1986 Idaho Vandals football team
Encyclopedia
The 1986 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho
in the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals
, led by first-year head coach Keith Gilbertson
, were members of the Big Sky Conference
and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome
, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow
, Idaho
.
Continuing upon the success of the previous four seasons under Dennis Erickson
,
the Vandals were defending conference champions and finished the regular season at 8-3 and 5-2 in the Big Sky, tied for second. Led by senior quarterback Scott Linehan
, Idaho qualified for the I-AA playoffs for the second straight season.
for the fifth consecutive year, the fifth of twelve straight over the Broncos, but lost twice to nemesis Nevada
. Uncommon for a playoff team, the Vandals were shut out at home 24-0 by in late October.
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 Nevada joined the Big Sky in 1979.
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 all three seasons, including the first-ever victory in Reno in 1988.
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 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals
Idaho Vandals football
The Idaho Vandals are a college football team that represents the University of Idaho. The Vandals currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I...
, led by first-year head coach 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...
, 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....
.
Continuing upon the success of the previous four seasons under 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...
,
the Vandals were defending conference champions and finished the regular season at 8-3 and 5-2 in the Big Sky, tied for second. Led by senior quarterback Scott Linehan
Scott Linehan
Scott Thomas Linehan is an American football coach, currently the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the NFL. He was previously the head coach of the St...
, Idaho qualified for the I-AA playoffs for the second straight season.
Notable games
The Vandals defeated rival Boise StateBoise 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 fifth consecutive year, the fifth of twelve straight over the Broncos, but lost twice to nemesis Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
. Uncommon for a playoff team, the Vandals were shut out at home 24-0 by in late October.
Division I-AA playoffs
The I-AA playoffs were expanded from 12 to 16 teams in 1986, eliminating the first round bye for the top four seeds. Idaho and Big Sky champion NevadaNevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
were the only two teams selected from the West, and were paired up in the first round in Reno
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
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 Nevada joined the Big Sky in 1979.
Notable players
The 1986 team included two future NFLNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
head coaches: quarterback Scott Linehan
Scott Linehan
Scott Thomas Linehan is an American football coach, currently the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the NFL. He was previously the head coach of the St...
and offensive lineman Tom Cable
Tom Cable
-NFL:-References:...
. Future NFL players with lengthy pro careers included guard Mark Schlereth
Mark Schlereth
Mark Frederick Schlereth is a former professional football player and current television sportscaster. Schlereth played guard in the NFL for 12 seasons with the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos. He is currently a football analyst for ESPN on NFL Live, Sportscenter, and other programs...
(redshirt sophomore) and redshirt freshman John Friesz
John Friesz
John Melvin "Deep" Friesz is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, and the New England Patriots....
, a future collegiate hall of fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
quarterback was Linehan's back-up in 1986. Friesz was a three-year starter (1987-89) and defeated Nevada all three seasons, including the first-ever victory in Reno in 1988.