1987 Idaho Vandals football team

Notable games

Following a non-conference loss at home to Central Michigan, and a road loss to struggling intrastate rival Idaho State, Idaho won its final six games of the regular season. The Vandals defeated Nevada for only the second time in the ten meetings since the Wolf Pack joined the Big Sky in 1979, and defeated rival Boise State for the sixth consecutive year, the sixth of twelve straight over the Broncos.

Division I-AA playoffs

For the third consecutive season, Idaho returned to the 16-team I-AA playoffs. The Vandals hosted conference foe Weber State, whom they had defeated in Utah four weeks earlier by three points. The Wildcats won the rematch 59–30, before a sparse crowd at the Kibbie Dome two days after Thanksgiving, ending the Vandals' season at 9–3.

Notable players

The 1987 team included two future NFL players with lengthy pro careers: guard Mark Schlereth and redshirt sophomore John Friesz, a future collegiate hall of fame quarterback as a three-year starter (1987–89).

Schedule

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Roster

• Bill Diedrick (OC)
• Barry Lamb (DC)
• Mike Cox (LB) | access-date= :Source:

All-conference

Six Vandals were named to the all-conference team: quarterback John Friesz, tackle Greg Hale, guard Todd Neu, defensive end Pete Wilkins, safety Ernest Sanders, and cornerback Virgil Paulsen. Second team selections were wide receiver Eric Jorgensen, tight end Craig Robinson, and punter John Pleas. Honorable mention were wide receiver/kick returner John Jake, running back Todd Hoiness, center Steve Unger, defensive linemen Kord Smith and Jim Routos, and placekicker Brian Decicio.

Friesz, from Coeur d'Alene, was also named the Big Sky's outstanding offensive player.

References

References

1. Pierce, Oliver. (September 12, 1987). "UI must ground Chippewas' rush". Idahonian.
2. Pierce, Oliver. (September 14, 1987). "CMU has too much for gutty Vandals". Idahonian.
3. Tatko, Mike. (October 3, 1987). "Vandals problem: Getting excited for ISU". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
4. Pierce, Oliver. (October 3, 1987). "Idaho's life on top could get better by downing ISU". Idahonian.
5. Tatko, Mike. (October 4, 1987). "ISU's bad luck ends with Idaho". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
6. Pierce, Oliver. (October 17, 1987). "Idaho: classic battle of run versus pass". Idahonian.
7. Pierce, Oliver. (October 19, 1987). "UI, scoreoard both prove functional". Idahonian.
8. (November 29, 1987). "Weber State 59, Idaho 30". Eugene Register-Guard.
9. Jacobson, Bryan. (September 5, 1987). "Let the seasons begin". Idahonian.
10. Pierce, Oliver. (September 7, 1987). "Idaho land attack takes air out of Mavericks". Idahonian.
11. Pierce, Oliver. (September 19, 1987). "Strength vs. strength for UI, Portland State". Idahonian.
12. (September 21, 1987). "UI defense wins case with Vikings". Idahonian.
13. Pierce, Oliver. (September 26, 1987). "Idaho: Big Sky play draws tough opener". Idahonian.
14. Tatko, Mike. (October 10, 1987). "Cougars, Vandals at home after long absence". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
15. Tatko, Mike. (October 11, 1987). "Idaho outruns Montana". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
16. Spevak, Jeff. (October 11, 1987). "Idaho's medical list grows as injuries plague team". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
17. Pierce, Oliver. (October 12, 1987). "UI rekindles Big Sky title hopes". Idahonian.
18. Pierce, Oliver. (October 24, 1987). "Governor's Cup tilt". Idahonian.
19. Pierce, Oliver. (October 26, 1987). "Idaho can treat itself to crown". Idahonian.
20. Pierce, Oliver. (October 31, 1987). "Big Sky chase". Idahonian.
21. (November 8, 1987). "Idaho holds off Bobcats, moves closer to Big Sky title". Reno Gazette-Journal.
22. (November 22, 1987). "Friesz guides Vandals to BSC crown". South Idaho Press.
23. (September 1, 1987). "UI: Medved twins have big shoes to fill in the middle". Idahonian.
24. (September 2, 1987). "UI: Vandals should be strong at defensive end". Idahonian.
25. (September 3, 1987). "UI: Secondary is a strength". Idahonian.
26. (October 3, 1987). "Starting line-ups". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
27. (December 2, 1987). "All-Big Sky teams". Spokane Chronicle.
28. (December 2, 1987). "EWU's Stein makes All-Big Sky". Spokane Chronicle.
29. (December 2, 1987). "Six Vandals on Big Sky first team". Idahonian.
30. (December 2, 1987). "Friesz, Buenzli top All=Big Sky teams". Spokesman-Review.
31. (December 4, 1987). "Idaho's Friesz best in Big Sky". Idahonian.
32. (December 4, 1987). "Friesz captures Big Sky MVP award". Spokesman-Review.