Petrino looking for improvement in second scrimmage

MOSCOW — Paul Petrino’s team is nearing the midpoint of fall camp and what he wants to see in the Idaho Vandals’ second scrimmage is flawless football.

“One of the biggest ways to learn how to win is to not beat yourself,” he said. “I’d like to see us go through the whole scrimmage on Saturday and not have any silly penalties, not turn the ball over, not have assignment mistakes.

“If everybody will just play with great effort and be 100 percent on their assignments, that’s the way to find a way to win. Don’t beat yourself.”

Today’s scrimmage begins at 10 a.m. at the Kibbie Dome.

Petrino likes what he is seeing so far this August.

“Fall camp has gone really well,” he said as he prepares the Vandals for their Aug. 30 season opener at Florida. “There’s no question — we’re a 100 percent better team than we were at the end of spring. We just have to keep improving; keep paying attention to detail.”

The addition of some standout newcomers is blending well with veterans, who have shown marked improvement from one year ago. Petrino this fall has had praise in particular for the offensive line’s progress as well as that of the secondary. There is depth and talent at linebacker with newcomer Irving Steele emerging as a force.

The battle for the starting quarterback between sophomore, and Coeur d’Alene High standout Chad Chalich, and redshirt freshman Matt Linehan continues. Irregardless of who wins it, there is a fleet of capable receivers with returner Deon Watson of Coeur d’Alene, along with quarterback-turned-receiver Josh McCain and dual threat Richard Montgomery.

The Vandals are off Sunday before returning for Monday’s two-a-day (9 a.m. and 4 p.m.) practice. Their final two-a-day is Wednesday with a 9 a.m. practice Tuesday and a 3:30 p.m. practice Thursday.