Fighting for Survival: NCAA 04 Idaho Vandals Dynasty

[SalamiGrease]

Just a quick question, can anyone see these pictures on mobile? I just checked the thread out and they show up blank, which wasn’t happening previously. However, I can see them on PC just fine. If it’s not working I want to be able to fix it before I go any further with this dynasty

[SalamiGrease]

Around the NCAA

SI Cover: Big First Win of 2003: Kansas State opens the year with a convincing 30-3 victory over Cal.

Week 1’s three-game slate did not disappoint in whetting our hunger for the college football season. Kansas State justified their top-5 ranking with a dominant win over Cal, 30-3. San Jose State lost 31-10 to lowly Grambling State, and Idaho, under threat of losing their D-1 privileges, notched a comfortable W over Idaho State.


Heisman Watch:

Maurice Clarett- Ohio State
Cody Pickett- Washington
Philip Rivers- NC State
Roy Williams- Texas
Eli Roberson- Kansas State- 9-19, 145 yds, 2 TD, 13 Car, 93 yds


Top 25 Poll

1. Ohio State (32)
2. Oklahoma (24)
3. Miami (2)
4. Texas (1)
5. Kansas State
6. Auburn
7. Virginia Tech
8. Georgia
9. USC
10. Michigan
11. NC State
12. Pittsburgh
13. Florida State
14. Washington
15. Maryland
16. LSU
17. Tennessee
18. Virginia
19. Florida
20. Notre Dame
21. Arizona State
22. Alabama
23. Purdue
24. Texas A&M
25. Wisconsin

Players of the Week:

Brian Lindgren (Idaho): 18-26, 339 yds, 3 car, 15 yds, 6 total TD

MLB #58 (Cal): 11 tackles(3 TFL), Sk, 3 FF, 3 FR

[SalamiGrease]

IDAHO (1-0) VS #9 USC (0-0) GAME PREVIEW

Matchup Preview *|* August 31, 2003
	@
Idaho Vandals (1-0, Away)		#9 USC Trojans (0-0, Home)
Injury Report None None Game Notes The USC Trojans will open up their season against lowly Idaho at the Rose Bowl this weekend. Expect this one to be a blowout, especially with how the Matt Leinart to Mike Williams connection has been looking so far. The Vandals showed some bright spots in last week's contest with Idaho State, notably quarterback Brian Lindgren, but USC's defense will be too much to handle. Look for Shaun Cody and Darnell Bing to make some big plays defensively, as the Vandals succumb to a relentless Trojan attack. Prediction: USC 48, Idaho 14

[johnstone1987]

I'm on PC and the pictures come up fine bro!

[SalamiGrease]

Thanks. Good to know.

[SalamiGrease]

Solid Defense Salvages USC's Poor Offensive Performance


Reggie Williams makes a catch to set up a Trojan touchdown in the second quarter

Before the Trojans' season opener at the LA Colosseum, coach Jerry Kramer of Idaho was asked how his team would be able to handle the pressure of playing on such a big stage against a top-10 team. He simply answered "by winning." And, for a bit, it looked like he might be right.

Idaho's defense came to play, and stopped the Trojans on a third and short to force a punt on the opening drive. The offense got to work immediately, completing pass after pass and even getting a good Malfred Shaw run in there. The drive converted on several third downs, and resulted in a touchdown sneak by Brian Lindgren on 4th and Goal.

"We trust in ourselves to make those kinds of plays when we need to." Kramer was quoted as saying after the game. "There weren't enough opportunities to make those plays, however, and that'll need some ironing out as we go forward."

The negative tone of the second quote was warranted, as after that opening drive, Idaho did not score another point.

The Trojans came up with another bad drive, before really putting the pedal to the metal defensively. The defense dominated the line of scrimmage after that first drive, and Idaho was forced to punt on several 4th-and-20s. The run game was neutralized, and the pressure forced Lindgren to throw five picks.

Lindgren later remarked: "This loss is really on me. I need to perform well before anyone else as the quarterback, and I made some boneheaded decisions out there." Bad quarterback play or not, the Vandals were completely overmatched in all phases of the game offensively. The run game was nonexistent, and drops were rife.

The Trojan offense got fired up after that, and, thanks to some crazy plays by Reggie Williams and FB Brandon Hancock, put two consecutive touchdown drives together before the end of the half to go up 14-7. The second half presented Idaho with several chances to score, but most were wasted. They drove several times into Trojan territory, but two basically identical interceptions ended their hopes. Malfred Shaw was overthrown coming out of the backfield, and freshman SS Darnell Bing accelerated for a pair of free turnovers.


A USC DB intercepts a Lindgren pass

The Trojans missed two field goals on those turnover drives, giving the Vandals a chance, but the rest of the game resulted in three-and outs and clock management. The final score: USC 17, Idaho 7.

The Trojan offense was limited, especially in the run game, but Matt Leinart had himself a day with 60% completion percentage and over 300 yards. WR Reggie Williams burned an overmatched Rod Bryant all day, collecting a pair of touchdowns and almost 200 yards.

While the loss is dejecting, losing by 10 to a team like USC is not something to be looked down upon. And if the Vandals can minimize their mistakes against some more top-notch competition in the coming weeks, they will definitely be meeting the criteria for keeping themselves alive by season's end.

Next up is Ohio State. Buckle up Vandal Nation, for there is hope in the air.


The USC kicker watches his second kick go wide, near the end of the 3rd quarter.

[Careless Whisper]

A 10-point defeat at USC with a team as strapped for talent as Idaho is can definitely be considered a win. Gives you some hope for the rest of the season!

[SalamiGrease]

Quote: Originally Posted by Careless Whisper

A 10-point defeat at USC with a team as strapped for talent as Idaho is can definitely be considered a win. Gives you some hope for the rest of the season!

For sure! I got pretty lucky to keep it that close, but it’s a big confidence boost and an indication of what we’re capable of, even in year 1. I was expecting it to be a blowout, but that’s why you play the game!