1986 Idaho Vandals football team

Notable games

The Vandals defeated rival Boise State for the fifth consecutive year, the fifth of twelve straight over the Broncos, but lost twice to Nevada, who were top-ranked in I-AA and undefeated in the regular season. Uncommon for a playoff team, the Vandals were shut out at home 24–0 by Northern Arizona in late October.

Division I-AA playoffs

The playoffs were expanded from 12 to 16 teams in 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season, eliminating the first round bye for the top four seeds. Idaho and Big Sky champion Nevada were the only two teams selected from the West, and were paired up in the first round in Reno two days after Thanksgiving. In mid-October the teams played a close defensive game, and the Vandals came up short by four points. The rematch in the post-season was not close as the Wolf Pack prevailed 27–7, improving their record over Idaho to 8–1 since joining the Big Sky in 1979.

Notable players

The 1986 team included two future NFL head coaches: quarterback Scott Linehan and offensive lineman Tom Cable. Future NFL players with lengthy pro careers included guard Mark Schlereth (redshirt sophomore) and redshirt freshman John Friesz, a future collegiate hall of fame quarterback was Linehan's back-up in 1986. Friesz was a three-year starter (1987–89) and defeated Nevada-Reno all three seasons, including the first-ever victory in Reno in 1988.

Schedule

|{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l

Roster

• Bill Diedrick (OC)
• Kent Baer (DC) :Source:

All-conference

Linebacker Tom Hennessey was a repeat selection to the all-conference team. Eight Vandals were included on the second team: safety Mark Tidd, linebacker Nolan Harper, defensive end Kord Smith, quarterback Scott Linehan, running back Steve Jackson, wide receiver Brant Bengen, and tackles Paul Taggert and Greg Hale.

References

References

1. Boling, Dave. (December 3, 1986). "Dennis who?". Spokane Chronicle.
2. Stoffer, Jeff. (December 1, 1986). "UI no obstruction for top-rated Reno". Idahonian.
3. "Idaho 1985-89".
4. Boling, Dave. (October 19, 1986). "Idaho fumbles a chance to beat Reno, 17-13". Spokesman-Review.
5. (December 3, 1986). "Hennessey again on first team". Idahonian.
6. (September 7, 1986). "PSU loses opener". Statesman Journal.
7. (September 14, 1986). "Holland tailback Stevenson powers CMU's opening win". The Grand Rapids Press.
8. (September 21, 1986). "Idaho 25, CS Fullerton 17". The Los Angeles Times.
9. (September 28, 1986). "Vandals overcome No. 6 EWU". The Idaho Statesman.
10. (October 5, 1986). "Idaho opens Big Sky with a bang". Reno Gazette-Journal.
11. (October 19, 1986). "Nevada–Reno rallies over Idaho". The Montana Standard.
12. (October 26, 1986). "NAU beats Idaho with 8 FGs". South Idaho Press.
13. (November 2, 1986). "Griz fizzle in fourth quarter". Great Falls Tribune.
14. (November 9, 1986). "Idaho posts big win over Cats". The Billings Gazette.
15. (November 16, 1986). "Playoff hopes still flicker as Vandals beat Weber". The Idaho Statesman.
16. (November 23, 1986). "Idaho outduals Boise State". The Courier-Journal.
17. (November 30, 1986). "Vandals die slow death in Reno". The Spokesman-Review.
18. (September 20, 1986). "Starting line-ups". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
19. (September 27, 1986). "Starting line-ups". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
20. (December 3, 1986). "Hennessey honored in Sky". Spokane Chronicle.
21. (December 3, 1986). "Hennessey again on first team". Idahonian.