Idaho football team enjoying bowl experience

Vandals receiver

Sannon wins

Humanitarian Award

BOISE — Monday marked Idaho’s first day of practice in Boise as the Vandals prepare for Thursday’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl game against Colorado State.

Kickoff for the nationally televised ESPN game at Albertsons Stadium is 4 p.m. PST.

“It’s unbelievable,” said starting center Steven Matlock, a product of Boise’s Capital High School who found himself in a starting role on the offensive line as a true freshman four years ago. “I never thought we’d be where we are today. It’s not only rewarding for the team but for myself. It’s awesome.”

Matlock, a two-year starter at center after two at guard, is one of 20 seniors on the team who has seen the program transform from 1-11 in coach Paul Petrino’s first season to 8-4 heading into Thursday’s game. It is the best-regular season record by an Idaho team since the 1998 Humanitarian Bowl Champion concluded the regular season at 8-3.

He and his fellow seniors, and a host of underclassmen, are reaping the post-season rewards that include not only time in the national spotlight as the only bowl game on Thursday, but the festive atmosphere that goes with a bowl. Dinners, gift suites, bowling and tubing in the snow all are on the agenda for the Vandals.

“We’re having fun,” said senior receiver Callen Hightower, “but at the end of the day, it’s a business trip. We still know what we have to do out here.”

Sunday started early for the Vandals, with a 6:30 a.m. practice. Then they were on the road to Boise to begin preparation for Thursday’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

The Vandals left the Kibbie Dome at 8:30 a.m. in a convey of five charter buses. They stopped just east of Pendleton to stretch their legs before continuing to Boise. The Vandal Fight Song greeted them as they checked into the Red Lion Riverside Hotel before sitting down to a potato and steak dinner.

At the opening night dinner, junior receiver Jacob Sannon was honored as the Vandals’ recipient of the Humanitarian Award. He was recognized for his community activities on and off campus, as well as his always being ready to lend a hand to his teammates and his future plans to assist those in need in Haiti, the home of his parents.

After dinner was the long-anticipated trip through the gift suite where they could choose from watches, TVs, a wide variety of headphones and ear buds, a waffle maker, bluetooth speakers, sunglasses and more. They wrapped up their trip to the gift suite by being sized for their rings.

Tickets are still available through the Vandal Ticket Office. Tune in to a two-hour Bowl Special on Thursday from 1-3 p.m. PST on the Vandal Radio Network before catching the action with Dennis Patchin and Ryan Phillips.