1988 Idaho Vandals football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1988 Idaho Vandals football Big Sky Conference Big Sky 11–2 7–1 Keith Gilbertson 3rd Bill Diedrick 3rd Barry Lamb 2nd Kibbie Dome Big Sky champion NCAA Division I-AA First Semifinal L 7–28 at Furman 1 The 1988 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1988 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by third-year head coach Keith Gilbertson, were members of the Big Sky Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho. The Vandals won their third conference title in four seasons, and made the I-AA playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Led by redshirt junior quarterback John Friesz, Idaho finished the regular season at 9–1 and 7–1 in the Big Sky.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PNJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4215%2C1127475 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Tatko Mike Vandals, BSU play for Big Sky title November 19, 1988 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PNJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4906%2C1293682 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Tatko Mike Idaho victory twice as nice November 20, 1988 1B https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A5QrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5932%2C2851308 Idahonian Moscow Meehan Jim No. 1-ranked Vandals Sky-high November 21, 1988 1B The Vandals scheduled only ten regular season games for the first time since 1969;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QpUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8dAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4845%2C3593943 Idahonian Moscow Jacobson Wind chill doesn't ground Vandals March 29, 1988 10A Idaho played only ten regular season games again in 1995, which was their final year in the Big Sky until they rejoined the conference in 2018. The shortened regular season was beneficial in 1988, as the Vandals played three post-season games, falling on the road in the national semifinals in Gilbertson's final game as the Vandals' head coach. He left for an assistant's position in the Pac-10 in Seattle, as offensive line coach under head coach Don James at Washington. Notable games Following a sole loss on the road to conference rival Montana, Idaho won its final seven games of the regular season. The Vandals defeated Nevada for a second consecutive year,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_HlfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uy8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4064%2C1591617 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Tatko Mike Idaho pulls off magic 32-31 victory over UNR November 6, 1988 1D only the third time in the eleven meetings since the Wolf Pack joined the Big Sky in 1979. The Vandals defeated rival Boise State for the seventh consecutive year, the seventh of twelve straight over the Broncos. Idaho entered the post-season with the top ranking in Division I-AA.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8ZMrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6050%2C3052907 Idahonian Moscow Meehan Jim Gilbertson lashes out at BSC coaches November 22, 1988 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PtJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2607%2C1967432 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho staff and wire reports Vandals enter playoffs as No. 1 November 22, 1988 2B Division I-AA playoffs For the fourth consecutive season, Idaho returned to the I-AA playoffs. In the first round, the Vandals hosted conference foe Montana, who had handed the Vandals their only defeat. The Vandals won the rematch 38–19 at the Kibbie Dome two days after Thanksgiving.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QtJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5756%2C3509125 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Shock the monkey November 27, 1988 1B https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-ZMrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6023%2C3814531 Idahonian Moscow Meehan Jim Round two: Vandals deck Grizzlies November 28, 1988 6A Idaho also hosted in the quarterfinals, and defeated Northwestern State (La.) 38–30, but lost quarterback John Friesz with an ankle sprain in the third quarter.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6vMtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hNAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5990%2C573964 Idahonian Moscow Meehan Jim Vandals: Plenty of pain and gain December 5, 1988 6A In the semifinals Idaho was eliminated 38–7 on the road at Furman in Greenville, South Carolina, ending the Vandals' season at 11–2. With their third-string quarterback and many other reserves playing against the top-ranked defense in Division I-AA, the Vandals were only down 10–0 at the half, but the score mounted to 38–0 before the Vandals scored. The Vandal defense gave up 320 rushing yards to the Paladins.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5vMtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hNAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6110%2C1454613 Idahonian Moscow Meehan Jim UI dream year ends with nightmare December 12, 1988 1B Furman went on to win the I-AA title the following week. Notable players The 1988 team included three future NFL players with lengthy pro careers: defensive end Marvin Washington, guard Mark Schlereth, and junior John Friesz, the future collegiate hall of fame quarterback was a three-year starter (1987–89). Washington was on a basketball scholarship and this was his only season of Vandal football. Schedule 1988 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee Pacific September 10 7:00 pm w y 9 1988 Portland State Vikings Portland State 2 (D-II) Kibbie Dome Moscow ID 27–18 10,100 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-idaho-defense-tough/161223723/ The Spokesman-Review Idaho defense tough when it counts September 11, 1988 December 19, 2024 Newspapers.com September 17 6:30 pm w y y 9 Pacific (CA) Pacific Memorial Stadium Stockton, CA 36–26 13,868 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-vandals-breeze-past/161223821/ The Idaho Statesman Vandals breeze past Pacific September 18, 1988 December 19, 2024 Newspapers.comhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1pMrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x9AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6157%2C2084592 Idahonian Moscow Vandals run to 2-0, ground Pacific September 19, 1988 1B September 24 12:00 pm l y 5 Montana 16 Washington–Grizzly Stadium Missoula, MT Little Brown Stein 17–26 12,009 https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-montana-hangs-on/161223886/ Great Falls Tribune Montana hangs on September 25, 1988 December 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 1 1:30 pm w y 12 Northern Arizona Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 31–20 16,100 https://www.newspapers.com/article/bonner-county-daily-bee-third-down-conve/161223973/ Bonner County Daily Bee Third-down conversions key Vandal victory October 2, 1988 December 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 8 7:00 pm w 8 Montana State Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 41–24 9,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-friesz-leads-idaho/161224088/ The Billings Gazette Friesz leads Idaho to win over Bobcats October 9, 1988 December 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 15 2:00 pm w y 7 Eastern Washington Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA 31–22 6,644 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-coeur-dalene-press-defense-helps-va/161224206/ The Coeur d'Alene Press Defense helps Vandals shoot down Eagles October 16, 1988 December 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 22 7:00 pm w 4 Weber State Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 27–24 9,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-doyle-kicks-ui-back-into/161224286/ The Times-News Doyle kicks UI back into catbird seat October 23, 1988 December 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 5 1:00 pm w y 4 Nevada Mackay Stadium Reno, NV 32–31 16,410 November 12 7:00 pm w 2 Idaho State Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID rivalry 41–7 9,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-idaho-wallops-idaho/161224346/ The Idaho Statesman Idaho wallops Idaho State November 13, 1988 December 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 19 1:30 pm w y 2 Boise State 13 Bronco Stadium Boise, ID rivalry 26–20 23,687 November 26 1:00 pm w y 1 Montana 16 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID NCAA Division I-AA First Round 38–19 5,500 December 3 1:00 pm w y 1 Northwestern State 8 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal 38–30 6,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-vandals-advance-but-lose/142086158/ The Times-News Vandals advance, but lose Friesz, Harris December 4, 1987 February 25, 2024 Newspapers.com December 10 10:30 am l y y 1 Furman 4 Paladin Stadium Greenville, SC NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal 7–38 11,645 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109788346/furman-advances-to-final/ The Charlotte Observer Furman advances to final December 11, 1988 September 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Roster 1988 Idaho Vandals f 16 Jr Lee Allen WR Fr Kasey Dunn WR 7 Sr John Jake WR So Steve Nolan QB 17 Jr John Friesz QB y 15 Fr Andy Beitia QB So Damon Daniels RB So Bruce Harris RB Fr Devon Pearce RB 94 Sr Chris Slater TE 70 Sr Greg Hale T 63 Jr Troy Wright G 66 So Chris Hoff G 52 Jr Steve Unger C 60 Sr Mark Schlereth G y Jr Todd Neu T 1 Sr Richard Carey CB 23 So Charlie Oliver CB Sr John Pleas FS Sr Brian Smith SS Sr Jerry Medved LB Sr Jim Medved LB 43 So Roger Cecil LB So Jim Routos DE 93 Jr Mike Zeller DT Jr Kord Smith DT 90 Sr Marvin Washington DE y 87 Fr Jeff Robinson DE y Jeff Robinson (American football) y Thane Doyle K Sr John Pleas P *Keith Gilbertson (3rd year) Bill Diedrick (OC) Barry Lamb (DC) Mike Cox (LB) Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PNJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4832%2C1151689 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Idaho at Boise State: probable starting lineups November 19, 1988 4Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QtJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4806%2C3299617 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Montana at Idaho: probable starting lineups November 26, 1988 4B All-conference Quarterback John Friesz and tackle Greg Hale returned to the all-conference team as unanimous selections. Also on the first team were wide receiver John Jake, center Steve Unger, defensive end Marvin Washington, and safety Brian Smith. Vandals on the second team were tackle Todd Neu, guard Mark Schlereth, cornerback Richard Carey, and linebackers Roger Cecil and Jerry Medved. Honorable mention were wide receiver Lee Allen, guard Troy Wright, running back Bruce Harris, placekicker Thayne Doyle, and defensive linemen Kord Smith, Jim Routos, and Mike Zeller.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AZQrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2373%2C4025863 Idahonian Moscow staff and wire report All-BSC: Six Vandals make first team November 30, 1988 6Ahttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RdJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3654%2C4247449 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho staff and wire reports UI's Friesz named Big Sky first-team quarterback November 30, 1988 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=07QpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rO8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2035%2C11143085 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Friesz and Hale unanimous picks November 30, 1988 D1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=60JYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5554%2C2211966 Spokane Chronicle Washington staff and wire reports Dozen Vandals land on Big Sky all-stars November 30, 1988 C1 Friesz repeated as the Big Sky's outstanding offensive player, and was a first-team Kodak All-American in Division I-AA.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4vMtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hNAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6108%2C246221 Idahonian Moscow staff and wire reports Surprised Friesz gains more awards December 2, 1988 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2ltWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ye8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6513%2C1175638 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington staff and wire reports Friesz named All-American, MVP December 2, 1988 C1 NFL draft Two Vandal seniors were selected in the 1989 NFL draft, which lasted twelve rounds (335 selections). Player Position Round Overall FranchiseMarvin Washington DE 6th 151 New York JetsMark Schlereth G 10th 263 Washington Redskins One Vandal junior was selected in the following year's draft in 1990, also twelve rounds (332 selections). Player Position Round Overall FranchiseJohn Friesz QB 6th 138 San Diego Chargers References External links Gem of the Mountains: 1989 University of Idaho yearbook – 1988 football season Idaho Argonaut – student newspaper – 1988 editions Idaho Category:Idaho Vandals football seasons Category:Big Sky Conference football champion seasons Idaho Vandals football Idaho