Sports

Vandals Prepare for Cal Poly Opener

Monday, August 24, 2026

2 min read

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Idaho football is moving into game week preparation with specific focus on red-zone and third-down situations ahead of Friday's season opener against Cal Poly.

Coach Thomas Ford Jr. said the team used Saturday's practice to hone defensive and offensive strategies in key scenarios, including two bonus days of practice on Sunday and Tuesday to repeat drills. The coaching staff used scout drills to test players' understanding of game plan execution, with Ford noting players are beginning to grasp why certain plays are called in specific situations.

The Vandals will face Cal Poly in their season opener on Friday, with preparation now centered on refining execution of their game plan.

📄 Source: Moscow-Pullman Daily News — https://www.dnews.com/rss.xml

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Idaho football is moving into game week preparation“Idaho football is past fall camp and moving full steam ahead in preparation for Friday’s season opener against Cal Poly.”
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Idaho football is focusing on red-zone and third-down situations“Then Idaho got together for specific red-zone and third-down “scout” drills for the offense and the defense in preparation for Cal Poly.”
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Idaho football's season opener is against Cal Poly“Idaho football is past fall camp and moving full steam ahead in preparation for Friday’s season opener against Cal Poly.”
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Idaho football's season opener is on Friday“Idaho football is past fall camp and moving full steam ahead in preparation for Friday’s season opener against Cal Poly.”
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Coach Thomas Ford Jr. said the team used Saturday's practice to hone defensive and offensive strategies“"So really, we had kind of two bonus days ... where we’re trying to get some base down football, trying to get some third-down red-zone football going, and then we’ll get a chance to repeat it because again we still have Sunday and Tuesday to kind of have similar practices," Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. said.”
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The coaching staff used scout drills to test players' understanding of game plan execution“During those unit and scout drills, the Idaho coaching staff was essentially quizzing their players on what to do in some situations and figuring out how well they run their respective sides of the ball.”
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Coach Thomas Ford Jr. noted players are beginning to grasp why certain plays are called in specific situationsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The Vandals will face Cal Poly in their season opener“Idaho football is past fall camp and moving full steam ahead in preparation for Friday’s season opener against Cal Poly.”
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Preparation is now centered on refining execution of their game planNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.