Collado, Perry to see action against Fresno State
(Courtesy photo) Sandpoint resident Kendon Perry, left, attended the Vandal Celebration recently in Coeur d’Alene where Jerry Kramer was the Guest of Honor. “I presented him a Sandpoint Bulldog cap that he proudly wore for pictures at the end of the evening,” said Perry. “Clearly he’s an inspiration and an example of how hard work and a positive attitude can help pave the way for success regardless of where you come from in life.”
MOSCOW — A pair of former Sandpoint Bulldogs will see action on Saturday night when the Idaho Vandals kick off the football season at Fresno State of the Mountain West Conference.
Carlos Collado, a 6-4, 275 pounder who is listed as an offensive lineman in the media guide, is currently playing tight end and fullback, and could see action at either spot in the opener. He switched from No. 69 to No. 43, for eligibility purposes.
Perry, who wearns No. 35, is currently No. 2 on the “Mike” linebacker depth chart, and starting on both kickoff special teams. Perry was also was on the Dean’s list for spring semester and is carrying a 3.50 GPA.
“I’m quite impressed with U of I coaching staff and their approach to building young men,” wrote proud dad Kendon Perry in an email. “In the class-room, societally, and on the field.”
The game will be streamed live exclusively through Facebook, produced by Stadium. Dan Hellie will handle play-by-play with David Carr providing analysis and Vandal Athletics Hall of Famer Kelli Johnson reporting from the sideline. The stream can be found on the Facebook pages for Vandal Athletics and Stadium. A live video player will also be embedded on a splash page at GoVandals.com on game day.
Head coach Jeff Tedford led the Fresno State to the Mountain West Conference West Division title last season in his first year at the helm of his alma mater. Fresno State was predicted to repeat as division champions in 2018. The Bulldogs return 17 starters from last season.
The Vandals and Bulldogs have met 15 times previously, including seven times as league opponents in the Western Athletic Conference from 2005-11. Fresno State leads 11-4. The Bulldogs have won the last 10 meetings.
This season, Idaho football returns to the Big Sky Conference and the Football Championship Subdivision. The Vandals previously won eight conference titles as a charter member of the Big Sky from 1963-95. Idaho qualified for the national playoffs 11 times in their final 14 years at the then-Division I-AA level. A 22-year run in the Football Bowl Subdivision netted a 3-0 record in bowl games, including a win in the 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Five current Vandals started in the latest bowl victory.
Sixth-year head coach Paul Petrino was an assistant coach on Idaho’s last Big Sky championship team in 1992. Petrino coached running backs and wide receivers during his three-year stint as an assistant in Moscow from 1992-94, his first Division I coaching job. Among his wide receivers on the 1992 championship team was Walt Saunders, father of Vandal senior running back Isaiah Saunders.
Three Vandals landed on the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team, as voted on by select media members who cover the league. Cade Coffey (punter), Kaden Elliss (linebacker) and Noah Johnson (offensive guard) each earned spots on the 31-player all-league team. The same trio was named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-America Team, including Johnson getting a first-team nod. He and Elliss were also named preseason All-Americans by STATS.
The Vandals played a school-record seven games decided by one possession last season. All seven came in Sun Belt Conference play. Idaho went 2-5 in those contests, suffering its five conference losses by a combined 24 points.
Idaho senior Kaden Elliss is expected to play a substantial role on both sides of the ball for the Vandals. Elliss, a preseason All-American at linebacker, will take a significant amount of snaps on offense as a tight end, wide receiver and full back. Last season Elliss was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection at linebacker with 80 tackles, including 16 for loss and six sacks. He also made seven receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns in limited action at tight end.