.

Oct. 3 Houston, TBA Oct. 10 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 17 at East Carolina, TBA Oct. 23 Memphis, 5 p.m.

Oct. 31 at SMU, TBA Nov. 7 UCF, TBA Nov. 14 at Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 21 Navy, TBA Nov. 27 at Tulane, TBA

UCF Sep. 3 FIU, 3 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Stanford, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Furman, 3 p.m.

Sep. 26 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 3 at Tulane, TBA Oct. 10 UConn, TBA Oct. 17 at Temple, TBA Oct. 24 Houston, TBA Oct. 31 at Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 7 at Tulsa, TBA Nov. 19 East Carolina, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 27 South Florida, TBA

UCLA Sep. 5 Virginia, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at UNLV, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 BYU, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 3 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 15 at Stanford, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 22 California, 6 p.m.

Oct. 31 Colorado, TBA Nov. 7 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 14 Washington St., TBA Nov. 21 at Utah, TBA Nov. 28 at Southern Cal, TBA

UCONN Sep. 3 Villanova, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Army, 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 at Missouri, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Navy, TBA Oct. 2 at BYU, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 10 at UCF, TBA Oct. 17 South Florida, TBA Oct. 24 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 30 East Carolina, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 21 Houston, TBA Nov. 28 at Temple, TBA

UMASS Sep. 12 at Colorado, 11 a.m.

Sep. 19 Temple, noon Sep. 26 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 FIU, TBA Oct. 10 at Bowling Green, TBA Oct. 17 Kent St., 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Toledo, TBA Oct. 31 at Ball St., TBA Nov. 7 Akron, TBA Nov. 14 at E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 21 Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 27 at Buffalo, TBA

UNLV Sep. 5 at N. Illinois, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 UCLA, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Michigan, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Idaho St., 6 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Nevada, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 San Jose St., 6 p.m.

Oct. 16 at Fresno St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 Boise St., TBA Nov. 7 Hawaii, 3 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Colorado St., 4 p.m.

Nov. 21 San Diego St., 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 at Wyoming, 11 a.m.

UTEP Sep. 5 at Arkansas, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Texas Tech, noon Sep. 19 at New Mexico St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 Incarnate Word, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 UTSA, 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 at FIU, 9 a.m.

Oct. 24 FAU, 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Southern Miss., TBA Nov. 6 Rice, 5 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Old Dominion, TBA Nov. 21 Louisiana Tech, TBA Nov. 28 at North Texas, TBA

UTSA Sep. 3 at Arizona, 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 Kansas St., 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 at Oklahoma St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Colorado St., 4 p.m.

Oct. 3 at UTEP, 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Southern Miss., 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 at North Texas, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 Old Dominion, 4 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Charlotte, TBA Nov. 21 Rice, 4 p.m.

Nov. 28 Middle Tennessee, 8:30 p.m.

UTAH Sep. 3 Michigan, 5:30 p.m.

Sep. 11 Utah St., 6 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Fresno St., 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Oregon, TBA Oct. 10 California, TBA Oct. 17 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 24 at Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 31 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 7 at Washington, TBA Nov. 14 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 21 UCLA, TBA Nov. 28 Colorado, TBA

UTAH ST. Sep. 3 S. Utah, TBA Sep. 11 at Utah, 6 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Washington, 2 p.m.

Oct. 3 Colorado St., TBA Oct. 10 at Fresno St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 Boise St., 6 p.m.

Oct. 23 at San Diego St., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 Wyoming, 7:15 p.m.

Nov. 7 at New Mexico, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Air Force, TBA Nov. 21 Nevada, TBA Nov. 28 BYU, 12:30 p.m.

VANDERBILT Sep. 3 W. Kentucky, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 Georgia, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Austin Peay, 1 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 3 at Middle Tennessee, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 24 Missouri, TBA Oct. 31 at Houston, TBA Nov. 7 at Florida, TBA Nov. 14 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 21 Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 28 at Tennessee, TBA

VIRGINIA Sep. 5 at UCLA, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 William & Mary, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 25 Boise St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 17 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 24 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 31 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 7 at Miami, TBA Nov. 14 at Louisville, TBA Nov. 21 Duke, TBA Nov. 28 Virginia Tech, TBA

VIRGINIA TECH Sep. 7 Ohio St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 Furman, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Purdue, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at East Carolina, TBA Oct. 3 Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 9 NC State, 5 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Miami, TBA Oct. 24 Duke, TBA Oct. 31 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 12 at Georgia Tech, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 North Carolina, TBA Nov. 28 at Virginia, TBA

W. KENTUCKY Sep. 3 at Vanderbilt, 5 p.m.

Sep. 10 Louisiana Tech, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Indiana, 1 p.m.

Sep. 26 Miami (Ohio), 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Rice, 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 10 Middle Tennessee, TBA Oct. 15 at North Texas, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at LSU, TBA Oct. 31 at Old Dominion, TBA Nov. 7 FAU, TBA Nov. 21 at FIU, TBA Nov. 27 Marshall, 9 a.m.

W. MICHIGAN Sep. 4 Michigan St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Georgia Southern, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 Murray St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Ohio St., TBA Oct. 10 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 17 at Ohio, TBA Oct. 24 Miami (Ohio), 11 a.m.

Oct. 29 at E. Michigan, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 5 Ball St., 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 11 Bowling Green, 5 p.m.

Nov. 18 at N. Illinois, 5 p.m.

Nov. 27 at Toledo, TBA

WAKE FOREST Sep. 3 Elon, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Syracuse, 9:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Army, 9 a.m.

Sep. 26 Indiana, TBA Oct. 3 Florida St., TBA Oct. 10 at Boston College, TBA Oct. 17 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 24 NC State, TBA Oct. 30 Louisville, 4 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 28 Duke, TBA

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

WASHINGTON Sep. 4 at Boise St., 7:15 p.m.

Sep. 12 Sacramento St., 11 a.m.

Sep. 19 Utah St., 2 p.m.

Sep. 26 California, TBA Oct. 8 at Southern Cal, 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 Oregon, TBA Oct. 24 at Stanford, TBA Oct. 31 Arizona, TBA Nov. 7 Utah, TBA Nov. 14 at Arizona St., TBA Nov. 21 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 27 Washington St., TBA

WASHINGTON ST. Sep. 5 Portland St., 11 a.m.

Sep. 12 at Rutgers, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Wyoming, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at California, TBA Oct. 10 at Oregon, TBA Oct. 17 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 24 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 31 Stanford, TBA Nov. 7 Arizona St., TBA Nov. 14 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 21 Colorado, TBA Nov. 27 at Washington, TBA

WEST VIRGINIA Sep. 5 Georgia Southern, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 12 Liberty, noon Sep. 26 Maryland, TBA Oct. 3 at Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 10 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 17 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 29 at TCU, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 14 Texas, TBA Nov. 21 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 28 Iowa St., TBA Dec. 5 at Kansas St., TBA

WISCONSIN Sep. 5 at Alabama, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 Miami (Ohio), 9 a.m.

Sep. 19 Troy, 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 Hawaii, 5 p.m.

Oct. 3 Iowa, TBA Oct. 10 at Nebraska, TBA Oct. 17 Purdue, 9 a.m.

Oct. 24 at Illinois, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 Rutgers, TBA Nov. 7 at Maryland, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 Northwestern, TBA Nov. 28 at Minnesota, TBA

WYOMING Sep. 5 North Dakota, 1 p.m.

Sep. 12 E. Michigan, 1 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Washington St., 5:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 New Mexico, noon Oct. 3 at Appalachian St., TBA Oct. 10 at Air Force, TBA Oct. 17 Nevada, TBA Oct. 24 at Boise St., TBA Oct. 30 at Utah St., 7:15 p.m.

Nov. 7 Colorado St., TBA Nov. 14 at San Diego St., 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 UNLV, 11 a.m.

BIG SKY All times Pacific

CAL POLY Sep. 5 at Montana, 6 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Arizona St., 8 p.m.

Sep. 19 N. Iowa, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Montana St., 12:35 p.m.

Oct. 3 Idaho St., 6:05 p.m.

Oct. 10 at E. Washington, 1:05 p.m.

Oct. 24 Portland St., 6:05 p.m.

Oct. 31 at S. Utah, TBA Nov. 7 Sacramento St., 6:05 p.m.

Nov. 14 at UC Davis, 2 p.m.

Nov. 21 North Dakota, 6:05 p.m.

EWU Sep. 5 at Oregon, 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 at N. Iowa, 2 p.m.

Sep. 19 Montana St., 1:05 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Sacramento St., 6:05 p.m.

Oct. 10 Cal Poly, 1:05 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Idaho St., 1:35 p.m.

Oct. 24 at N. Colorado, 12:35 p.m.

Oct. 31 Weber St., 12:05 p.m.

Nov. 7 N. Arizona, 3:05 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Montana, noon Nov. 21 Portland St., 2:05 p.m.

IDAHO ST. Sep. 5 Black Hills St., 3:05 p.m.

Sep. 12 Portland St., 3:05 p.m.

Sep. 18 at Boise St., 6 p.m.

Sep. 26 at UNLV, 6 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Cal Poly, 6:05 p.m.

Oct. 10 at North Dakota, 11 a.m.

Oct. 17 E. Washington, 1:35 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Sacramento St., 6:05 p.m.

Nov. 7 Montana, 12:35 p.m.

Nov. 14 Montana St., 12:35 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Weber St., noon

MONTANA Aug. 29 N. Dakota St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 5 Cal Poly, 6 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Liberty, 4 p.m.

Sep. 26 N. Arizona, 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 3 at UC Davis, 1 p.m.

Oct. 10 Weber St., TBA Oct. 24 North Dakota, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Portland St., 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Idaho St., 12:35 p.m.

Nov. 14 E. Washington, noon Nov. 21 at Montana St., 11:05 a.m.

MONTANA ST. Sep. 3 Fort Lewis, 6:05 p.m.

Sep. 19 at E. Washington, 1:05 p.m.

Sep. 26 Cal Poly, 12:35 p.m.

Oct. 3 at N. Arizona, 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 Sacramento St., 4:05 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Portland St., 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 ETSU, 1:35 p.m.

Oct. 31 at North Dakota, 11 a.m.

Nov. 7 S. Utah, TBA Nov. 14 at Idaho St., 12:35 p.m.

Nov. 21 Montana, 11:05 a.m.

NO. ARIZONA Sep. 5 at Stephen F. Austin, 4 p.m.

Sep. 12 NM Highlands, 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Arizona, 8 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Montana, 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 3 Montana St., 4 p.m.

Oct. 10 at UC Davis, 4 p.m.

Oct. 24 Weber St., 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 N. Colorado, 2 p.m.

Nov. 7 at E. Washington, 3:05 p.m.

Nov. 14 Sacramento St., 1 p.m.

Nov. 21 at S. Utah, TBA

NO. COLORADO Sep. 5 Western St. (Col.), 12:35 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Houston Baptist, 5 p.m.

Sep. 19 at S. Utah, 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 Weber St., 12:35 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Sacramento St., 6:05 p.m.

Oct. 17 UC Davis, 12:35 p.m.

Oct. 24 E. Washington, 12:35 p.m.

Oct. 31 at N. Arizona, 2 p.m.

Nov. 7 Portland St., 11 a.m.

Nov. 14 at North Dakota, 11 a.m.

Nov. 21 Abilene Christian, 11 a.m.

NORTH DAKOTA Sep. 5 at Wyoming, 1 p.m.

Sep. 12 Drake, 3 p.m.

Sep. 19 at N. Dakota St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 26 UC Davis, 11 a.m.

Oct. 3 at Portland St., 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 10 Idaho St., 11 a.m.

Oct. 17 at Weber St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Montana, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 Montana St., 11 a.m.

Nov. 14 N. Colorado, 11 a.m.

Nov. 21 at Cal Poly, 6:05 p.m.

PORTLAND ST. Sep. 5 at Washington St., 11 a.m.

Sep. 12 at Idaho St., 3:05 p.m.

Sep. 26 W. Oregon, 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 3 North Dakota, 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 10 at North Texas, TBA Oct. 17 Montana St., 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Cal Poly, 6:05 p.m.

Oct. 31 Montana, 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 7 at N. Colorado, 11 a.m.

Nov. 14 S. Utah, 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 21 at E. Washington, 2:05 p.m.

SACRAMENTO ST. Sep. 5 E. Oregon, 6:05 p.m.

Sep. 12 at Washington, 11 a.m.

Sep. 19 at Weber St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 E. Washington, 6:05 p.m.

Oct. 3 N. Colorado, 6:05 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Montana St., 4:05 p.m.

Oct. 17 at S. Utah, 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 Idaho St., 5:05 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Cal Poly, 5:05 p.m.

Nov. 14 at N. Arizona, 1 p.m.

Nov. 21 UC Davis, TBA

SO. UTAH Sep. 3 at Utah St., TBA Sep. 12 at S. Dakota St., 4 p.m.

Sep. 19 N. Colorado, 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 Brevard, 5 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Weber St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 17 Sacramento St., 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at UC Davis, 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 Cal Poly, TBA Nov. 7 at Montana St., TBA Nov. 14 at Portland St., 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 21 N. Arizona, TBA

UC DAVIS Sep. 3 at Nevada, 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 South Dakota, 6 p.m.

Sep. 19 at Hawaii, 8:59 p.m.

Sep. 26 at North Dakota, 11 a.m.

Oct. 3 Montana, 1 p.m.

Oct. 10 N. Arizona, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 at N. Colorado, 12:35 p.m.

Oct. 24 S. Utah, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Weber St., 11 a.m.

Nov. 14 Cal Poly, 2 p.m.

Nov. 21 at Sacramento St., TBA

WEBER ST. Sep. 4 at Oregon St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 12 at N. Dakota St., 12:30 p.m.

Sep. 19 Sacramento St., 5 p.m.

Sep. 26 at N. Colorado, 12:35 p.m.

Oct. 2 S. Utah, 5 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Montana, TBA Oct. 17 North Dakota, 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at N. Arizona, 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 at E. Washington, 12:05 p.m.

Nov. 7 UC Davis, 11 a.m.

Nov. 21 Idaho St., noon

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13

Main

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

G

THURSDAY

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PAGE T13

Boise St. Broncos

ON THE RISE

Associated Press

Freshman quarterback Brett Rypien hands off to Ryan Wolpin at practice. The Shadle Park graduate is in the mix to replace Grant Hedrick.

Talented Broncos have chance at something special after strong finish last season

By Tim Booth Associated Press

B

ryan Harsin closed out the 2014 season by hoisting the Fiesta Bowl trophy for the third time during Boise State’s remarkable rise.

That was far from the most important moment of Harsin’s first season in charge of the Broncos. For the head coach, the apex came nearly three months earlier after his team was handed an embarrassing beating

by Air Force and the Broncos bounced back.

“That was really the turning point of our season,” Harsin said. “That’s what made it the most fun, just how our guys responded to getting our butts beat, bottom line.”

Boise State went on to win its final nine games after that loss, capped by its victory over Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl. It set the stage for what could be a special 2015 season.

There are questions to answer – namely how to replace do-everything running back Jay Ajayi – but should Boise State navigate a difficult first month of the season, it could once again be back in the national conversation.

The Broncos are again the favorites in the Mountain West. They have defensive stars in safety Darian Thompson and linebacker Tanner Vallejo, and a powerful defensive front. Their offensive line returns all five starters, led by Marcus Henry and Rees Odhiambo.

Do they have a chance to be part of the College Football Playoff? Maybe.

Maybe not. The first seven games – beginning with an emotional reunion with Chris Petersen as Washington visits the blue turf – will be significant.

Here are other things to watch at Boise State:

not my decision,” Harsin said. “If somebody really pulls away and separates, we’re also not going to sit back and play this game of waiting just because we think we have to.”

Replacing Ajayi It’ll be nearly impossible to match Ajayi’s production last season. Ajayi finished with 1,823 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns, plus 50 receptions and another four touchdowns through the air. Replacing him won’t be a one-man job. The Broncos will rely on a stable of backs including brothers Cory and Kelsey Young, the latter a transfer from Stanford, where he averaged 6.4 yards per carry during his three seasons.

SHOW YOUR COLORS

Picking one spot Because of injuries, Vallejo played all over the Broncos defense last season, starting games at both nickel back and middle linebacker, and capped his season by becoming the defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl.

That versatility is a benefit for the Broncos defense. But they’re also ready to see how impactful he can be in one specific spot – linebacker.

“Tanner was a guy last year, we put him where he was going to be the most effective for our football team and he did exactly that. I couldn’t say more about a player being unselfish in doing those things and being productive at the same time,” Harsin said.

Next in line Boise State has produced a line of quality defensive backs that have gone on to solid NFL careers.

Thompson could be the next. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior anchors a defensive backfield that is filled with upperclassmen and had 18 combined interceptions last season. Thompson grabbed seven of those picks.

Under center

Survive the first half

If there is one big question for the Broncos, it’s who will step in to replace Grant Hedrick at quarterback. Sophomore Ryan Finley exited spring practice as the clear leader, but an April misdemeanor arrest clouded his status. Harsin said Finley is eligible and won’t face further discipline for his arrest. Finley is the leader, although the Broncos have other options in Tommy Stuart, Alex Ogle and freshman Brett Rypien.

“I’m not going to rush to make a decision, but at the same time, that’s

Take away the Broncos’ emotional reunion with Petersen when Washington becomes the fourth Pac-12 school to visit the blue turf and it’s still a difficult first half for Boise State. After the opener, the Broncos travel to BYU. After a brief respite against Idaho State, the Broncos play three of the next four on the road at Virginia, at Colorado State and perhaps their most difficult MWC game, at Utah State.

Get through the first seven games unscathed and it could be another special season in Boise.

ŝĚ LJŽƵ ŬŶŽǁ ƚŚĂƚ ĨŽƌ ĞǀĞƌLJ ^ĞĂƩůĞ ^ĞĂŚĂǁŬƐ ůŝĐĞŶƐĞ ƉůĂƚĞ ƐŽůĚ ΨϮϴ ŐŽĞƐ ƚŽ /ŶǀĞƐƚ ͕ Ă ƐƚĂƚĞǁŝĚĞ ŶŽŶƉƌŽĮƚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ ďĞŶĞĮƟŶŐ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ ŝŶ ŶĞĞĚ͍ >ĂƐƚ LJĞĂƌ /ŶǀĞƐƚ ŚĞůƉĞĚ ĂůŵŽƐƚ Ϯϭ͕ϬϬϬ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ ŐĞƚ ƚŽ ƐĐŚŽŽů͕ ƐƚĂLJ ŝŶ ƐĐŚŽŽů ĂŶĚ ŐƌĂĚƵĂƚĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƐĐŚŽŽů͕ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚŝŶŐƐ ůŝŬĞ ĂƚŚůĞƟĐ ĨĞĞƐ͕ ĞLJĞ ŐůĂƐƐĞƐ Žƌ ŐƌĂĚƵĂƟŽŶ ĞdžƉĞŶƐĞƐ͘ dŚĂŶŬ LJŽƵ ^ĞĂƩůĞ ^ĞĂŚĂǁŬƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ϭϮƐ͊

To support your Team and Students: ǁǁǁ͘ĚŽů͘ǁĂ͘ŐŽǀͬǀĞŚŝĐůĞƌĞŐŝƐƚƌĂƟŽŶͬƐƉƐĞĂŚĂǁŬƐ͘Śƚŵů www.InvestED.org

Shadle Park turns to the run

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

North Central returns 15 starters and will feature a new coach, Tom Griggs, who moves over from Riverside.

“Our defense and running attack were the strengths of our team in spring ball and (summer) camp,” Griggs said. “With the work put in, we are looking to win more games than NC has won in a long time.”

SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

Griggs takes over at North Central

Shadle Park was hit by graduation, and no team suffered a more difficult loss than the Highlanders with the graduation of quarterback Brett Rypien. The Highlanders will go from a passing attack to a running-first team.

“Despite a tough nonleague schedule and the implementation of a new offense, we have a hard-working, dedicated group of young men that are dedicated to be successful and carry on the winning tradition developing at Shadle Park,” second-year coach Jim Mace said.

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19 starters return at Rogers

THURSDAY

Rogers brings back 10 starters on offense and nine on defense.

The Pirates may have one of the best athletes in the league in speedy senior receiver Khalil Winfrey.

“We’re excited about this year,” second-year coach Ben Cochran said. “Every game we will come to compete and challenge ourselves to play at our potential.”

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The quality of play in the GSL 3A isn’t likely to be as deep as in 4A. The easy pick to win is Mt. Spokane, a team that’s been there and done that.

And Rogers has the inside track to qualify for the postseason for the first time in school history.

Here’s a look around the league: Mt. Spokane graduated 14 starters and lost 21 seniors off a team that went 10-3 and Predicted advanced to the finish order semifinals.

1. Mt. Spokane Still, Wildcats coach 2. Rogers Terry Cloer expects 3. Shadle Park nothing less than a title.

4. North Central “We need the defense to carry the offense early,” Cloer said.

“Truthfully that’s what happened last year. It took us a while last year with our new concepts.”

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By Greg Lee

Wildcats team to beat

3A GREATER SPOKANE LEAGUE

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GSL 4A a wide open race if Prep falters The last couple of years Gonzaga Prep coach Dave McKenna has gone into the season trying to find offensive linemen.

This year that’s not McKenna’s biggest challenge. Far from it. He returns three starters.

Coupled with the fact the Bullpups return a starter at quarterback, Liam Bell, and a freak athlete in do-anything Nick Johnson, and Gonzaga Prep could have a formidable offense.

And, oh by the way, the Bullpups return their front seven on defense – a defense anchored by another athletic freak, University of California-bound Evan Weaver, who will see spot time at fullback.

“We could be very good,” McKenna said. “I don’t want to jinx anything but I

definitely think we’re going to have a great year.”

It’s no wonder the Bullpups are picked to win the Greater Spokane League 4A championship. But it shouldn’t be easy.

Five of six teams are considered strong contenders for three play-in berths. Ferris is considered on the outside looking in because of a youth movement.

4A coaches believe as many as four teams could win the league title.

Here’s a look around the league:

Tigers believe time has come The team given the best chance to challenge G-Prep is Lewis and Clark.

When the Tigers seniors were freshmen, they went through league

Follow preps reporter Greg Lee on Twitter @srpreps

undefeated. It’s understandable that LC’s seniors believe that can be duplicated this year.

LC returns 14 starters, led by standout defensive end/tight end Blake Ochsner.

The most glaring area of concern is the secondary, which is being rebuilt.

“We have a senior-dominated team with lots of experience,” Dave Hughes said. “If they show up and stay healthy, we should be vying for a playoff spot.”

Bears may find out early

title chase is Central Valley.

The Bears return six starters on offense – led by senior quarterback Tanner Sloan – and five starters on defense, along with 25 lettermen.

The Bears took some lumps last year, especially early. But they’re poised to have a solid year.

CV and LC will find out exactly where they stand early since they open league against each other.

Titans big and experienced If either G-Prep, LC or CV stumble, University is poised to leap frog into postseason contention.

The Titans bring back 16 starters but must replace bruising all-league

Another team that could be in the

See GSL 4A, T21

JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com

At 6-foot-7 and around 300 pounds, Central Valley tackle Scott Peck isn’t hard to pick out as he waits with his teammates for drills to start.

READY TO STAND OUT Finally free of puzzling injury, Peck sets sights on senior season basketball season.

The Pecks were driving over to Seattle for surgery when they got a Stories by Greg Lee call from Harborview. The doctor gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168 scheduled to operate had slipped and cott Peck has been on quite an fallen, suffering a concussion. odyssey.

So a week later, Peck met with For the first time since early another doctor. Surgery followed in his sophomore year, the with a plate and six screws being Central Valley senior will play inserted. The plate and screws will sports injury free. never come out.

Sometime during a preseason open Four weeks after surgery, he was gym two years ago, Peck injured his placed in a boot. He was in the boot right ankle. Then five games into the for another nine weeks. He sat at the basketball season, he had to stop end of CV’s basketball bench, serving playing. as the team’s manager.

“I don’t even remember anything After getting out of the boot, Peck specifically on how I may have hurt was allowed to begin light jogging for it,” Peck said. “I just felt this weird three weeks. That progressed to pain. I remember after the last running and being able to do JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com lower-body weight lifting. basketball game I played that year, I Central Valley tackle Scott Peck hits the tackling sled during a practice. could barely walk.”

He was cleared for Border League After considering several offers, Peck committed to Utah.

This is where the exhausting football camp in June. He also journey begins. By mid-November of participated in two basketball last year, Peck had seen five doctors tournaments and a team camp.

Then after the season, he saw two practice began two weeks ago. “I before something conclusive was “It feels completely normal,” Peck knew my junior season was one of the more doctors. diagnosed. said.

“They both examined it and they most important for recruiting. I After cutting his sophomore “It’s been a long time coming for needed video for colleges to see. I just couldn’t find anything either,” Peck basketball season short, Peck went to had to get on the field.” that kid,” CV basketball coach Rick said. “It was incredible frustration.” see the first doctor. After an X-ray Sloan said. “I’m just hoping he can One of the doctors suggested Peck Peck conditioned with CV on a didn’t reveal anything, the doctor get a CT scan and take it have a healthy senior year because limited basis. When the suggested physical therapy. he’s a kid that deserves it.” to Harborview Medical offense went over plays After three weeks there was no A left tackle, Peck gave the Center in Seattle. for that week’s improvement, Peck said. He saw “I got the scan and we University of Utah an oral opponent, Peck would another doctor who suggested drove over to Seattle,” he commitment two days before fall participate. But coach another round of physical therapy. practice began. He chose Utah over said. “Within five to 10 Rick Giampietri limited Predicted A month later there were no Washington State, Boise State, minutes the doctor said Peck’s overall time on finish order results.

Eastern Washington, Montana, he saw it.” the field until game day.

1. Gonzaga Prep “I was very frustrated,” Peck said.

Peck had a fracture in Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

The mornings after 2. Lewis and Clark Peck’s father suggested he wear a “There were a few schools that had the front part of his talus. games were difficult.

3. Central Valley cast. But four weeks later Peck tried “The doctor said I was flashy clothes and facilities but I “They were very 4. University to run again and there was no extremely lucky it didn’t didn’t feel like I could build a family painful for him. He 5. Mead improvement. of brothers with my teammates and break all the way could hardly move,” 6. Ferris The Pecks knew where the pain through because it would coaches at other places like I can at Giampietri said. was located. It was in the talus – the Utah,” Peck said. have been “I favored it,” Peck large bone in the ankle that connects said. “It was almost like Giampietri also plans to use Peck in career-ending,” Peck to the leg and foot. spot duty at defensive tackle. said. “I was mad that it took so long playing with a peg leg. I couldn’t By this time, it was time for “He’s a force in there,” Giampietri but, overall, I was relieved to find out extend on my toes. I got it taped up football. He got a cortisone shot. said. what it was.” and wore a brace every game.”

“I didn’t have any other options,” And it should be more evident this So Peck returned home with Peck made it through the season, said Peck, who measured 6-foot-7 and earning first-team all-Greater year than last since he’s finally surgery scheduled two weeks later. weighed 300 pounds a day before fall Spokane League honors. healthy.

That meant he’d miss his junior

GSL 4A

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LRS primed for another postseason run NORTHEAST 2B

By Chris Derrick chrisd@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5502

healthy and bring along slowly.”

Whitmore can count on successful veteran lines. LRS returns senior Skyler Oestreich (6-foot-3, 225 pounds), a first-team all-leaguer on both sides; senior Dallas Killian, a second-teamer on both sides; and senior Alexis Guizar (5-9, 265), a second-teamer on defense.

The Broncos also return senior Jacob Saetre (5-8, 150), a first-team selection at defensive back who also shared time at QB.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague’s quest for a third consecutive State 2B title ended last November during a windy, bitterly cold semifinal against Okanogan at Moses Lake.

Okanogan, using its potent running game, ended the Broncos’ Predicted 38-game winning streak with a 34-0 victory.

Colfax finish order Okanogan defeated Colfax (6-4, 6-3), fourth place 1. LRS Napavine the following last year in league, is loaded 2. Colfax week to take the state with all-league returners and 3. Reardan crown that LRS claimed in considered the top challenge to 4. Northwest Chr. 2012 and ’13.

LRS’ reign.

5. Liberty Despite the graduation Senior Keith Gfeller (6-3, 170), 6. Davenport of several key players, the a first-teamer at wide receiver 7. Kettle Falls and defensive back, will play QB Broncos (12-1, 9-0 last 8. Wilbur-Creston this season. season) are clear favorites 9. Springdale Senior Tyler Kincaid (5-10, to repeat as Northeast 2B 240) was a first-team champs and start another linebacker and second-team offensive lineman. postseason run.

Other second-team selections were senior “We will need to count on our Cody Fulfs (5-10, 185) at running back and experienced offensive and defensive junior Jared Kneale (6-4, 195) at tight end. lines to control the line of scrimmage “(We have) good size up front and speed in this year,” LRS coach Greg Whitmore our skill players,” Bulldogs coach Mike Morgan said. “We will need to run the ball said. “A lot of kids played some important effectively. We will have a young minutes last year.” quarterback who we will need to keep

Tekoa-Rosalia picks 8-man Tekoa-Rosalia, formerly of the Northeast 2B league, has decided to play 8-man football this year as an independent. Because their attendance is too high to qualify for 1B, they will not be eligible for the state playoffs.

Reardan Reardan (9-2, 8-1) finished runner-up to LRS last season and is always a threat, even when hit by graduation.

“We only have three seniors this year, so we are going to be young and fairly inexperienced,” Indians coach Eric Nikkola said.

Two of those seniors were all-league, second-team defensive picks last year: lineman Josey Anderson and linebacker Dustyn Rettkowski.

Northwest Christian Northwest Christian, in its third season of football, is the league’s team on the rise.

“Northwest Christian is the dark horse to win the title this year,” Colfax’s Morgan said. “This is their first senior class of football players. They return everyone from last year’s team.”

Senior quarterback David Olds (6-2, 180) missed five games last season because of an injury but has thrown for more than 3,000

yards in two seasons.

The Crusaders’ special teams have made a mark. Senior Joey Biel (5-11, 170) is a two-time, all-league place-kicker and senior Nathan Sander (6-1, 195) was a second-team kick returner after returning three for touchdowns last season.

Junior tight end/defensive end Tristian Carolus-Knudson (6-0, 180), described by coach Jim Nendel as an “explosive player,” is eligible after transferring from Shadle Park.

“If we stay healthy, we should be in the hunt for a state playoff berth,” Nendel said.

Around the league Other returning second-team, all-league players include Davenport senior Ian Hunton (5-10, 180), offensive line; Liberty senior Maxwell Johnson (5-10, 190), offensive line; and Liberty junior Tyler Haas (5-8, 165), linebacker. … Besides Hunton, Davenport’s other three-year lettermen are senior Cruz Placensia and junior Pierce Jeske. … Liberty’s roster is limited to three seniors. The Lancers’ offensive leaders are juniors Austin Colby (RB), Josh Larsen (WR), Chase Burnham (WR), Garrett Rogers (QB) and Patrick Paredes (TE). …

Wilbur-Creston senior Dorian Jaeger will move from right tackle to QB. Wildcats senior WR/RB Kyle Bodeau had 850 all-purpose yards and eight TDs last season. … Springdale returns eight starters and 14 lettermen. … Kettle Falls returns eight starters and 18 lettermen.

The Bulldogs are heavily junior-oriented.

DAN PELLE danp@spokesman.com

Last season, Cheney’s Ty Graham was an all-Great Northern League first-team defensive back and made the second team as a running back.

FAMILY BUSINESS

Cheney’s Graham, others in GNL, were born to play football GREAT NORTHERN

By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5437

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he football has been in Ty Graham’s hands since he was out of diapers, so why stop now?

Last year, the Cheney star saw action at almost every skill position – running back, quarterback and receiver – in addition to defensive back.

Things won’t be as crazy this year, said coach Bobby Byrd, who will anchor his star senior at running back. But that doesn’t mean Graham won’t try to carry the Blackhawks on his back.

“He’s been the ultimate competitor the last couple of years,” Byrd said of Graham, who’s been a starter since his freshman year and hopes to play in college.

“He has an edge to him,” Byrd said.

That edge was honed at home, in a football family headed by Eastern Washington assistant John Graham and his wife, Becky.

“Being around a college football coach my whole life, it’s helped me understand the game a lot more than most kids do,” Ty Graham said.

Following in the footsteps of older brother Andrew, “He’s been around the game since he could walk,” John Graham said. “We tried to hold him back as long as we could,” but finally relented when Ty hit fourth grade.

Last year, Graham was

second-team all-Great Northern the Eagles figure to take the fast track. That League after rushing for 186 yards on means another big year from all-GNL wide just 25 carries, but may have made a receiver Tevin Duke. bigger impact on defense. A heavy “Tevin has great physical skills and he’s hitter, Graham also had three not afraid to put in the work,” said WV coach interceptions on the way to being Craig Whitney, noting that Duke is regularly named first-team all-GNL. showing up an hour early for practice and “I love flying down the field and catching balls from a throwing machine. popping some kids a little The 5-10, 175-pound Duke is bit,” said Graham, who’ll “not really a vocal person,” but play strong safety this Whitney expects him to be a leader for a team that hopes to year. return to the postseason after “He’s been a rock for us going 5-5 last year. on defense,” said Byrd, Predicted The other deep threat is Zech who lost several key finish order Herford, who like Duke plays on performers from last 1. Clarkston both sides of the ball. year’s team that went 7-3 2. West Valley “We’re not very big, but I overall, 2-2 in the GNL. 3. East Valley hope we can run past some 4. Cheney guys,” said Whitney, who Pullman pedigrees 5. Pullman returns eight starters and 23 Pullman will be leaning on a letterwinners. couple of big names to improve on last year’s 3-6 record.

East Valley enigma Last year as a junior, quarterback Mason The biggest mystery in the GNL this Petrino, the son of Idaho coach Bobby season might be the East Valley Knights, Petrino, completed 86 of 160 passes for a who are picked to finish anywhere between league-leading 986 yards and five second and last. touchdowns.

EV was 4-5 last year, but 16-year head One of his biggest targets was all-GNL coach Adam Fisher is counting on his skill tight end Ben Moos, a junior, the son of players to lead the Knights to a top-two Washington State Athletic Director Bill Moos. finish and a postseason berth.

Moos, who also was a first-team pick at Among 10 returning starters are senior defensive end, led the league with 23 quarterback Dante Clayton, and wide catches for 305 yards. receivers Tanner Jacobs and Trey Meyer. The Petrino also played defense last year, speed is bolstered by the addition of junior finishing with two interceptions. receivers Dawson Collins and Gavin Johnson, both of whom moved from Texas.

Clayton started the last three games of Duke sparks WV 2014 – all wins – which bolstered the If West Valley returns to the postseason,

coaches’ confidence.

“It was a good experience for him,” said Fisher, a former quarterback himself. “You don’t know until you actually get out there and do it, and also for the coaches to know that this guy can do it when the bullets are really flying.”

Balance of power It’s been seven years since anyone’s gone through the GNL unscathed, a fact that doesn’t surprise the coaches.

“Most of the schools are very similar in size, and the number of athletes that we have,” said WV’s Whitney. “The coaches also do a great job of scouting and game-planning – you’re not going to sneak up on anyone.”

Occasionally, the parity has been taken to extremes: in 2010 and 2012, the every team lost at least two league games.

Clarkston eyes repeat What a difference a title makes. A year ago, Clarkston was a consensus pick to finish last. This season the Bantams are a unanimous choice to repeat as champs.

And why not? Second-year coach Brycen Bye returns 13 starters and 20 letter winners from a team that went 3-1 in the GNL and 9-2 overall. First-team all-GNL quarterback A.J. Davis (57 for 104 for 809 yards and six TDs) is back. Other key returnees are two-way all-star lineman Hunter Sisemore, running back/linebacker Blake Rimmelspacher and wide receiver Trevon Allen.

“They return a good portion of their team, so it’ll be a good challenge for the rest of us,” Whitney said.

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

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WEEK BY WEEK

LaConner vs. Wilbur-Creston, 6 p.m.

Wallace vs. St. Maries JV, 7 p.m.

Reardan vs. Lind-Ritzville/Spr., 7 p.m.

Freeman vs. Medical Lake, 7 p.m.

Gonzaga Prep vs. Central Valley, 7 p.m.

Touchet vs. Colton, 7 p.m.

Liberty Chr. vs. Garfield-Palouse, 7 p.m.

Dayton vs. St. John-Endicott, 7 p.m.

Bonners Ferry vs. Priest River, 7 p.m.

Northport vs. Cusick, 7 p.m.

Chewelah vs. Deer Park, 7 p.m.

Colfax vs. Davenport, 7 p.m.

Liberty vs. Northwest Christian, 7 p.m.

Kellogg vs. Timberlake, 7 p.m.

Newport vs. Colville, 7 p.m.

Selkirk vs. Inchelium, 7 p.m.

Sandpoint vs. Moscow, 7 p.m.

Cheney vs. West Valley, 7 p.m.

Post Falls vs. Lewiston, 7 p.m.

Lakeland vs. Pullman, 7 p.m.

Coeur d’Alene vs. Lake City, 7 p.m.

Pateros vs. Odessa-Harrington, 7 p.m.

Riverside vs. Lakeside (WA), 7 p.m.

East Valley vs. Clarkston, 7 p.m.

University vs. Lewis and Clark, 7:30 p.m.

All times Pacific unless otherwise noted

Aug. 28 Rocky Mountain 49, Lake City 21 Skyline 22, Coeur d’Alene 0 Lewiston 49, Lakeland 7 Moscow 40, Grangeville 21 Bonners Ferry 24, Priest River 18 Wallace at Lapwai, cancelled Noxon at Clark Fork, ppd.

Aug. 29 St. Maries 38, Kellogg 7 Timberlake 20, Frenchtown 14 Sandpoint 20, Post Falls 19

Sept. 3 Republic vs. Entiat, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 Timberlake vs. Freeman, 7 p.m.

East Valley (Yakima) vs. Pullman, 7 p.m.

Garfield-Palouse vs. Wallace, 7 p.m.

Yakama Tribal vs. Cusick, 7 p.m.

Skyview (ID) vs. Post Falls, 7 p.m.

Kellogg vs. Lakeside (WA), 7 p.m.

Coeur d’Alene vs. Central Valley, 7 p.m.

Lake City vs. Lewis and Clark, 7 p.m.

Colton vs. Salmon River, 7 p.m.

Lakeland vs. West Valley, 7 p.m.

Chewelah vs. Priest River, 7 p.m.

Gonzaga Prep vs. Richland, 7 p.m.

Bonners Ferry vs. Newport, 7 p.m.

East Valley at Deer Park, 7 p.m.

Mt. Spokane vs. W.Valley (Yak.), 7 p.m.

University vs. Sandpoint, 7 p.m.

Mead vs. Wenatchee, 7 p.m.

Riverside vs. St. Maries, 7 p.m.

Colville vs. Cheney, 7 p.m.

Inchelium vs. Waterville, 7 p.m.

Selkirk vs. Columbia, 7 p.m.

Odessa-Harr. vs. St. John-End., 7 p.m.

Liberty Christian vs. ACH, 7 p.m.

Rogers vs. Eastmont, 7 p.m.

Springdale vs. Wilbur-Creston, 7 p.m.

Davenport vs. Lind-Ritzville/Spr., 7 p.m.

Colfax vs. Liberty, 7 p.m.

North Central vs. Lewiston, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 5 Ferris vs. Olympia in Seattle, 1 p.m.

Lakeside (Seattle) vs. Shadle Park, 1 p.m.

Northwest Christian vs. Neah Bay, 3 p.m.

Sept. 10 Eastmont vs. Mt. Spokane, 5 p.m.

Southridge vs. Mead, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 Cusick vs. Columbia, 3 p.m.

Touchet vs. Inchelium, 3 p.m.

Richland vs. Shadle Park, 5 p.m.

Post Falls vs. University, 6 p.m.

Newport vs. Priest River, 7 p.m.

Wilbur-Creston vs. Davenport, 7 p.m.

Lewiston vs. Sandpoint, 7 p.m.

East Valley vs. Lakeland, 7 p.m.

Lethbridge vs. Timberlake, 7 p.m.

Lind-Ritzville/Spr. vs. Springdale, 7 p.m.

Orofino vs. Kellogg, 7 p.m.

Warden vs. Chewelah, 7 p.m.

Gonzaga Prep vs. Bell. Prep, 7 p.m.

Lewis and Clark vs. Moses Lake, 7 p.m.

Lewis and Clark vs. Moses Lake, 7 p.m.

Central Valley vs. Lake City, 7 p.m.

Ferris vs. Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m.

Asotin vs. Riverside, 7 p.m.

Wallace vs. Kootenai, 7 p.m.

St. Maries vs. Riverside, 7 p.m.

Grangeville vs. Clarkston, 7 p.m.

Pullman vs. Freeman, 7 p.m.

ACH vs. Republic, 7 p.m.

Odessa-Harr. vs. Liberty Chr., 7 p.m.

West Valley vs. Colville, 7 p.m.

Pateros vs. Selkirk, 7 p.m.

Deer Park vs. Cheney, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 Central Valley vs. Ferris, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 23 DAN PELLE danp@spokesman.com

Mt. Spokane two-way starter Chase Gyllenhammer participates in defensive drills.

Northwest Chr. vs. Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

LaConner vs. Colfax, 7 p.m.

Troy (ID) vs. St. John-Endicott, 7 p.m.

Garfield-Pal. vs. Lakeside (ID), 7 p.m.

Rogers vs. Lakeside (WA), 7:30 p.m.

Moscow vs. North Central, 7:30 p.m.

Sept 17 West Valley vs. Rogers, 4:45 p.m.

Lake City vs. Shadle Park, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 18 Columbia vs. Inchelium, 3 p.m.

Central Valley vs. Lewis and Clark, 5 p.m.

Okanogan vs. Lind-Ritzville/Spr., 6 p.m.

Mt. Spokane vs. Sandpoint, 7 p.m.

Waterville vs. Selkirk, 7 p.m.

Pullman vs. Moscow, 7 p.m.

Wilbur-Creston vs. Colfax, 7 p.m.

Reardan vs. Northwest Christian, 7 p.m.

Clarkston vs. Lewiston, 7 p.m.

Riverside vs. Deer Park, 7 p.m.

Lakeside (WA) vs. Chewelah, 7 p.m.

Republic vs. Pateros, 7 p.m.

Wallace vs. Lakeside (ID), 7 p.m.

Dayton vs. Colton, 7 p.m.

Davenport vs. Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

Moses Lake vs. Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m.

Chestermere vs. Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

Medical Lake vs. Colville, 7 p.m.

Kellogg vs. St. Maries, 7 p.m.

Post Falls vs. East Valley, 7 p.m.

Libby vs. Priest River, 7 p.m.

Cusick vs. Odessa-Harrington, 7 p.m.

Ferris vs. University, 7 p.m.

Lakeland vs. Cheney, 7 p.m.

North Central vs. Sunnyside, 7 p.m.

Freeman vs. Newport, 7 p.m.

Gonzaga Prep vs. Mead, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 24 University vs. North Central, 4:45 p.m.

Gonzaga Prep vs. Mt. Spokane, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 25 Wellpinit vs. Inchelium, 3 p.m.

Northport vs. Odessa-Harrington, 3 p.m.

Mead vs. Rogers, 5 p.m.

Coeur d’Alene vs. Highland, 5:30 p.m.

La Grande vs. Bonners Ferry, 6 p.m.

Timberlake vs. Pullman, 7 p.m.

Selkirk vs. Wallace, 7 p.m.

Priest River vs. St. Maries, 7 p.m.

Deer Park vs. Medical Lake, 7 p.m.

Newport vs. Lakeside (WA), 7 p.m.

Chewelah vs. Freeman, 7 p.m.

Riverside vs. Colville, 7 p.m.

Clarkston vs. Orofino, 7 p.m.

Sunnyside vs. Cheney, 7 p.m.

Colfax vs. Northwest Christian, 7 p.m.

Kettle Falls vs. Liberty, 7 p.m.

Springdale vs. Davenport, 7 p.m.

LRS vs. Wilbur-Creston, 7 p.m.

Moscow vs. West Valley, 7 p.m.

Sandpoint vs. East Valley, 7 p.m.

Hermiston vs. Lewiston, 7 p.m.

Lakeland vs. Post Falls, 7 p.m.

Tumwater vs. Lake City, 7 p.m.

Sunnyside Christian vs. Colton, 7 p.m.

Garfield-Palouse vs. Touchet, 7 p.m.

Pomeroy vs. St. John-Endicott, 7 p.m.

Yakama Tribal vs. Republic, 7 p.m.

Cusick vs. ACH, 7 p.m.

Shadle Park vs. Central Valley, 7 p.m.

Ferris vs. Lewis and Clark, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 Central Valley vs. Mead, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 2 Lewis and Clark vs. North Central, 5 p.m.

Lewiston vs. Moscow, 5:30 p.m.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline vs. Entiat, 7 p.m.

Rogers vs. University, 7 p.m.

Shadle Park vs. Gonzaga Prep, 7 p.m.

Potlatch vs. Wallace, 7 p.m.

Dayton vs. Garfield-Palouse, 7 p.m.

St. John-Endicott vs. Colton, 7 p.m.

Newport vs. Deer Park, 7 p.m.

Colfax vs. Springdale, 7 p.m.

Inchelium vs. Republic, 7 p.m.

Northwest Chr. vs. LRS, 7 p.m.

East Valley vs. Cheney, 7 p.m.

Liberty vs. Davenport, 7 p.m.

Northport vs. Selkirk, 7 p.m.

Post Falls vs. Moses Lake, 7 p.m.

Wellpinit vs. Odessa-Harrington, 7 p.m.

Asotin vs. Kellogg, 7 p.m.

Pullman vs. West Valley, 7 p.m.

Timberlake vs. Lakeland, 7 p.m.

Wilbur-Creston vs. Reardan, 7 p.m.

Coeur d’Alene vs. Hermiston, 7 p.m.

Freeman vs. Riverside, 7 p.m.

Colville vs. Chewelah, 7 p.m.

Lake City vs. Sandpoint, 7 p.m.

Mt. Spokane vs. Ferris, 7:30 p.m.

Chelan vs. Clarkston, 7:45 p.m.

Oct. 3 St. Maries vs. Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 Clarkston vs. Moscow, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 Central Valley vs. N. Central, 4:45 p.m.

DeSales vs. Davenport, 6 p.m.

Rogers vs. Lewis and Clark, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 9 Odessa-Harrington vs. Columbia, 3 p.m.

Ferris vs. Shadle Park, 5 p.m.

Cheney vs. Moscow, 7 p.m.

Northport vs. Republic, 7 p.m.

Colton vs. Dayton, 7 p.m.

Chewelah vs. Riverside, 7 p.m.

Lake City vs. Post Falls, 7 p.m.

Kellogg vs. Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

Deer Park vs. Lakeside (WA), 7 p.m.

Kettle Falls vs. Colfax, 7 p.m.

Lind-Ritzville/Spr. vs. Liberty, 7 p.m.

Selkirk vs. Cusick, 7 p.m.

Clarkston vs. Pullman, 7 p.m.

Colville vs. Freeman, 7 p.m.

Grangeville vs. St. Maries, 7 p.m.

West Valley vs. East Valley, 7 p.m.

Mt. Spokane vs. Mead, 7:30 p.m.

University vs. Gonzaga Prep, 7 p.m.

ACH vs. Pateros, 7 p.m.

NW Chr. vs. Wilbur-Creston, 7 p.m.

Medical Lake vs. Newport, 7 p.m.

Priest River vs. Timberlake, 7 p.m.

Lewiston vs. Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m.

Lakeland vs. Sandpoint, 7 p.m.

St. John-End.vs. Garfield-Pal., 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 Rogers vs. Shadle Park, 4:45 p.m.

Mead vs. Ferris, 7:15 p.m.

ACH vs. Wellpinit, 3 p.m.

Republic vs. Columbia, 3 p.m.

North Central vs. Mt. Spokane, 5 p.m.

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Oct. 30 Northport vs. Inchelium, 3 p.m.

Lewis and Clark vs. Mead, 5 p.m.

Freeman vs. Deer Park, 7 p.m.

Cusick vs. Republic, 7 p.m.

West Valley vs. Clarkston, 7 p.m.

Chewelah vs. Medical Lake, 7 p.m.

Riverside vs. Newport, 7 p.m.

ACHvs. Odessa-Harrington, 7 p.m.

Cheney vs. Pullman, 7 p.m.

Springdale vs. Northwest Chr., 7 p.m.

Colfax vs. Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, 7 p.m.

Kettle Falls vs. Wilbur-Creston, 7 p.m.

Pomeroy vs. Colton, 7 p.m.

St. John-Endicott vs. Liberty Chr., 7 p.m.

Colville vs. Lakeside (WA), 7 p.m.

Ferris vs. Gonzaga Prep, 7 p.m.

University vs. Central Valley, 7 p.m.

Sunnyside Chr.vs. Garfield-Pal., 7 p.m.

North Central vs. Rogers, 7:30 p.m.

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Garfield-Palouse vs. Colton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16

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Mt. Spokane vs. Rogers, 5 p.m.

LRS vs. Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

Post Falls vs. Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m.

Northwest Chr. vs. Davenport, 7 p.m.

Lewiston vs. Lake City, 7 p.m.

Wilbur-Creston vs. Liberty, 7 p.m.

Reardan vs. Colfax, 7 p.m.

Timberlake vs. Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

Republic vs. Selkirk, 7 p.m.

Clarkston vs. Cheney, 7 p.m.

Odessa-Harrington vs. Entiat, 7 p.m.

Columbia vs. ACH, 7 p.m.

West Valley vs. Eisenhower, 7 p.m.

Inchelium vs. Cusick, 7 p.m.

Pullman vs. East Valley, 7 p.m.

St. Maries vs. Orofino, 7 p.m.

Mead vs. University, 7 p.m.

Lewis and Clark vs. G-Prep, 7 p.m.

Priest River vs. Kellogg, 7 p.m.

Deer Park vs. Colville, 7 p.m.

Lakeside (WA) vs. Freeman, 7 p.m.

Medical Lake vs. Riverside, 7 p.m.

Moscow vs. Lakeland, 7 p.m.

Newport vs. Chewelah, 7 p.m.

North Central vs. Shadle Park, 7:30 p.m.

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North Star teams playing catch up in new league bunch of kids who are didn’t know until the young but very willing to second week of practice step up and learn. If we whether the Wampus Cats have a few of them do that, would have enough to field we will have a very a team. He’s scraped Predicted successful season.” enough bodies together for finish order Kootenai brings back six a team.

1. Deary starters. Leading the The teams with the best 2. Kendrick Warriors are the Whipple chance of finishing in the 3. Lewis Co. brothers – Hunter, a junior middle of the pack are 4. Lakeside QB/linebacker, and Jesse, a Lakeside and Kootenai.

5. Timberline senior running Lakeside returns five 6. Kootenai back/defensive end. starters.

7. Clark Fork “The turnout is good,” “We are a young team,” Kootenai coach Doug Lakeside coach Chris Napierala said. “It helps only Dohrman said. “We should be competitive in league. We have a great graduating one senior. Things have

WHITE STAR

By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168

The old North Star League football teams won’t be a match for the old Whitepine League teams in the second year of the combination league.

Deary and Kendrick rode roughshod in the first year of the White Star League, and that should happen again this fall.

Mullan had to drop out this year because the ever-shrinking school had only five players willing to play.

And Clark Fork coach Brian Arthun

been going pretty good.”

Still, Napierala said Kootenai, which went 1-7 last year, has much work to do.

“It’s going to be another growing year still,” Napierala said. “We have to improve our technique. A lot of improvement is still to be made. We don’t have the greatest team speed, but they’re energetic and working hard.

We’ll have a better season than last year.”

Clark Fork returns five starters, led by senior quarterback Wade Stevens.

“We should have good size on the line,” Arthun said. “We also have a pretty good stable of receivers. I see us being around the middle of the pack.”

KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com

Quarterback Ryan Starr and the Timberlake Tigers are a confident group, having won six consecutive IML championships.

TIGERS AND THE REST IML still chasing Timberlake, but league gaining ground Kellogg returns three offensive linemen and four key skill players. “We will be dealing with inexperience on the defensive front,” Kimberling said.

INTERMOUNTAIN

By Greg Lee gregl@spoksman.com, (509) 844-8168

Revolving door

I

f anyone is synonymous with Intermountain League football championships it’s Timberlake coach Roy Albertson.

Entering his 13th season after “retiring” from a similar position at Chewelah, Albertson has directed Timberlake to 10 league titles, including the last six, and 12 straight trips to the playoffs.

The Tigers, who are 82-43 under Albertson, have made the state playoffs each year.

There’s no reason to think Predicted Timberlake’s league finish order dominance and playoff string 1. Timberlake will end this season. But 2. Kellogg there could be challenges.

3. Bonners Ferry Timberlake has a small 4. Priest River senior class backed up by 15 yet-to-be proven juniors.

“Depth is an issue,” Albertson said. “We have 15 kids who will be on varsity.”

As many as eight will be two-way starters.

Timberlake returns eight starters – six seniors and two juniors. The Tigers are led by senior quarterback Ryan Starr, who broke a handful of records last year.

1A DIVISION I

Wallace’s new leadership

By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168

Jared Young is just the third coach in four decades at Wallace.

He follows in the big steps of Dave Rounds, who followed in the big shadow of Norm Walker.

Rounds retired last spring, opening the door for Young.

He inherits a team that returns three starters on both sides of the ball.

“We will be a young team with a new offensive line,” Young said.

“All three starters from last season are being replaced.”

KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com

Record-setting quarterback Starr directs Timberlake’s Wing T offense.

Starr and a stable of six running backs used in Timberlake’s Wing T offense will give the Tigers balance.

“With our runners, we’ve got some size and speed,” Albertson said.

Back for second go around Kellogg earned the league’s second playoff berth last year.

The Wildcats should qualify again if not challenge Timberlake.

They’ll do so with the return of Tim Kimberling as head coach.

Kimberling coached Kellogg seven years in his first stint. “I like our overall competitiveness,” Kimberling said. “We have a good number of leaders.”

For the second year, Wallace, a 1A Division I team, is playing an independent schedule. The Miners will have a play-in game to get into a game to decide a playoff berth.

Confusing? Such is the life of an independent school.

Junior quarterback Justin Bayer, a two-year starter, is back. Senior halfback Mitch Millard, first team all-league last year, also returns.

“We will be a good mix of upper class leadership and juniors to help lead a new-look offense that mimics the 11-man game,” Young said. “I expect good things from the new offense and great ability to mix things up on offense.

Defensively, the team is picking things up fast. After a great defensive summer camp at Whitworth, they are expected to be tough against the run and look to be much improved in the secondary.”

That coaching revolving door at Bonners Ferry turned again, and Cory Kramer is the Badgers’ new coach. He takes over with 10 returning starters off a team that went 1-7. “We have a good mix of speed and power on both sides of the ball,” Kramer said. “We are a young team but have a lot of varsity experience with most of the juniors being starters last year as sophomores. We have almost doubled our numbers from last year, so that is a huge victory already.”

Kramer is optimistic the Badgers can have a breakout year.

“We have a shot at having a great season,” he said. “We have depth at all positions and have really implemented a positive winning atmosphere. It has paid off in practices already. The sky’s the limit.”

Rebuilding at Priest River Spartans coach Shane Douglas begins his fourth season knowing his young team has a large learning curve to overcome. But Douglas, never to shy away from a challenge, is hopeful.

“They know they have a great challenge in front of them,” Douglas said. “They’re having to learn our system quickly.”

Priest River found out exactly where it stood in a nonleague opener at Bonners Ferry. “I told our boys there is no reason to lower expectations,” Douglas said. “We have some hurdles to overcome but we are capable of winning.”

first round. For St. Maries, the goal is to be one of the top two teams.

Predicted “This year our finish order biggest strength 1. Grangeville is our team-first 2. St. Maries mentality,” Tefft

By Greg Lee 3. Orofino gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168 said. “This group of kids is all about team first. They just want to Craig Tefft enters his sixth season win.” at St. Maries more excited than he’s There’s work to be done. The ever been.

The excitement is palatable through Lumberjacks return eight starters but must fill some holes in the offensive town, too. and defensive lines. With a turnout of The Lumberjacks, 6-4 a year ago, won their first state playoff game since 50, it’s a matter of deciding which five linemen on offense work together 1987 last year, advancing to the State best, Tefft said.

2A quarterfinals.

“This group of kids and coaches All three Central Idaho League know that we have a great opportunity teams – St. Maries, Grangeville and Orofino – automatically qualify for the to be very successful this season if we are able to make good choices on and playoffs for a third straight year with off the field,” Tefft said. the top two earning home games the

CENTRAL IDAHO LEAGUE

St. Maries full of ambition

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

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JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com

Austin Lee, left, and Colson Yankoff will double up at the quarterback position for the Coeur d'Alene Vikings.

TWO-HEADED MONSTER CdA has talent at quarterback, so why not share duties?

of rebuilding years,” Troxel said. “It may not happen Week 1but we have a chance to get better as we go.”

Other expected two-way contributors: TE/LB/DL Nathan Colvin, TE/DE David Goggin, FB/LB Dakota Kielblock, OT/DL Ryan Hineman. Austin McMaster (WR, H-back and punt returner) and Kobe Murphree (punter, kicker and cornerback) will also wear multiple hats.

been offered a scholarship by Texas Tech.

“He hit the genetic lottery,” Amos said.

“Austin is going to be a college quarterback

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 659-3791 somewhere. They both can make all the throws. Cole doesn’t have the experience oeur d’Alene, Lake City, Lewiston Austin has so we’ll see how he handles varsity or Post Falls is going to win the football.”

5A Inland Empire League title Elsewhere, the Vikings may and host a state playoff game. be missing the star power of Post Falls regroups Coeur d’Alene, Lake City, recent years. For example 2014 Graduation hit Post Falls hard Lewiston or Post Falls is going to finish standout LB/RB Drew Berger is but the Trojans have returning second and make the postseason. at Boise State – but there’s no first-team All-IEL defenders in Predicted JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com shortage of what Amos called And Coeur d’Alene, Lake City, MLB Gunner Sciortino and finish order Yankoff, center, and Lee, right, Lewiston or Post Falls is going to take “a lot of good high school DB/WR Zach Hillman.

1. Coeur d’Alene will also see time at receiver. third and have a shot at an at-large players.” The coach listed nine The Trojans, like Lake City, are 2. Lake City berth. In other words, each program names, including seniors KC moving a wide receiver to 3. Lewiston can make a convincing case in what Hutchings and Cayden Bonacci, quarterback. Nathan Gregory expectations.

4. Post Falls could be a wide open IEL race. takes over from Dalton “What we say is work like state champions at wide receiver.

“The league is very balanced,” Lake None of the top six defensive Thompson. and see what happens,” Amos said. “You’d City coach Van Troxel said. “I give a linemen, a unit led by Alex Projected starters include CB think we were coming off a 2-8 season the slight edge to Coeur d’Alene. It’ll be way our coaches and players want to get back Marshall and Dan Pierce, are expected to play Kamden Johnson, RB Austin Jensen, who stays healthy? And, who can keep out and try to reach the highest level.” on the offensive front. Senior Henry Gustin RB/WR/LB Kaden Nelson, DE Brad Noesen, progressing?” anchors the offensive line.

OL/DL DJ Luby, OL/DL Dylan Haag, DB Every school would be thrilled with a Coeur d’Alene, state champs in 2010, returning all-league quarterback who has “This is one of our deepest teams, looking at Preston Bourgard, TE/DT Kameron Welker 2011 and 2013, is eyeing a return. piloted a state championship team. Austin Lee every position,” said Amos, who has lined up a and WR/LB Hunter Harmon, who was injured Defending league champion Lake City came on in the 2013 semifinals when Amos’ rugged schedule that includes Central Valley, last season. suffered key losses but hopes to make a son Gunnar was injured. The 6-foot-1, Ferris, Idaho state champ Highland and “In some places we have nice parts and in run. Post Falls earned its first playoff Oregon state champ Hermiston. some places we are rebuilding,” coach Jeff 185-pound Lee, now a senior, put up solid trip since joining 5A in 2004 and Hinz said. Hinz wants his team in top form for numbers last season but he’s facing stout appears capable of repeating the feat. “the Big Three” – October dates with Lake competition from sophomore Colson Yankoff.

Lake City rebuilds Lewiston is loaded with experienced City, Lewiston and CdA that will determine if “We’ll probably end up playing both of Lake City graduated 10 first-team All-IEL players.

Post Falls returns to the playoffs. them. Game 1Austin will be our starter, but selections – not counting MVP Jerry “Last year was a good example of what we’re going to do is play both at inside Louie-McGee and co-offensive MVP Michael how close this league is,” Vikings coach receiver, and they’re good receivers, too,” Goggin – but the cupboard isn’t empty.

Lewiston loaded with vets Shawn Amos said. “We lost two games Amos said.

“Everybody we play is so damn happy Lewiston boasts 18 returning starters and by four points and six inches or so.”

“You really need to be able to play two (Louie-McGee) graduated,” Troxel said.

40 lettermen. Many of the same players that guys and the older guy needs to be an Collin Hunter moves from receiver to QB, took their lumps during last year’s 1-8 unselfish player or else it wouldn’t work. Austin safety/H-back Scott Helsper will see time on campaign are looking to dish out some bruises Vikings’ expectations high has really shown his leadership and offense and defense and All-IEL left tackle this season.

Most schools would be thrilled with a 7-4 unselfishness.”

Kyle Swenson shifts to center. He will also line Junior quarterback Colton Richardson, 6-4 season and one playoff win, but Coeur Yankoff, 6-4 and 190 pounds, has already up on the defensive front. “It’s kind of like a lot and 225 pounds, directs the offense. d’Alene’s run of success has created lofty

INLAND EMPIRE 5A

C

Sandpoint heavy favorite for playoffs earning All-IEL honors as a safety last season. put in a lot of time and effort, but we still have to line up and mesh together. Norris had been a quarterback throughout his career before moving to defense last season.

That doesn’t just happen.”

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 659-3791 “He competed for that quarterback spot The foundation is in place for until the 11th game so he got a lot of reps last prolonged success. year,” Puailoa said. “I think he’s going to be a “This is our first four-year group,” Satini Puailoa returned for his great addition.” second stint as Sandpoint’s head coach said Puailoa, who guided The defense brings back Paul in 2012 and the season opener offered a Sandpoint to the 1997 state Sundquist, Sam Johnson, Mike title. “Out of 30 seniors, 28 memorable, telling moment.

Plaster, Jackson Dierks, Ravyn have been here four years.

The Bulldogs punted against East Smith, Kaleb Merrill, Colt Engle, Right behind them are 26 Valley and the Knights started Caiden Oliver and Devin Lacrois. juniors that have been hollering “Peter,” so their players Predicted The Bulldogs are changing from together three years. It’s a would steer clear of the bouncing finish order a 4-2-5 to a 4-3 alignment. comprehensive program. If football.

1. Sandpoint “That’s the thing we have to “And our guys run off the field, they you’re doing what you’re 2. Moscow get better at in a hurry,” Puailoa picked the ball up and scored,” Puailoa supposed to be doing, you 3. Lakeland said of the defense. “We have said. “It was like, ‘OK, that’s where you should have between 20-30 the guys.” seniors every year at a start.’ ” school our size.

Three seasons have come and gone “When we got here, all three teams and Sandpoint has made considerable Lakeland starts over (varsity, JV and freshmen) had losing progress. The Bulldogs have posted There will be no confusing the Lakeland records, 1-8, 1-8, 2-7. Now all three several breakthrough wins and Hawks with the 2014 version. A whopping 23 returned to the 4A state playoffs. Their teams expect to win.” seniors who filled all 22 starting positions roster numbers are strong, as are their departed from a league championship squad. weight-room numbers.

The Hawks are moving forward with just Sandpoint has the numbers Sandpoint appears to have the two seniors (neither has played football since Sandpoint has a number of proven pieces in place for a special season. The playmakers, led by All-State running back they were freshmen) and essentially a new Bulldogs are heavy favorites in the 4A two-deep.

Kyle Perry, a 210-pounder who has timed 11.3 Inland Empire League over defending seconds for 100 meters, All-IEL receiver “There’s young, and there’s what we are,” champion Lakeland and Moscow.

Kiefer said. “We’re probably looking at Wyatt McCormick and wide receiver Jake “Sandpoint honestly has a shot at starting 12 sophomores. It’s been a strange Timothy. Perry has a scholarship offer from camp. For the kids, when you go from JV winning state,” Lakeland coach Tim Idaho. players stepping up to the varsity field, all the Kiefer said.

Senior Carlos Collado, the IEL’s 2014 kids are looking around for who is going to Puailoa hit the pause button. lineman of the year, leads strong offensive lead this thing and basically looking back at “We’re moving in the right and defensive lines. themselves. direction,” he said. “These kids have Davin Norris steps in at quarterback after

INLAND EMPIRE 4A

“The kids we have are doing a great job, but there’s going to be some growing pains and fast learning going on.”

Junior Jared Walker, who spent last season as Lewiston’s JV quarterback, has returned to Lakeland and will start at quarterback. Ryan Pote can play running back or slot receiver and Kaden Davis is another promising receiver.

“We’re not running the same stuff,” Kiefer said. “We’re spreading it out and throwing the ball. Our roots were always in the Wing T.” Linebackers Jared McDaniel and Owen Dickens and safety Dylan Vahey are names to watch defensively.

“We’re young,” Kiefer said, “but we have some talent.”

Moscow hopes to improve The Bears were 2-7 last year and absorbed six losses by three touchdowns or more.

Many of those same players are a year older and ready to move up the standings.

Quarterback Devin Carscallen will start for the second consecutive season. WR/DB Collin Niehenke and RB/DB Chad Robertson are third-year players. Additional experience returns in LB/RB Eric Redinger, OL/DL Austin Durham, OL/DL Wyatt Youngblood and OL/DL Pat Coulter.

“We have returning seniors or juniors at every position,” coach Phil Helbling said. “The biggest thing is our depth. Once we get outside 15-16 guys, we get pretty thin at certain positions.”

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

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www.NWPrepsNow.com but we were able to get in the weight room this summer. We are going to be one of the top teams on this side of the state as long as we stay healthy.�

Finley plans to start Spirit White at quarterback and Tyson Shanholtzer at tailback. “Spirit and Tyson will carry most of the

By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5495 load for us,� he said. “They will be two good senior leaders for us.�

After Curlew did not field a team, Republic rumbled through the Northeast 1B North league last year and Columbia was added to the league. lost in the state semifinals. But the 2015 “They always play us tough,� Finley version of the Tigers could be more said of Columbia. “They are always a dangerous. quality opponent.�

Coach Chris Burch must replace twins Republic’s Burch said Inchelium has Alex and Angelo Rivera a number of young athletes.

(Carroll College), but he “They are probably a year returns 12 seniors, added out from being toward the two transfers and he likes top of the league again,� what he sees on the smoky said Burch, an Inchelium practice field. alum. “But, I think they will Predicted “I like our team better this be competitive. I see them finish order year than I did last year,� he as a third- or second-place 1. Republic said. “I think we will make contender.�

2. Cusick another run into the state Selkirk coach Kelly Cain 3. Inchelium playoffs and hopefully get to has 15 returning juniors and 4. Selkirk the big game this year.� seniors, which will be a 5. Northport Republic has been aided luxury for league play.

6. Columbia by the addition of transfers However, Cain said his team lineman Justin Riggs, weakness appears to be a lack of speed. from Shelby, Montana, and receiver Adrian McCarthy from Tonasket.

Northport, which didn’t know until “I don’t know what kind of coaching late in the summer if it would field a team, (Riggs) was getting in Montana, but he has been revitalized by new coach Kevin already plays at a senior level. He’s an Dionas, Burch said. all-league type player already� as a “They got a new coach and a pretty sophomore, Burch said. McCarthy “is fast good turnout,� Burch said. and athletic. How many times do you get Dionas, who completed the school’s a kid like that? Especially in 8-man.� first summer program in several years, Republic will get a test from Cusick, has seven returning starters.

One of his players was the equipment which took the Tigers to the final minute manager last year who wanted to give in a regular-season loss. Republic later football a shot. Her name is Jesse thrashed Cusick in the playoffs. “When we play Cusick, it’s become a Ransom. “She followed through and pretty big rivalry game the last three had an excellent summer with the years,� Burch said. “It always turns into a football team,� Dionas said. “She is one of good game whether one team has an the toughest and hardest working edge or not.� players. She is expected to compete this Cusick coach Sonny Finley agrees, but year at wide receiver and defensive said his team faces several challenges back.� after having to practice mostly in the The mix of returning players makes school’s gym because of poor air quality. Dionas believe Northport has a shot. “We are looking pretty good. I’m really “The Northport Mustangs are tough, excited about this season,� Finley said. confident and looking to be very “We lost a lot of quality players last year, competitive this year,� he said.

NE 1B

North

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“They didn’t win any games and last year was their first year� Nelson said of Yakama Tribal. “There is going to be some growing pains.�

Wellpinit coach Clark Pauls said his practices have been interrupted by fire evacuations from the Carpenter Road fire and horrible air conditions.

By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5495 “We didn’t have as many kids turn out as I thought,� Pauls said. “Typically, we’d spread the field and score as many points A year after running the table in the as we could. But now we are going to Northeast 1B South league, the focus more on our defense and control Odessa-Harrington Titans are the ball and play mistake-free football.� looking to make another run at the state Pauls agrees with Nelson that playoffs.

First year head coach Jeff Nelson said Odessa-Harrington is a good pick to he thinks he may have the horses among repeat as league champion. “I think the 21 players on his Odessa-Harrington is roster. hands above the rest of “Like every 8-man our division. Then it could school, it depends on how be anybody after that,� he healthy we stay,� Nelson said. “Almira/Couleesaid. “If we get key Predicted injuries, we’re in trouble.�

Hartline and Entiat finish order Following an injury, the both return their 1. Odessa-Harrington Titans last year turned to quarterbacks, who are 2. Entiat freshman Colton Hunt really great athletes.�

3. ACH Nelson said he expects for the last half of the 4. Wellpinit Entiat to play well. season at quarterback.

5. Pateros “I know their numbers This year as a sophomore, 6. Yakama Tribal are way down, but they Hunt has added about 25 do have some good pounds of muscle. “It’s been an amazing transformation,� returning starters,� Nelson said. “ACH will be good. Between ACH, Pateros and Nelson said. “He throws the ball well.�

The Titans also return running Entiat it will be a tossup. Those teams on back/linebacker Sage Elder. “He’s any given night can beat anybody.�

The region’s wildfires have at times fearless on both sides of the ball. He threatened Pateros, Entiat and absolutely can hit, that’s with the ball in his hands and without,� Nelson said. “He’ll Wellpinit. As a result of the smoke and be one of the top athletes on the field.� unhealthy air conditions, Pauls said Nelson said he’s moved several league officials have talked about turning players, including Dylan Shockley and home games into away games to make sure they get played.

John DeWulf to increase team speed. “You don’t want to lose your home “We are putting our best eight athletes games. But to get the games in, that’s on the field,� he said. “We’d rather what you have to do to keep the kids downsize and go with the fastest kids.� safe,� he said. “As long as both schools After Columbia moved to the are understanding, you just have to roll Northeast 1B North, the league added with the punches.�

Yakama Tribal from Toppenish.

NE 1B

South

really down. The attendance of their school is just plummeting.�

Woltering said Dayton will be competive. However, he said the school is not playoff eligible because its

By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5495 attendance numbers are too high for 1B. “They will be considered a non-league game,� he said.

When Liberty Colton coach Clark Christian loses a class of Vining said he returns seniors, other coaches senior QB Carter then have to worry about the next class to step up.

Dahmen and productive The Patriots won the WRs Brady Chadwick Southeast 1B league last and Cameron Bean.

Predicted season before losing to “We will have just two finish order Neah Bay in the title game. seniors after having just 1. Liberty Christian “They lost some, but four last season,� Vining 2. Touchet they have their core said. “We have some real 3. Garfield-Palouse athletes back,� Garfieldgood talent at the 4. Pomeroy younger levels.�

Palouse coach Willy 5. Colton Woltering said his Woltering said of Liberty 6. Sunnyside Chr. team’s offense will Christian. “They will be 7. St. John-Endicott depend on the maturation awfully hard to beat.� of two new offensive Touchet finished guards. Sophomore Travis Knauff second in the league last year, followed

by Woltering’s Vikings. moved to the line from running back and “Touchet lost some good kids to Eli Hawkins will play at the other guard graduation, but they have a lot of position as a freshman. numbers. They will probably reload,� “So far, they are doing really good,�

Woltering said. “I foresee Colton and Woltering said. “But they are going to Pomeroy improving. They will be good, have to step up.� He doesn’t know what to expect from St. John-Endicott. too. We will be in there somewhere.�

LaCrosse- Washtucna will not field a “Their two best players last year were team this year, Woltering said. seniors,� he said. “They have good “They went from feast to famine pretty numbers. But I’m not sure how good they quickly,� he said. “Their numbers are will be.�

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www.NWPrepsNow.com

SIGNS OF THE TIMES Freeman, Colville expected to lead strong NEA pack

By Chris Derrick chrisd@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5502

A

ll of the signs pointed to Freeman last year.

The Scotties, basking in the glow from their 2013 State 1A title, opened last season on the national radar, ranked 25th by CBS MaxPreps among schools with 1,000 or fewer students.

Colville proved the precariousness of believing national prep rankings by defeating Freeman 28-7 in the game to decide the Northeast A League title.

The Indians then came within a whisker of claiming the state championship, falling to Cascade Christian 27-26 in overtime to finish 12-1.

Both teams are expected to vie for the league title again this year, but Freeman is considered the favorite because of the strength of returning senior linemen Peyton Smetana and Sebastian Hyta.

“Freeman is one of the top Predicted teams in the finish order state,” Lakeside 1. Freeman coach Brian 2. Colville Dunn said. “We 3. Deer Park are all playing 4. Lakeside for second. The 5. Medical Lake rest of us should 6. Riverside be real 7. Newport competitive.”

8. Chewelah Hyta, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, was named first-team all-league on both sides of the ball. Smetana (6-5, 275) was a first-teamer on the offensive line.

“Three of five offensive linemen are returning,” Freeman coach Jim Wood said. “We’re more well-rounded top to bottom with a great attitude and work ethic.”

The Scotties, 8-2 last year, also return senior Jack Paukert (5-10, 180), a first-team wide receiver and defensive back.

Colville, which dominated the all-league list last season, is calling upon senior first-team, all-league linebacker Jack Hinds (5-11, 185) to also play quarterback.

The Indians should receive a boost from lineman Tele Seemann (6-1, 200), a transfer from Polson, Montana, who also wrestles and competes in rodeo.

“We’ll play hard,” Colville coach Randy Cornwell said. “With early season experience, we’ll grow up fast and jell during league play.”

Lakeside Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) features the league’s top quarterback in senior Cameron Gay (6-4, 165), a two-year starter who has thrown for more than 4,200 yards.

The Eagles, 8-3 last season, bring back defensive experience with first-team, all-league lineman Tim Jarrad, a 6-foot, 225-pound junior; senior Chase Kuhnert (5-10, 170), a second-team defensive back; and junior Garrett Brown (5-9, 180), a second-team linebacker.

“We will have to stay healthy to compete,” Dunn said. “Our top running backs and wide receivers all graduated.

Young kids have to step up.”

Deer Park Deer Park, which placed fourth in league last year, returns 14 starters and is considered the team most likely to trip up Freeman and Colville.

“We feel as though we have the depth and athleticism to compete every week this year,” Stags coach Keith

GSL 4A

COLIN MULVANY colinm@spokesman.com

Lakeside quarterback Cameron Gay is a 6-4, 165-pound, two-time all league player.

Stamps said. “(We have a) high number of returning starters on defense and better speed on offense than we have had.”

Senior Neil Lockwood was a second-team, all-league selection at running back and linebacker last year.

Lake sporting events, witnessing football and basketball playoff games.

Wagner, whose mother is a teacher, is also an all-league pitcher and starting point guard for the Cardinals.

Newport

Newport’s projected offensive starters include four sophomores, three Medical Lake juniors and a freshman.

Cory Wagner is a Cardinal through “We’re still a year behind everyone and through. else as far as age is concerned,” Medical Lake’s third-year senior quarterback grew up attending Medical Grizzlies coach Zac Farnam said.

“Instead of a team full of freshmen and sophomores, we are now a team full of sophomores and juniors.”

Riverside First-year Riverside coach Buddy Wood has a tall order to fill after the Rams graduated most of their skilled positions. Luckily, Riverside returns its entire offensive and defensive lines.

When the offense stalls, the Rams return second-team, all-league punter John Coppock (6-0, 215), a junior.

Sonnichsen steps in at Mead

Continued from T15 running back Bryce Williamson.

“I think we’ve got a chance,” U-Hi coach Rob Bartlett said. “We’ve got size up front and we’re faster than we’ve ever been by far.”

The seniors were freshmen when Bartlett took over.

This will likely be Bartlett’s last season. He has accepted a job as vice principal, which he won’t step into until after the season. The school district has a rule that no administrator can be a head coach.

“If it’s my last group to go out with, I’m just going to enjoy the season,” Bartlett said. “I thought about it long JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com and hard. At the end of the day, it’s (vice Central Valley’s Scott Peck, right, has committed to the Utah Utes. principal) something I wanted to do.”

Perhaps the team with the most question marks is Mead, which welcomes new coach Benji Sonnichsen.

Sonnichsen is replacing Mead’s run-oriented offense with a spread attack. Defensively, the Panthers were one of the top teams in the league in recent seasons.

“With a late start in July, we’ll be working on finding our strengths through the early part of the season,” Sonnichsen said.

Young Saxons will be tested Ferris returns the fewest starters (three), and will have to rely heavily on juniors and sophomores. “We will need to use an excellent nonleague schedule to prepare for an improved GSL,” Ferris coach Jim Sharkey said.

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Area colleges

football throws at a player. Things like a head coaching change, four different position coaches and one injury-filled season.

IDAHO STORY LINES

Linehan the man, but Luton ready

By Sean Kramer Correspondent

There’s really no question as to what Matt Linehan’s low point of his redshirt freshman season was.

He threw three interceptions and fumbled twice in a home contest versus Arkansas State.

Coach Paul Petrino benched him the next week at San Diego State.

Linehan threw 18 picks in 378 attempts last season. The only two opponents he didn’t throw an interception against were New Mexico State, a game Linehan had to leave early because of a concussion, and the aforementioned San Diego State game he didn’t start.

Linehan faced only stiff competition from backup Chad Chalich, who is now at Montana.

Redshirt freshman Jake Luton is a more serious threat to Linehan’s perch atop the depth chart.

It’ll be a fair question to wonder just how many mistakes Linehan will be allowed before Luton is given an opportunity.

Linehan is a talented player who showed an ability to sling the ball all over the field when he was on, so the hope is simply more consistency out of him.

Petrino has said two quarterbacks are needed in this day and age, eluding to the likelihood of injuries, so Luton will be prepared to play if needed.

Handling distractions It’s not usually a good thing for a college coach or program to end up on popular sports website Deadspin. It’s even worse to end up there twice in one week, as Idaho did less than two weeks before its season opener against Ohio.

Petrino was first given the national spotlight stemming from an Aug. 19 confrontation with local reporters in which other coaches had to step in front of him.

About a week later, it was reported that three players had shoplifted from the campus bookstore and didn’t have charges pressed against them because Petrino brought back the merchandise and said discipline would be handled internally.

These aren’t the kind of distractions a program looking to win more than one game for the first time since 2011 needs prior to a massive home opener.

It will be difficult for Petrino to distance himself from these incidents if the Vandals can’t get off to a good start with three of their first four contests within the Kibbie Dome.

Wasn’t that good Dallas Sandberg has spent his senior year at Idaho by regularly waking up at 3:59 a.m. on days of workouts. Sandberg sends a text to his offensive line coach, Kris Cinkovich, and starts to rally the offensive line troops. Sandberg would already have his position teammates rounded up and ready to go for scheduled workouts by the time Cinkovich arrived.

It’s that kind of initiative Cinkovich raves about when citing Dallas Sandberg’s progression as a player and leader since Paul Petrino and his line coach arrived in Moscow BECKY PAUL University of Idaho in December of 2012. At first, they Senior Dallas Sandberg will start for the fourth straight season on Idaho’s line. weren’t sure what kind of player they were getting.

“He wasn’t that good of a player,” Prescott, Ariz. It was January 2010, Cinkovich said. “He played really and his basketball coach came into Continued from T7 his class to tell Sandberg he needed to high, he didn’t play as tough as we thought he needed to be or as see him after class. years on campus, when Corey aggressive as we thought he needed “I went to my head coach’s Sandberg had the best seat in house to be.” classroom and as his teammate.

Dallas he said ‘Hey, Follow Vandals correspondent Sandberg you need to call The unexpected walk-on Sean Kramer on Twitter for news started to Corey Sandberg had never played a your dad.’ So I updates @SKramerWrites struggle as kind of knew game of organized football, but that players something was wasn’t a deterrent to deciding to recruited by walk-on to the Idaho football team in up,” Dallas said.

Akey started to fall by the wayside.

Corey Sandberg was shot and 2011.

Even Corey decided to step away and The elder Sandberg was coming off seriously wounded during an attack focus on academics instead, all while of a nearly six-year stint in the United on his squad’s helicopter in holding some resentment toward Afghanistan.

States Army. But he had already Petrino at the time for relegating his “It was a pretty hard hit, I wasn’t made up his mind before Sandberg brother from a sure starter to having expecting it,” Dallas Sandberg said. even committed to the University of to compete for his job.

The brothers were re-united Idaho in 2009 that he was going to Resentment soon turned into nearly a month later. Corey Sandberg walk-on with Dallas wherever he began a six-month stay at the Walter encouragement and an embracing of decided to commit to play. the challenge laid before both Reed Medical Center in Maryland Corey Sandberg accompanied his Sandberg brothers. Eventually, Dallas before being able to return to his brother on his official visit to earned back his starting spot and family in Prescott.

Moscow, where began to flourish under the new Corey Sandberg was then-coach Robb Akey awarded the Purple Heart coaching staff. Corey became one of assured him he’d be given the program’s biggest fans. and in the fall of 2011, at an opportunity.

“I had to support Dallas and the age of 24, became a “We were with Akey in encourage him through it. I kind of student-athlete at Idaho. the car and he said, ‘Dallas Predicted changed my tone from being bitter The two played key said you might be able to finish order toward Petrino to encouraging Dallas roles in defining for each play football,’ I said, I’m 1. Georgia So. to work through the adversity of other what their college going to play if you give 2. Arkansas St. anticipating the coaches’ experiences would mean me a chance,” Corey 3. Lafayette expectations for him,” Corey said. for them.

Sandberg said. “He 4. App. State “Dallas stayed through and now he’s Joining the Idaho laughed the Akey laugh 5. So. Alabama extremely glad he did because it’s football program greatly (and said) ‘If you show me 6. Texas St. made him a stronger man, fighting helped Corey Sandberg’s what you got, we’ll see if 7. La.-Monroe through that adversity.” transition into civilian life we can find a spot for 8. Troy Dallas Sandberg is currently in the and eventually into a you.’”

9. Georgia St. process of completing his third college graduate with a “He gave me a shot and 10. Idaho bachelor’s degree at Idaho and has degree in business. that’s all I needed.”

11. New Mex. St. plans to pursue the NFL after his “He’s got a lot of Corey and Dallas senior season. If not, he may go the (post-traumatic stress Sandberg both joined the disorder) issues, he’s seen a lot of bad master’s degree route with degrees in Idaho football team in 2011. Dallas psychology and sociology already in crap over there and it helped him enrolled in the spring after hand. adjust to normal life,” Dallas said. grayshirting during the 2010 season.

And if Dallas ever needs a “The brotherhood here is the same Corey Sandberg joined in the fall, reminder about who helped him brotherhood he had in the military, over a year after a life-altering event that would define the relationship he so he left that brotherhood and came reach his senior year at Idaho, he only needs to look halfway up section had with his younger brother and the to our brotherhood.”

18.

Corey did appear in one game on Idaho football program.

“I talk to him every day and he still special teams, but opted out to focus is pushing me to be my best,” Dallas on academics. But he continued to Vivid memories help Dallas overcome the adversities said. “That’s the relationship we’ve Dallas Sandberg was a senior at always had.” that a five-year stint in college Bradshaw Mountain High School in

VANDALS

Ian Kolste returns from a shoulder injury to compete for the job at quarterback.

Welcome to Moscow Ranking last in the country in yards per pass attempt isn’t a formula for winning games. So Petrino is hoping the addition of Mike Breske as defensive coordinator and safeties coach is the winning formula.

Breske, who joined Idaho after being fired at Washington State, will implement his 3-4 system with the hope that additional pass-rushing pressure relieves a still thin secondary unit.

An experienced and talented front seven is being led by Quinton Bradley, who has positively adjusted to his new position as a 3-4 defensive end under Breske. True freshman Kaden Elliss has taken the linebacker unit by storm and Russell Siavii has emerged as a ball-hawking safety.

The defense can’t be expected to make huge strides, but even modest strides and containment of big plays will help Idaho be more competitive in conference contests.

Can the O-Line protect?

Matt Linehan was sacked 39 times last season. He has the ability to be mobile, but he’s at his deadliest when he’s able to deliver the ball from the pocket.

Senior Dallas Sandberg and junior Steven Matlock are the key cogs in the middle of an offensive line that’s well aware of what their reputation has been.

“We’re the answer, not the question anymore,” Matlock said.

“That’s what we believe in, that’s what we’re striving for and we’re going to make a change – bottom line.”

WHITWORTH Continued from T11

Fullman, and sophomore Garrett McKay, who earned time as a starter last year before an injury shut him down.

Stanfield also said the team should get a boost from sophomore transfer Grant Faylor, who came from Menlo College in California.

For now, coaches have moved former Gonzaga Prep quarterback Kevin Thomas to receiver.

“Kevin is a great athlete. He’s 6-4 and can run,” Stanfield said. “When you lose Connor Williams, who is going to be that (tall receiver) outside? We are excited that (Thomas) could be that answer.”

EAGLES

Continued from T9 bought in wholeheartedly.

“It’s a lot of fun to play,” said senior Todd Raynes, who was moved from safety to the new roverback position coser to the line of scrimmage.

“It feels like we’re running downhill more,” said safety Zach Bruce.

On the plus side, the scheme puts more speed on the field, allows defensive backs to play more aggressively and offers more chances to disrupt the quarterback’s timing.

On the debit side, the defense is

should get looks, as well.

Returning defense The Pirates return eight starters to what was a young defense in 2014.

Leading the group is senior defensive end Danny Welstad (6-4, 240), who had eight sacks last year.

The team also returns JT Phelan (East Valley), who played linebacker for the first time and led the team with 64 tackles as a freshman last year. The team also welcomes back junior linebacker Dalin McDonnell, who had 44 tackles last year, and fellow starters Luke Peterson and Alex Myrick.

TYLER TJOMSLAND tylert@spokesman.com Defensive coordinator Adam Richbart also returns defensive ends Daniel Portillo (41 tackles) and Aaron Powe.

Duke of dash The defensive secondary also Whitworth returns leading rusher Duke DeGaetano, (137 rushes for 652 returns several players from injury yards) who rolled an ankle in one of and successful freshman campaigns.

The team had lost both the team’s first practices. Coaches cornerbacks De’ Hall and Jerrell expect he will return before the Norman to injury. They return along Sept. 12 home opener against with Taylor Roelofs (41 tackles, two Whittier. interceptions). But fellow With the pass-first offense, the running backs also become weapons replacement starter Jacob Sturtevant (54 tackles, two in the aerial attack. In addition to interceptions) decided to focus on his runs, DeGaetano caught 35 track. passes for 246 yards last season.

Kelvin Mackey returns at one The team also returns junior strong safety, while Clayton Farr, Griffin Hare (Gonzaga Prep), who Jake Geldbach, Caleb Mathena, Ben only played in four games after Stockdale and Matt Wetzel should suffering an ankle injury.

Sophomores Casey Bond and Matt compete for the open free safety Langbehn, and junior Kyle Brownell, position.

more susceptible to short passes behind the linebackers and puts less beef behind the defensive line.

The players certainly aren’t staying put. Unlike the 4-3 Cover 2 scheme, the nickel emphasizes pressure on the quarterback. With five defensive backs, the pressure can come from more directions.

Another tough schedule The Eagles never shrink from a challenge, but this year’s schedule looks more daunting than most.

On paper, the opener at FBS powerhouse Oregon appears to be one of the toughest games in school history. A week later, the Eagles fly

to Northern Iowa, which last year defeated FCS finalists North Dakota State and Illinois State at the raucous16,324-seat UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. A week after that, Eastern hosts Big Sky co-favorite Montana State in a game that doesn’t count in the conference standings, but could have big implications in the race for the postseason.

Other big challenges include an Oct. 10 home game against Cal Poly’s triple-option offense; a trip the following week to Idaho State, which is loaded at almost every position except quarterback; and a Nov. 14 visit to Montana. .

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

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Seattle Seahawks

Associated Press

Newcomer Jimmy Graham understands he won’t be getting as many balls as he did in New Orleans, but the ones he gets from Russell Wilson will be important.

CLOSING THE GAP

Seahawks still the obvious choice, but Cardinals, Rams closing in Still on top

By Tim Booth

For a change, most of the talk is about the potential in Seattle’s offense. f the Seattle Seahawks become the The addition of Graham gives the first team to win three straight NFC Seahawks a target they’ve never had for titles, they’ll likely do so as Wilson. Graham understands he won’t champions of their division yet be getting as many receptions as he did again. in New Orleans, but the ones he gets But the reigning conference champs from Wilson will be important. see a challenge waiting in the NFC How will Graham’s addition help West.

Seattle’s wide receivers and even “When I first got here Arizona Lynch in the running game in trying to wasn’t so good, but now they’re build on an offense that was good starting to become good. I enough to win two straight think San Francisco is still conference titles? strong and St. Louis is “I know when the ball trying to find their way,” comes there are going to be Seattle linebacker Bobby big moments. And I know Wagner said. “I still think when the ball comes I’m Predicted we have the best division in going to have to do finish order football.” something with that ball,” 1. Seahawks The Seahawks are again Graham said.

Associated Press 2. Cardinals clear favorites in their Defensively, the 3. Rams Carson Palmer returns to Cards after division, with Russell Seahawks should be just as missing last seven games of 2014.

4. 49ers Wilson, Marshawn Lynch stout, but have questions in and the addition of Jimmy the secondary with strong Graham to their offense, safety Kam Chancellor and a defense that’s still expected to be holding out and the addition of 35-year-old quarterback has looked among the best in the NFL. cornerback Cary Williams playing exceedingly sharp in training camp and Seattle’s closest rival is now likely in opposite Richard Sherman. has an array of targets, including the desert, with Carson Palmer veteran Larry returning to an Arizona roster that Fitzgerald, Desert rising made the playoffs last season with 11 second-year The Cardinals Seahawks online wins despite Palmer missing the final speedster John believe they have Check out “A Grip on Sports” seven games with a knee injury.

Brown, and rookie the talent to every morning on our blog.

St. Louis has one of the best J.J. Nelson. dethrone the Veteran writer Vince Grippi finds defensive fronts in football with Chris James Bettcher Seahawks. They Seahawks stories on the Web Long, Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn and won 10 and 11 replaces Todd and then shares them with you at Michael Brockers, but quarterback is Bowles as games in coach spokesman.com/sportslink still unsettled after giving up on Sam defensive Bruce Arians’ first Bradford and bringing in Nick Foles. coordinator, and two seasons. They And no team has faced as much both cornerback Patrick Peterson and were 9-1 when injuries, especially at change as San Francisco. Jim quarterback, helped lead to a 2-6 finish, safety Tyrann Mathieu are healthy.

Harbaugh is now coaching at There are questions at linebacker. including a wild-card playoff loss at Michigan. Frank Gore is running the “For us to reach where we want to Carolina. ball in Indianapolis. And Patrick Willis The key to the Cardinals’ fortunes is go, we can’t be potential,” Arizona and Justin Smith are retired. coach Bruce Arians said. “We have to the health of Palmer, coming off Here’s a look at the NFC West: be damn good.” surgery to repair a torn ACL. The

Arch madness

Associated Press

I

Seattle at Green Bay, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 8

Monday, Sept. 21

Indianapolis at Houston, 5:25 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis, 5:30 p.m.

Week 3

2015 SCHEDULE All times Pacific (x-subject to change)

Week 1 Thursday, Sept. 10 Pitt. at New England, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 13 Indianapolis at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Green Bay at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Kansas City at Houston, 10 a.m.

Carolina at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.

Cleveland at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

Seattle at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Miami at Washington, 10 a.m.

New Orleans at Arizona, 1:05 p.m.

Detroit at San Diego, 1:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Denver, 1:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Oakland, 1:25 p.m.

Tennessee at Tampa Bay, 1:25 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 24 Wash. at N.Y. Giants, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 27 Cincinnati at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

New Orleans at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Oakland at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Atlanta at Dallas, 10 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Houston, 10 a.m.

San Diego at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Jacksonville at New Eng., 10 a.m.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

Pittsburgh at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Indianapolis at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

San Francisco at Arizona, 1:05 p.m.

Buffalo at Miami, 1:25 p.m.

Chicago at Seattle, 1:25 p.m.

Denver at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 28 Kansas City at Green Bay, 5:30 p.m.

Week 4 (Byes: Tennessee, New England)

Monday, Sept. 14

Thursday, Oct. 1

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 4:10 p.m.

Minnesota at San Fran., 7:20 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 4

Week 2 Thursday, Sept. 17 Denver at Kansas City, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 20 New England at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Houston at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Arizona at Chicago, 10 a.m.

San Diego at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Tennessee at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Detroit at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

Atlanta at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.

San Francisco at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

St. Louis at Washington, 10 a.m.

Miami at Jacksonville, 1:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Oakland, 1:05 p.m.

Dallas at Philadelphia, 1:25 p.m.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 5:25 p.m.

NYJ vs. Miami at London, 6:30 a.m.

Houston at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Giants at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Oakland at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Kansas City at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Carolina at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

Philadelphia at Washington, 10 a.m.

Cleveland at San Diego, 1:05 p.m.

St. Louis at Arizona, 1:25 p.m.

Minnesota at Denver, 1:25 p.m.

Green Bay at San Fran., 1:25 p.m.

Dallas at New Orleans, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 5 Detroit at Seattle, 5:30 p.m.

Week 5 (Byes: Carolina, Miami, Minn., NYJ)

Sunday, Oct. 11 Washington at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

Cleveland at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Seattle at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

St. Louis at Green Bay, 10 a.m.

Chicago at Kansas City, 10 a.m.

New Orleans at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Jacksonville at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

Buffalo at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

Arizona at Detroit, 1:05 p.m.

New England at Dallas, 1:25 p.m.

Denver at Oakland, 1:25 p.m.

San Fran. at N.Y. Giants-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 12 Pittsburgh at San Diego , 5:30 p.m.

Week 6 (Byes: Dallas, Oakland, St. Louis, Tampa Bay)

Thursday, Oct. 15 Atlanta at New Orleans , 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 18 Cincinnati at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Denver at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Chicago at Detroit, 10 a.m.

Houston at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.

Kansas City at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Washington at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

Arizona at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

Miami at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

Carolina at Seattle, 1:05 p.m.

San Diego at Green Bay, 1:25 p.m.

Baltimore San Francisco, 1:25 p.m.

New England at Indy-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 19 N.Y. Giants at Philly, 5:30 p.m.

Week 7 (Byes: Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay)

Thursday, Oct. 22 Seattle at San Francisco, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 25 Buff. vs. Jack. at London, 6:30 a.m.

Minnesota at Detroit, 10 a.m.

New Orleans at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Pittsburgh at Kansas City, 10 a.m.

Houston at Miami, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Jets at New England, 10 a.m.

Cleveland at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Atlanta at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Washington, 10 a.m.

Oakland at San Diego, 1:05 p.m.

Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 1:25 p.m.

Philadelphia at Carolina-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 26 Baltimore at Arizona, 5:30 p.m.

Week 8 (Byes: Buffalo, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Washington)

Thursday, Oct. 29 Miami at New England , 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1 Detroit vs K.C. at London, 6:30 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

San Diego at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Minnesota at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Arizona at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Tennessee at Houston, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Giants at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

San Francisco at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Jets at Oakland, 1:05 p.m.

Seattle at Dallas, 1:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Denver-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 2 Indianapolis at Carolina, 5:30 p.m.

Week 9 (Byes: Arizona, Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Seattle)

Thursday, Nov. 5 Cleveland at Cincinnati, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 8 Miami at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Green Bay at Carolina, 10 a.m.

St. Louis at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Wash. at New England, 10 a.m.

Tennessee at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

Jacksonville at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

Oakland at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

Atlanta at San Francisco, 1:05 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m.

Denver at Indianapolis, 1:25 p.m.

Philadelphia at Dallas-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 9 Chicago at San Diego, 5:30 p.m.

Week 10 (Byes: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco)

Thursday, Nov. 12 Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 15 Jacksonville at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Detroit at Green Bay, 10 a.m.

Miami at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

Chicago at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Dallas at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

Carolina at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

New Orleans at Washington, 10 a.m.

Minnesota at Oakland, 1:05 p.m.

Kansas City at Denver, 1:25 p.m.

New Eng. at N.Y. Giants, 1:25 p.m.

Arizona at Seattle-x, 5:30 p.m.

Week 12 Thursday, Nov. 26 Philadelphia at Detroit, 9:30 a.m.

Carolina at Dallas, 1:30 p.m.

Chicago at Green Bay, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 23 Minnesota at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

St. Louis at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

New Orleans at Houston, 10 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

San Diego at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.

Buffalo at Kansas City, 10 a.m.

Miami at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

Oakland at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Giants at Washington, 10 a.m.

Arizona at San Francisco, 1:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Seattle, 1:25 p.m.

New England at Denver-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 24 Baltimore at New Orleans, 5:30 p.m.

Week 13 Thursday, Dec. 3

Houston at Cincinnati, 5:30 p.m.

Green Bay at Detroit, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 6 (Byes: Cleveland, New Orleans, NY Giants, Pittsburgh)

Thursday, Nov. 19 Tennessee at Jacksonville, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 22 Indianapolis at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

St. Louis at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Washington at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Denver at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Oakland at Detroit, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Jets at Houston, 10 a.m.

Dallas at Miami, 10 a.m.

Green Bay at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Cincinnati at Arizona, 1:05 p.m.

San Francisco at Seattle, 1:25 p.m.

K.C. at San Diego-x, 5:30 p.m.

Rebuilding time?

Many familiar faces that helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl are gone.

The retirements of Willis, Justin Smith and young Chris Borland, combined with off-field problems that led to the departure of Aldon Smith, leave significant holes on defense. The return of linebacker NaVorro Bowman is a huge boost and the addition of Darnell Dockett should help with depth up front.

Offensively, there are changes around quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Two skill positions to watch will be running back, where Carlos Hyde takes over for Gore, and wide receiver, where Torrey Smith arrives to replace Michael Crabtree.

They’ll all be playing for new coach Jim Tomsula.

“We still have a lot of talent, so I don’t see why this year will be any different than what we’ve expected in the past,” San Francisco wide receiver Anquan Boldin said.

(Byes: Carolina, Pittsburgh)

Monday, Nov. 16

Week 11

Could this be the year St. Louis jumps into contention in the division?

Could it be the Rams last year in St. Louis?

Those questions will hang all season.

On the field, the debate will be about the addition of Foles and if he can improve an offense that has yet to catch up with the defense under coach Jeff Fisher. Foles will get the majority of the attention after coming over from Philadelphia, but there will be a lot of eyes on rookie running back Todd Gurley and – when he gets healthy – what he can bring to the offense.

Defensively, St. Louis’ front-seven is among the best in the NFL. The secondary remains the concern.

Houston at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

San Francisco at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Cincinnati at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Baltimore at Miami, 10 a.m.

Seattle at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Carolina at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.

Arizona at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Atlanta at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

Jacksonville at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

Kansas City at Oakland, 1:05 p.m.

Denver at San Diego, 1:05 p.m.

Philadelphia at New Eng., 1:25 p.m.

Indianapolis at Pitt.-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 7 Dallas at Washington, 5:30 p.m.

Week 14

Monday, Nov. 23

Thursday, Dec. 10

Buffalo at New England, 5:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Arizona, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 13 Atlanta at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Washington at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

San Francisco at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

New England at Houston, 10 a.m.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.

San Diego at Kansas City, 10 a.m.

Tennessee at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

Buffalo at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Detroit at St. Louis, 10 a.m.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

Oakland at Denver, 1:05 p.m.

Dallas at Green Bay, 1:25 p.m.

Seattle at Baltimore-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 14 N.Y. Giants at Miami, 5:30 p.m.

Week 15 Thursday, Dec. 17 Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 5:25 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19 N.Y. Jets at Dallas, 5:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 20 Kansas City at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

Houston at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Atlanta at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.

Chicago at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Tennessee at New England, 10 a.m.

Carolina at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.

Arizona at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Buffalo at Washington, 10 a.m.

Green Bay at Oakland, 1:05 p.m.

Cleveland at Seattle, 1:05 p.m.

Denver at Pittsburgh, 1:25 p.m.

Miami at San Diego, 1:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Fran.-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 21 Detroit at New Orleans, 5:30 p.m.

Week 16

Indianapolis at Miami, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Giants at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

Jacksonville at New Orleans, 10 a.m.

New England at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

Chicago at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.

Houston at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

Green Bay at Arizona, 1:25 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 1:25 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore-x, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28 Cincinnati at Denver, 5:30 p.m.

Week 17 Sunday, Jan. 3 New Orleans at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

N.Y. Jets at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Carolina, 10 a.m.

Detroit at Chicago, 10 a.m.

Baltimore at Cincinnati, 10 a.m.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Washington at Dallas, 10 a.m.

Minnesota at Green Bay, 10 a.m.

Jacksonville at Houston, 10 a.m.

Tennessee at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Oakland at Kansas City, 10 a.m.

New England at Miami, 10 a.m.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.

Seattle at Arizona, 1:25 p.m.

San Diego at Denver, 1:25 p.m.

St. Louis at San Francisco, 1:25 p.m.

(Note: Night game TBD)

Postseason Saturday, Jan. 9 AFC and NFC Wild Card Playoff

Sunday, Jan. 10 AFC and NFC Wild Card Playoff

Saturday, Jan. 16 AFC and NFC Divisional Playoff

Thursday, Dec. 24

Sunday, Jan. 17

San Diego at Oakland, 5:25 p.m.

AFC and NFC Divisional Playoff

Saturday, Dec. 26

Sunday, Jan. 24

Wash. at Philadelphia, 5:25 p.m.

AFC and NFC Championship Games

Sunday, Dec. 27

Sunday, Jan. 31

Carolina at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

Dallas at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

San Francisco at Detroit, 10 a.m.

Cleveland at Kansas City, 10 a.m.

Pro Bowl (ESPN)

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

Sunday, Feb. 7 Super Bowl (CBS)

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THURSDAY

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

Contact the Sports department: (509) 459-5500; fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com

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