1970 Idaho Vandals football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1970 Idaho Vandals football Big Sky Conference Big Sky 4–7 2–2 Don Robbins 1st Bobby Thompson 2nd Ray Fulton 1st 5–2 Steve Olson Ron Davis Tim Reese Rogers Field The 1970 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho as a member of Big Sky Conference during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. The Vandals were led by first-year head coach Don Robbins. Without a usable stadium on their Moscow campus for a second year, they played their home games at Rogers Field at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Shortly after spring drills in May 1970, head coach Y C McNease was fired and assistant coach Robbins was promoted.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZLZeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UjAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4061,3027140 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho McNease fired from Vandal football coaching job May 16, 1970 12https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B5NYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7140%2C86995 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Whits, Idaho Idaho pick new grid bosses May 16, 1970 13https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZbZeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UjAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2424%2C3177385 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Robbins picked to coach Idaho May 17, 1970 12 With quarterbacks Steve Olson and Tom Ponciano running the offense,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_ZJYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5170%2C1457949 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Washington State-Idaho football special: rosters September 19, 1970 1, specialhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4wsSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=le0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6821%2C862302 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Soph quarterback presses Idaho vets September 18, 1970 26 the Vandals were 4–7 overall and 2–2 in the Big Sky.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WZFYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2248%2C2197450 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Recruiting needs seen for Vandals November 23, 1970 41 Winless after six games, they won four straight before dropping the finale. Entering the homecoming game on October 24, Idaho had a ten-game losing streak.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BrFeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4132%2C4968617 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Vandals hoping to avoid record 11th straight loss October 24, 1970 8https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yKZYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6389%2C2053550 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Idaho eyes 1st victory September 19, 1970 13https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eVRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6157%2C3726945 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Vandals win first – and they earned it October 25, 1970 1, sports https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B7FeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3976%2C5173785 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Bacharach Sam A. Idaho ends 10-game loss skein with win over Portland State October 25, 1970 15 In the Battle of the Palouse, the Vandals suffered a fourth straight loss to neighbor Washington State of the Pac-8, falling 44–16 at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane on September 19. After a scoreless first quarter, Idaho led by ten at halftime, but was then outscored 38–0.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5_BLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0OwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6243%2C1767836 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Cougars roar back, swamp Vandals September 20, 1970 1, sportshttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_pJYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7448%2C1622890 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Brown Bruce Next foes are tough September 21, 1970 17 It broke a ten-game losing streak for the Cougars,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YaBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3zEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4739%2C3755810 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho WSU Cougars, Idaho Vandals set for "Battle of the Palouse" September 19, 1970 8 and was their only win of the season.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-OwjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3ewDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6228%2C2129092 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Sonny Six dazzles Cougars November 22, 1970 1, sports The game with WSU was not played in 1969 or 1971.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4wsSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=le0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6715%2C957476 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Battle of Palouse matches explosive offenses at Albi September 19, 1970 14 The Big Sky added two teams this season, but the Vandals played neither. The new rivalry with Boise State began in 1971 and Idaho did not schedule Northern Arizona until 1975. The Vandals' former venue on campus, Neale Stadium, had been declared structurally unsafe due to soil erosion in the summer of 1969,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tJNYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RfgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7019,1311571 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Idaho stadium unsafe for use August 6, 1969 41 and its south grandstand burned that November in a suspected arson.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yIFfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5555,4352015 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Late night fire destroys portion of Neale Stadium on Idaho campus November 24, 1969 16 Idaho played home games at Rogers Field in Pullman in 1969 and 1970. In April 1970, Rogers Field also burned in a suspected arson,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qMJWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZOsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6745%2C2071379 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Fast blaze ruins Pullman stadium April 6, 1970 1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gpNYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4270%2C1561117 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington WSU fire may be arson April 6, 1970 1 which destroyed most of the primary grandstand on the south sideline, including the press box.http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/pullman/id/1880/rec/45 Washington State University Libraries Fire in Rogers Field stands April 5, 1970 September 30, 2016 WSU played its home games in 1970 and 1971 in Spokane at Joe Albi Stadium. Requiring less seating capacity, Idaho continued at Rogers in 1970, with reserved seating switched to the north side and students in the unburned lower section of the south grandstand.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tOpWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=le0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4377%2C3375436 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Rogers Field seating set for Vandals September 25, 1970 23 The new Idaho Stadium opened in October 1971. University division Through 1977, the Big Sky was a college division (renamed Division II in 1973) conference for football, except for university division (Division I) member Idaho, which moved down to the new Division I-AA in 1978. Idaho maintained its upper division status in the NCAA by playing university division non-conference opponents (and was ineligible for the college division postseason). Schedule Pacific September 12 12:30 pm l y y Air Force Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO 7–45 22,279–25,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=slJWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ie0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4781%2C4615565 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Air Force blitzes Vandals September 13, 1970 1, sports Summary Of Football Game Statistics – Home Team (Air Force vs. Idaho) https://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/statsPDFArchive/MFB1/1970/721.00_H_295.00_19700912_45_7.pdf National Collegiate Athletic Association May 15, 2025 September 19 1:30 pm l y y Washington State Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA Battle of the Palouse 16–44 27,200 September 26 1:30 pm l y Pacific (CA) Rogers Field Pullman, WA 10–17 8,600–10,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7vBLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0OwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4131%2C4279085 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Pacific beats Idaho late September 27, 1970 1, sports October 3 7:00 pm l y Idaho State ASISU Minidome Pocatello, ID 14–35 12,500 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8rBeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5734%2C785282 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Bacharach Sam A. ISU Bengals whip Vandals 35-14 October 4, 1970 12 October 10 1:30 pm l Montana Rogers Field Pullman, WA Little Brown Stein 26–44 4,600 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-bBeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5734%2C2230834 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Bacharach Sam A. Vandals fall 44-26 to tough Montana October 11, 1970 12 October 17 1:30 pm l y y Oregon Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR 13–49 21,300 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TKlVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4uADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6439%2C3540155 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon cawood Neil Ducks bomb Vandals as UO records tumble October 18, 1970 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=clRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4829%2C1227952 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Oregon's offense surely too much October 18, 1970 1, sports October 24 1:30 pm w y y 1970 Portland State Vikings Portland State Rogers Field Pullman, WA 17–16 6,700 October 31 12:00 pm w y Montana State Gatton Field Bozeman, MT 37–24 4,500 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=19ARAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6866%2C751348 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Vandals have pleasant day with Montana State victory November 1, 1970 1, sports November 7 12:30 pm w Weber State Rogers Field Pullman, WA 27–17 4,500 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4NARAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7062%2C3473013 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Everson Joe Vandals post third in a row November 8, 1970 4, sportshttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6jkVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SfgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6081%2C2304041 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Wakely Dan 2nd-half effort wins for Idaho November 9, 1970 13 November 14 12:30 pm w y y Utah State Romney Stadium Logan, UT 42–14 10,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=59ARAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6896%2C6036818 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Fast start helps Idaho rip Aggies November 15, 1970 1, sports November 21 11:30 am l y y Tulsa Skelly Field Tulsa, OK 17–30 8,500 Connors Bill TU Disciplines Vandals, 30-17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116823764/tulsa-world/ Tulsa World Tulsa, Oklahoma November 22, 1980 S1 January 19, 2023 Newspapers.com Connors Bill McGill Goes 97 to Clinch 5th Victory (continued) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116823869/tulsa-world/ Tulsa World Tulsa, Oklahoma November 22, 1980 S11 January 19, 2023 Newspapers.com https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-OwjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3ewDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4090%2C2127638 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Ill wind, Tulsa too much November 22, 1970 1, sports Roster 1970 Idaho Vandals f 10 Jr Tom Ponciano QB 11 Sr Steve Olson QB C 12 So Bruce Cole QB y 18 Jr Pete Glindeman QB 20 Jr Fred Riley RB 21 Jess Vernier WR 22 Jr Robert Williams RB 24 Jim Ingles RB 25 Terry Moreland WR 31 Sr Mike Wiscombe RB 37 Kelly Cooke WR 40 So Randy Peterson RB Steve Ball RB 45 Jr Jim Wilund WR, TE 50 So Ken Muhlbeier C 51 Sr John Durhan LG 52 So Larry Bosma OL 54 John Davis OL 59 So Daryl Hanauer OL 68 Sr Jim Wymer OL 70 Jr Richard Beaver RT 72 Bob Myklebust OL 73 Jr Faustin Riley RG 74 So Dave Crnich OL 75 Jr Rich Kushlan OL 76 Bill Fluke OL 77 Sr Bruce Langmade LT 78 Jr Andy Kupp OL 79 Joe Kristoff OL 80 Sr Ron Davis TE, P C 82 So Darrell Burchfield TE 86 Jerry Domzalski TE 89 Jr Jack Goddard WR 12 Jr John Hathaway S 25 Fr Randy Hall S y Randy Hall (American football) 26 Jr Steve Holdren S 27 Jr Pat Sprute CB 34 Jr Bob Miller S 36 Kurt Karlsson DB, P 38 Sr Jesse Craig LB 42 So Kelly Courage CB 44 Kirby Cook CB 53 So Rand Marquess LB 55 Sr Ron Roberts LB 56 So Mark Busch DL 57 Steve Vest DL 58 So Ralph Sletager LB 61 Jr Ron Linehan LB 62 Frank Shaner DL 65 Jr Bill Cady DT 67 Jr Steve Barker NG 69 Sr Brock Jackley DT 71 So Mike Newell DT 81 Jr Tom Jarman DE 85 Rick Simmons DE 87 Neil Stevens DL 88 Sr Tim Reese DE C Hank Boomer DL 7 Jr Ricardo Castillo PK *Don Robbins (1st year) Bob Thompson (OC) Ray Fulton (DC) Keith Lincoln Ed Troxel Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4wsSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=le0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6075%2C956030 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Bengals vs. Vandals: probable lineups September 19, 1970 14 All conference Four Vandals were selected to the all-Big Sky team: wide receiver Terry Moreland, halfback Fred Riley, defensive end Tim Reese, and linebacker Ron Linehan, a repeat pick. No second team was selected.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XZFYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2755%2C3567326 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Four Vandals selected as Sky stars November 27, 1970 13 NFL draft No Vandals were selected in the 1971 NFL draft, which lasted seventeen rounds (442 selections). Three juniors were selected in the 1972 NFL draft, also 17 rounds. Player Position Round Overall Franchise Fred Riley WR 6th 146 Atlanta Falcons Andy Kupp G 10th 241 New Orleans Saints Ron Linehan LB 17th 428 Pittsburgh Steelers References External links Gem of the Mountains: 1970-71 University of Idaho yearbook – 1970 football season Go Mighty Vandals – 1970 football season Official game program: Idaho vs. Washington State at Spokane – September 19, 1970 Idaho Argonaut – student newspaper – 1970 editions Idaho Category:Idaho Vandals football seasons Idaho Vandals football