1989 Idaho Vandals football team

Notable games

Following two non-conference road losses to open the season at Washington State and , the Vandals won nine straight, which included an undefeated conference record of 8–0. It was the only time in school history that the football team has posted an unblemished conference record.

The Vandals defeated Montana, their only conference loss the previous season, on a Thursday night in the Kibbie Dome in late September, televised by ESPN. Idaho beat Nevada for the third straight year, only the fourth time in the twelve meetings since the Wolf Pack joined the Big Sky in 1979. The Vandals defeated rival Boise State for the eighth consecutive year, the eighth of twelve straight over the Broncos before a record crowd of 17,600 in the Kibbie Dome.

Division I-AA playoffs

For the fifth consecutive season, Idaho returned to the 16-team I-AA playoffs. The Vandals, on a nine-game winning streak, hosted Eastern Illinois at home but lost 21–38. The game was played before a sparse crowd at the Kibbie Dome two days after Thanksgiving and ended the Vandals' season at 9–3.

Notable players

The 1989 team included John Friesz, a future collegiate hall of fame quarterback as a three-year starter (1987–89). Friesz was the winner of the Walter Payton Award in 1989, and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 1990 NFL draft. He was in the NFL for the next decade with four teams.

Schedule

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Roster

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4ltWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ye8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6588%2C7486421 --

• Dan Cozzetto (OC)
• Gordon Shaw (DC)
• Bobby Petrino (QB)
• Mike Cox (LB) :Source:

All-conference

Quarterback John Friesz was named to the all-conference team for a third consecutive year. He was joined by center Steve Unger, guard Troy Wright, wide receiver Lee Allen, defensive end Mike Zeller, linebacker Roger Cecil, and cornerback Charlie Oliver.

Friesz was the Big Sky's outstanding offensive player for a third straight year,}} and won the Walter Payton Award.

NFL draft

One Vandal senior was selected in the 1990 NFL draft, which lasted twelve rounds (332 selections).

References

References

1. Schulte, Chris. (March 6, 1990). "UI's Shaw moving on to Wyoming". Idahonian.
2. Meehan, Jim. (January 3, 1989). "Smith no newcomer to UI football". Idahonian.
3. Boling, Dave. (January 4, 1989). "Vandals make it official: Smith". Spokesman-Review.
4. Sahlberg, Bert. (September 10, 1989). "Vandalized! Portland State stuns Idaho 29-20". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
5. (September 11, 1989). "Vandals' season off to scary start". Idahonian.
6. Stalwick, Howie. (September 29, 1989). "Idaho bags game Grizzlies". Spokane Chronicle.
7. Schulte, Chris. (September 29, 1989). "Friesz, defense help UI short-circuit Griz". Idahonian.
8. Schulte, Chris. (October 30, 1989). "Blocked kick helps UI sack Pack". Idahonian.
9. Schulte, Chris. (November 20, 1989). "Friesz shows he's human in UI win". Idahonian.
10. Schulte, Chris. (November 27, 1989). "Idaho: Long day, short playoffs". Idahonian.
11. (December 1, 1989). "No surprise: Friesz cops Big Sky MVP". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
12. (December 16, 1989). "Friesz named Payton award winner". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
13. (December 16, 1989). "UI's Friesz will receive Payton Award today". Idahonian.
14. Grummert, Dale. (September 3, 1989). "Cougars cruise past Idaho 41-7". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
15. Schulte, Chris. (September 18, 1989). "Vandals' Friesz stings Hornets". Idahonian.
16. Schulte, Chris. (September 25, 1989). "2nd half gives Smith 1st BSC win". Idahonian.
17. Hamilton, Linda. (September 25, 1989). "Wildcats save some tricks for Broncos". Deseret News.
18. Schulte, Chris. (October 9, 1989). "UI whips, now roots for NAU". Idahonian.
19. Schulte, Chris. (October 16, 1989). "UI gets better, 'Cats get blasted". Idahonian.
20. Schulte, Chris. (October 23, 1989). "UI has best BSC start – barely". Idahonian.
21. Schulte, Chris. (November 6, 1989). "Idaho can wait to celebrate". Idahonian.
22. (September 2, 1989). "Cougars heavy favorites as rivalry resumes today". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
23. (September 9, 1989). "Idaho at Portland State: probable starting lineups". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
24. (November 28, 1989). "Numerous Vandals earn All-Big Sky honors". Idahonian.
25. (November 28, 1989). "All-Big Sky: Second team selections". Idahonian.
26. (December 2, 1989). "Friesz named Kodak I-AA All-American QB". Lewiston Morning Tribune.