Vandals prepare for first spring football scrimmage

MOSCOW — The University of Idaho Vandals are months away from a football game but the competition begins Saturday in their first scrimmage of the spring, set for 10 a.m. at the Kibbie Dome.

With vastly improved depth across the board, the players know no position is safe.

“There are so many more guys battling for spots,” coach Paul Petrino said after Friday’s practice, “It’s been great. It’s been really good. There is competition at every position.”

The battle to start at quarterback is between sophomore Chad Chalich and redshirt freshman Matt Linehan — both of whom drew praise from Petrino Friday. Out of the quarterback mix and into another is Joshua McCain, who in 2013 backed up Chalich before his season ended with a shoulder injury. He mulled his options at the end of the summer and decided to ask Petrino if he could make the switch to receiver. Petrino agreed and the fit has been perfect.

“I didn’t know he’d be that good,” said Petrino after four days of practice during which McCain has been sure-handed, run his routes accurately and displayed his speed — a perfect complement to returning senior Dezmon Epps.

The ideal scrimmage, Petrino said, would be a draw.

“What I would really like to see tomorrow is neither side of the ball dominating,” he said. “Just play after play,