1982 Idaho Vandals football team
Encyclopedia
The 1982 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho
in the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals
, led by first-year head coach Dennis Erickson
, were members of the Big Sky Conference
and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome
, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow
, Idaho
.
Led by junior quarterback Ken Hobart
, the Vandals finished 8-3 in the regular season and 5-2 in the Big Sky in a three-way tie for first, and qualified for the post-season for the first time in school history. Idaho defeated rival Boise State
for the first time in six years, the first of twelve straight over the Broncos. The Vandals also defeated Idaho State, the defending conference and national champions; the consecutive intrastate games were both on the road.
Idaho rebounded from the previous season, in which they were 3-8 overall and winless in conference play under fourth-year head coach Jerry Davitch
, losing their final six games, finishing with a fifth consecutive loss to Boise State.
The Vandals won all six home games in 1982 and finished at 9-4 overall. The nine victories were the most in school history, later surpassed only by the 1988 and 1993 teams, both of which won 11 games and reached the I-AA semifinals.
, and Montana State. Montana was the conference champion was it defeated the other two. (Montana State
was the odd team out, as the Bobcats lost to both Montana and Idaho.) Montana and Idaho were both selected for the first time to participate in the Division I-AA playoffs, newly expanded to 12 teams for the fifth season of I-AA. Although the Grizzlies (6-5, 5-2) were the conference champions due to their win over Idaho in Missoula
in mid-October, the Vandals were chosen by the NCAA
to host the late November game, primarily due to their indoor stadium. Idaho won the rematch 21-7, played before a sparse crowd in Moscow two days after Thanksgiving, and advanced to the quarterfinals on the road against eventual champion Eastern Kentucky
. EKU was a I-AA finalist the previous three seasons; they won the title in 1979, but lost to Big Sky champions Boise State in 1980
and Idaho State
in 1981. Down by a large margin early, Idaho mounted a comeback and nearly became the third team from the state to defeat EKU in the playoffs in as many years. The Vandals were well into EKU territory with 31 seconds remaining, but came up 8 points short after a controversial interception.
was selected in the seventh round (177th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft
by the Seattle Seahawks
. He played five seasons with Seattle, primarily on special teams. Junior quarterback Ken Hobart
led the 1983 Vandals
to an 8-3 record as a senior, then played a season in the USFL
with Jacksonville
in 1984 and several in the CFL
.
, age 35, who was previously the offensive coordinator
at San Jose State
under Jack Elway
. Both of Erickson's coordinators for the 1982 Vandals were future head coaches at Idaho and other programs. Keith Gilbertson
left after the 1982 season for Los Angeles of the new USFL
, returned to Idaho in 1985, and was promoted after the season when Erickson left for Wyoming
. Defensive coordinator John L. Smith
followed Erickson to Wyoming in 1986 and Washington State
in 1987. Smith returned to the Vandals in January 1989
to succeed Gilbertson, who had left a month before to coach the offensive line for the Washington Huskies
under Don James. Erickson left WSU for Miami
in early March.
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
in the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals
Idaho Vandals
The Idaho Vandals are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Idaho. They participate in NCAA Division I - FBS in the Western Athletic Conference ....
, led by first-year head coach Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
, were members of the Big Sky Conference
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome
Kibbie Dome
The William H. Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center is a multi-purpose indoor athletic stadium in Moscow, Idaho, on the campus of the University of Idaho...
, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow
Moscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
.
Led by junior quarterback Ken Hobart
Ken Hobart
Kenneth Charles "Ken" Hobart is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the USFL and CFL, where he played from 1985-90.-Collegiate career:...
, the Vandals finished 8-3 in the regular season and 5-2 in the Big Sky in a three-way tie for first, and qualified for the post-season for the first time in school history. Idaho defeated rival Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
for the first time in six years, the first of twelve straight over the Broncos. The Vandals also defeated Idaho State, the defending conference and national champions; the consecutive intrastate games were both on the road.
Idaho rebounded from the previous season, in which they were 3-8 overall and winless in conference play under fourth-year head coach Jerry Davitch
Jerry Davitch
Jerry J. Davitch is a former college football coach and secondary school administrator. Since 2004 he has served as the superintendent of schools in Richland Township, just northeast of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He served in a similar capacity for eight years in nearby Conemaugh Township in...
, losing their final six games, finishing with a fifth consecutive loss to Boise State.
The Vandals won all six home games in 1982 and finished at 9-4 overall. The nine victories were the most in school history, later surpassed only by the 1988 and 1993 teams, both of which won 11 games and reached the I-AA semifinals.
Division I-AA playoffs
The 1982 season finished with three teams at 5-2 in the Big Sky: Idaho, MontanaMontana Grizzlies football
The Montana Grizzlies football program represents the University of Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. The Grizzlies have competed in the Big Sky Conference, where it is a founding member, since 1963...
, and Montana State. Montana was the conference champion was it defeated the other two. (Montana State
Montana State Bobcats football
The Montana State Bobcats football program competes in the Big Sky Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision for Montana State University. The program began in 1897 and has won three national championships...
was the odd team out, as the Bobcats lost to both Montana and Idaho.) Montana and Idaho were both selected for the first time to participate in the Division I-AA playoffs, newly expanded to 12 teams for the fifth season of I-AA. Although the Grizzlies (6-5, 5-2) were the conference champions due to their win over Idaho in Missoula
Missoula, Montana
Missoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area...
in mid-October, the Vandals were chosen by the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
to host the late November game, primarily due to their indoor stadium. Idaho won the rematch 21-7, played before a sparse crowd in Moscow two days after Thanksgiving, and advanced to the quarterfinals on the road against eventual champion Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky Colonels football
The Eastern Kentucky University Colonels football team is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision...
. EKU was a I-AA finalist the previous three seasons; they won the title in 1979, but lost to Big Sky champions Boise State in 1980
1980 Boise State Broncos football team
The 1980 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Broncos competed in the Big Sky Conference and played their home games at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The Broncos were led by fifth-year head coach Jim Criner...
and Idaho State
Idaho State Bengals football
The Idaho State Bengals football program represents Idaho State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision . As of the end of the 2010 season they have an all-time record of 449–463–20...
in 1981. Down by a large margin early, Idaho mounted a comeback and nearly became the third team from the state to defeat EKU in the playoffs in as many years. The Vandals were well into EKU territory with 31 seconds remaining, but came up 8 points short after a controversial interception.
Notable players
Linebacker Sam Merriman from TucsonTucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
was selected in the seventh round (177th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft
1983 NFL Draft
The 1983 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 26–27, 1983...
by the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. He played five seasons with Seattle, primarily on special teams. Junior quarterback Ken Hobart
Ken Hobart
Kenneth Charles "Ken" Hobart is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the USFL and CFL, where he played from 1985-90.-Collegiate career:...
led the 1983 Vandals
1983 Idaho Vandals football team
The 1983 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by second-year head coach Dennis Erickson, were members of the Big Sky Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in...
to an 8-3 record as a senior, then played a season in the USFL
United States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
with Jacksonville
Jacksonville Bulls
The Jacksonville Bulls were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League during its final two seasons, 1984 and 1985...
in 1984 and several in the CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
.
Coaches
The 1982 season was the first as a collegiate head coach for Dennis EricksonDennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
, age 35, who was previously the offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
at San Jose State
San José State Spartans Football
The San Jose State Spartans represent San Jose State University and the Silicon Valley in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The Spartans play all home games in Spartan Stadium, which offers a seating capacity of over 30,000...
under Jack Elway
Jack Elway
John Albert "Jack" Elway, Sr. was an American football player and head coach; he was the father of John Elway, a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.-Early life:...
. Both of Erickson's coordinators for the 1982 Vandals were future head coaches at Idaho and other programs. Keith Gilbertson
Keith Gilbertson
Keith Gilbertson, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. He is currently a scout with the Cleveland Browns of the NFL...
left after the 1982 season for Los Angeles of the new USFL
United States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
, returned to Idaho in 1985, and was promoted after the season when Erickson left for Wyoming
Wyoming Cowboys football
The Wyoming Cowboys are a college football team that represents the University of Wyoming. They compete in the Mountain West Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I. The team has won 15 conference titles...
. Defensive coordinator John L. Smith
John L. Smith
John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino...
followed Erickson to Wyoming in 1986 and Washington State
Washington State Cougars football
The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
in 1987. Smith returned to the Vandals in January 1989
1989 Idaho Vandals football team
The 1989 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1989 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by first-year head coach John L...
to succeed Gilbertson, who had left a month before to coach the offensive line for the Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
under Don James. Erickson left WSU for Miami
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
in early March.
1982 season schedule
External link
- Lewiston Morning Tribune - Starting line-ups - opening game - UI @ WSU - 1982-09-11 - p.3C