1982 Idaho Vandals football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1982 Idaho Vandals football Big Sky Conference Big Sky 9–4 5–2 Dennis Erickson 1st Keith Gilbertson 1st John L. Smith 1st Ken Hobart Sam Merriman Steve Semanhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8IJfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2541%2C6153247 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Merriman, Seman, Hobart Vandal captains August 31, 1982 3Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UVVOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2u4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7200%2C78158 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Idaho tabs captains, coach lauds players September 1, 1982 16 Kibbie Dome NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal L 30–38 at Eastern Kentucky The 1982 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by first-year head coach Dennis Erickson,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GLQSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YvkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2204%2C3454408 Spokane Chronicle Washington Van Sickel Charlie Idaho to head 'em off at pass March 27, 1982 12 were members of the Big Sky Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho. Led by junior quarterback Ken Hobart, the Vandals finished 8–3 in the regular season and 5–2 in the Big Sky in a three-way tie for first, and qualified for the post-season for the first time in school history. Idaho defeated rival Boise State for the first time in six years,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f79eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=STEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4069%2C5262130 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals' destiny lies in outcome of BSU game October 30, 1982 3Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gL9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=STEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4106%2C5523383 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals end drought with 24–17 win over BSU October 31, 1982 1B the first of twelve straight over the Broncos. The Vandals also defeated Idaho State, the defending conference and national champions; the consecutive intrastate games were both on the road.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z6pfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4115%2C1648035 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals: Idaho championship can be theirs today November 6, 1982 3Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0KpfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2490%2C1941724 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Idaho escapes with 20-17 win over Bengals November 7, 1982 1C Idaho rebounded from the previous season, in which they were preseason favorites, but finished 3–8 overall and winless in conference play under fourth-year head coach Jerry Davitch. The 1981 team lost their final six games, finishing with a fifth consecutive loss to Boise State. The Vandals won all six home games in 1982 and finished at 9–4 overall. The nine victories were the most in school history,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ab1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4547%2C4373599 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Dennis Erickson put Idaho on the road to success – and he plans more December 12, 1982 1B later surpassed only by the 1988 and 1993 teams, both of which won eleven games and reached the I-AA semifinals.CFB Data Warehouse https://web.archive.org/web/20100216083526/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/wac/idaho/yearly_totals.php 2010-02-16 – Idaho – yearly totals Division I-AA playoffs After recent Big Sky domination by Boise State, Idaho State, and Nevada, the 1982 season finished with three other teams at the top at 5–2; Idaho, Montana, and Montana State. After Idaho finished the regular season with a conference loss at Reno,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dahfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5688%2C1604739 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul The one for all the marbles may be the toughest one yet November 20, 1982 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dqhfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3778%2C1900877 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Wolf Pack bumps off Idaho, 25-16 November 21, 1982 1B Montana was declared the conference champion as it defeated the other two. (Montana State was the odd team out, as the Bobcats lost to both Montana and Idaho.) Montana and Idaho were both selected for the first time to participate in the Division I-AA playoffs, newly expanded to twelve teams for the fifth season of I-AA. Although the Grizzlies (6–5, 5–2) were the conference champions due to their 40–16 win over Idaho in Missoula in mid-October,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cr9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=STEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4327%2C402444 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Idaho goes dull, loses at Montana October 17, 1982 1C the Vandals were chosen by the NCAA to host the late November game, primarily due to their indoor stadium.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zAQwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ze4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6934%2C3256572 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Surprise! Vandal gridders headed for playoffs November 22, 1982 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d6hfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4686%2C2389903 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals' cloud develops a silver lining with Division I-AA berth November 22, 1982 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eKhfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2951%2C2636853 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals' joy brings ire elsewhere November 23, 1982 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0QQwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ze4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1937%2C5426265 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Vandals and Grizzlies deserve each other November 27, 1982 19https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fKhfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3251%2C3985985 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Both Idaho and Montana want a shot at No. 1 November 27, 1982 C1 Idaho won the rematch 21–7, played before a sparse afternoon crowd in Moscow two days after Thanksgiving, and advanced to the quarterfinals on the road against eventual champion Eastern Kentucky.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fahfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4194%2C4187110 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Case for the defense: Idaho 21-7 Ramsdell Paul November 28, 1982 B1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-bxeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5217%2C1327186 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Vandals in the playoffs Ramsdell Paul December 4, 1982 B1 EKU was a I-AA finalist the previous three seasons; they won the title in 1979, but lost to Big Sky champions Boise State in 1980 and Idaho State in 1981. Down by a large margin early, Idaho mounted a comeback and nearly became the third team from the state to defeat EKU in the playoffs in as many years. The Vandals were well into EKU territory with 31 seconds remaining, but came up 8 points short after a controversial interception.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-rxeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4182%2C1633153 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Controversial EKU interception ends Idaho hopes December 5, 1982 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-7xeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4932%2C2109062 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul An unsavory end to a successful season December 6, 1982 1B Notable players Linebacker Sam Merriman from Tucsonhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fKhfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3251%2C3985985 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Lucky Sam Merriman Ramsdell Paul November 27, 1982 1C was selected in the seventh round (177th overall) of the 1983 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YflLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pu4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5740%2C6274537 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Seahawks grab UI's Merriman; LA Rams select WSU's Casper April 27, 1983 C3 A four-year starter for the Vandals, he played five seasons with Seattle, primarily on special teams.http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MERRISAM01 Database Football Sam Merriman September 9, 2016 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20161010003915/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MERRISAM01 October 10, 2016 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YFhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=--4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6619%2C1254133 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Weaver Dan Low in the draft, high on the team July 18, 1984 15https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gZUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B9EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2173%2C2658686 Idahonian Moscow Jacobson Bryan Like riding a bike December 20, 1986 25 A serious knee injury in a 1988 preseason game ended his playing career.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hllWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0e8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3294%2C7137755 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Seahawks lose Merriman for year August 13, 1988 B1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=55MrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x9AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6095%2C1460297 Idahonian Moscow Pierce Oliver Merriman isn't merry on sidelines September 14, 1988 9Ahttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g7syAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zu8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1477%2C2091417 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Seahawks cut Merriman, two others April 18, 1989 C3 Junior quarterback Ken Hobart led the Vandals to an 8–3 record as a senior in 1983, then played a season in the USFL with Jacksonville in 1984 and several in the CFL.http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/oct/06/a-family-man-now/ Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Wright Josh Ken Hobart – A family man now October 6, 2009 September 9, 2016 Coaches The 1982 season was the first as a collegiate head coach for Dennis Erickson, age 35, who was previously the offensive coordinator at San Jose State under Jack Elway.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GcxeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1877%2C546995 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Erickson fills four vacancies December 17, 1981 1B He had coached in Moscow in 1974 and 1975, as offensive coordinator under Ed Troxel. Both of Erickson's coordinators for the 1982 Vandals were future head coaches at Idaho and other programs. Keith Gilbertson left after the 1982 season for Los Angeles of the new USFL, returned to Idaho in 1985, and was promoted after the season when Erickson left for Wyoming. Defensive coordinator John L. Smith followed Erickson to Wyoming in 1986 and Washington State in 1987. Smith returned to the Vandals in January 1989 to succeed Gilbertson, who had left a month before to coach the offensive line for the Washington Huskies under Don James. Erickson left WSU for Miami in early March. Alumnus Chris Tormey was the Vandals' defensive line coach in 1982 and 1983; he left for Washington, then returned in 1995 as head coach for five seasons. Schedule 1982 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee Pacific September 11 6:30 pm l y y Washington State Joe Albi Stadium Spokane, WA Battle of the Palouse 14–34 25,321 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WlVOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2u4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6603%2C4372794 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Devlin Vince 'Battle of Palouse' returns September 11, 1982 17https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1bheAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5678%2C4066536 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob The Battle of the Palouse September 11, 1982 1Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W1VOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2u4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6844%2C4649251 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Devlin Vince Cougs rule the Palouse September 12, 1982 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1rheAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4563%2C4577560 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob WSU's Matthews snaps record (and Idaho) 34-14 September 12, 1982 1D September 18 7:30 pm w y Pacific (CA) Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 36–17 10,500 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Eu4vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5e4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2294%2C1028213 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Tigers, Vandals prepare for aerial fireworks September 18, 1982 15https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wpdfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3142%2C913568 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Pacific won't be surprised by aerial attack September 18, 1982 1Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w5dfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4635%2C1272014 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Idaho tramples Pacific for season's first victory, 36-17 September 19, 1982 1C September 25 7:30 pm w y 1982 Portland State Vikings Portland State Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 56–0 11,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zJdfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5827%2C4086740 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals blow out PSU in 56-0 laugher September 26, 1982 1C October 2 1:30 pm w y Weber State Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 35–34 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-vandals-edge-weber/158688741/ The Montana Standard Vandals edge Weber, 35–34 October 3, 1982 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 9 11:30 am w y y 15 Northern Iowa UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 38–13 11,438 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-hobart-shatters-rec/158688820/ The Spokesman-Review Hobart shatters records in 38–13 romp October 10, 1982 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 16 1:00 pm l y 14 Montana Dornblaser Field Missoula, MT Little Brown Stein 16–40 11,033 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cb9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=STEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2106%2C149705 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul High-flying Idaho to take on growling Grizzlies October 16, 1982 3C October 23 7:30 pm w Montana State 13 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 36–20 13,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eL9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=STEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2842%2C2795627 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Idaho vs. MSU: Vandals hope Bobcats don't run through them October 23, 1982 1Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eb9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=STEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2937%2C3033004 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals pop Bobcats' league-leading bubble October 24, 1982 1B October 30 6:00 pm w y 17 Boise State Bronco Stadium Boise, ID rivalry 24–17 21,415 November 6 6:30 pm w y 14 Idaho State ASISU Minidome Pocatello, ID rivalry 20–17 11,010 November 13 7:30 pm w 10 Northern Arizona Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 55–37 13,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JPhLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=se4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2203%2C5619059 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Vandals face biggest battle November 13, 1982 17https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1qpfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4504%2C3872902 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals have a shot at Big Sky title tonight November 13, 1982 1Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=16pfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4209%2C4055943 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Ramsdell Paul Vandals overcome Axers in a wild one, 55-37 November 14, 1982 1B November 20 1:00 pm l y 9 Nevada Mackay Stadium Reno, NV 16–25 7,333 November 27 1:30 pm w 11 Montana 19 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID NCAA Division I-AA First Round 21–7 8,000 December 4 5:12 pm l y y 11 Eastern Kentucky 1 Hanger Field Richmond, KY NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal WTBS 30–38 10,893 NCAA Statistics; Schedule & Results (Idaho) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/132544 National Collegiate Athletic Association November 8, 2024 Roster 1982 Idaho Vandals f 9 Jr Ken Hobart QB y C 10 Fr Scott Linehan QB y 11 Jr Sean Knudsen QB 12 Fr Scott Auker TE 34 Jr Kerry Hickey RB 35 Sr Wally Jones RB 45 Sr Tim Payne RB 55 So Lance West G 60 Jr Shawn Jackson C 62 Sr Steve Seman G y y C 63 Sr Dave Frohnen T 76 Jr Greg Diehl T 77 Sr Dave Thorsen G 87 Jr Kurt Vestman TE 88 Sr Vic Wallace WR 89 Jr Ron Whittenburg WR 1 So Paul Pitre FS 2 So Calvin Loveall FS CB Jr Myron Bishop CB 33 Jr John Crout OLB 36 Sr Dean Davis CB 42 Jr Boyce Bailey SS 44 Jr Frank Moreno RDT 47 Jr Darby Lewis ILB 52 Sr Sam Merriman ILB y C 53 Jr Jay Wolf RDT y 69 Jr Charlie Coffin NG y Jerry Nelson DT y 78 Sr Kevin Auxier LDT 79 Sr Paul Griffin NG 85 Sr John Fortner OLB 90 Sr Lloyd Williamson OLB 3 So Tim McMonigle K Fr Pat Ball P 88 Sr Vic Wallace KR,PR 2 So Calvin Loveall KR,PR *Dennis Erickson (1st year) Keith Gilbertson (OC) John L. Smith (DC) Chris Tormey (DL) Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1bheAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5809%2C4088714 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Starting line-ups September 11, 1982 3Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0QQwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ze4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1770%2C5425034 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Probable starters November 27, 1982 19https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zwQwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ze4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5842%2C4313853 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Idaho's defense led by 'survivors' November 25, 1982 34 All-conference Quarterback Ken Hobart, tight end Kurt Vestman, wide receiver Vic Wallace, and linebacker Sam Merriman were named to the Big Sky all-conference team;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=97xeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4201%2C629811 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho All-Big Sky December 2, 1982 1B Hobart was the league's outstanding offensive player (and repeated in 1983).https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6IBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2071%2C811656 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Hobart grabs conference's top honor December 3, 1983 1B Vandals named to the second team were wide receiver Ron Whittenburg, nose guard Paul Griffin, linebacker John Fortner, and safety Boyce Bailey. NFL draft One Vandal senior was selected in the 1983 NFL draft, which lasted 12 rounds (335 selections). Player Position Round Overall Franchise Sam Merriman LB 7th 177 Seattle Seahawks References External links Gem of the Mountains: 1983 University of Idaho yearbook – 1982 football season Idaho Argonaut – student newspaper – 1982 editions Idaho Category:Idaho Vandals football seasons Category:Big Sky Conference football champion seasons Idaho Vandals football Idaho