1985 Idaho Vandals football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1985 Idaho Vandals football Big Sky Conference Big Sky 9–3 6–1 Dennis Erickson 4th Keith Gilbertson 2nd John L. Smith 4th 3–4 Kibbie Dome Big Sky champion NCAA Division I-AA First Round L 38–42 vs. Eastern Washington 5 The 1985 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1985 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by fourth-year head coach Dennis Erickson, 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 first outright conference title since 1971 (the 1982 team tied for the title, but lost the head-to-head tiebreaker to Montana). Led by quarterbacks Scott Linehan and Rick Sloan,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7oxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WC8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3471%2C3820336 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Idaho rallies back to trap Wolf Pack, 25-21 September 29, 1985 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VVlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MO8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2604%2C2391475 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington More broken bones today in Moscow? Boling Dave October 19, 1985 B1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g2tfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6i4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3636%2C2641262 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Idaho's Sloan not just a passing fancy October 25, 1985 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fw0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M-8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2064%2C8888811 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Poetic justice? Sloan takes over Boling Dave November 14, 1985 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LQ1XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ne8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2326%2C4596993 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Erickson: 'It's our biggest game ever' Boling Dave November 23, 1985 C4 Idaho finished the regular season at 9–2 and 6–1 in the Big Sky.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=t2lfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3C4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3852%2C2353957 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Idaho reigns as Big Sky Conference champs November 24, 1985 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NA1XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ne8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6651%2C9151780 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Beginning could be the end in playoff rematch Boling Dave November 23, 1985 C1 The 1985 season marked the first time that the Vandal football program had four consecutive winning seasons; this streak extended to fifteen in 1996.College Football Data Warehouse https://web.archive.org/web/20120303013306/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/wac/idaho/yearly_totals.php 2012-03-03 – Idaho Vandals – yearly totals – accessed 2011-10-02 Notable games The Vandals opened the season with a fifteen-point loss at Oregon State in Corvallis, whom they had defeated the year before in Moscow.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NdszAAAAIBAJ&sjid=duEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6214%2C1685569 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Cawood Neil Beavers do Vandalizing this time September 8, 1985 1B After six straight losses to Nevada, Idaho recorded its first conference victory over the Wolf Pack, who joined the Big Sky in 1979. The Vandals defeated rival Boise State for the fourth consecutive year, the fourth of twelve straight over the Broncos, and were ranked fifth in the final I-AA poll, released prior to the postseason.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uWlfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3C4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3501%2C3292094 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Idaho fifth in final I-AA poll November 26, 1985 2B A key one-point road loss at Idaho State in late October prevented the Vandals from attaining an important first round bye in the I-AA playoffs.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hWtfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6i4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4109%2C3223386 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Katsilometes George 'Hail Mary' helps Idaho State nip Idaho October 27, 1985 1C Division I-AA playoffs After a two-season absence, Idaho returned to the twelve-team I-AA playoffs, hosting independent Eastern Washington, whom they had defeated four weeks earlier by three touchdowns.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vWlfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3C4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2655%2C4449556 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Idaho begins 'second season' today looking for a repeat November 30, 1985 6B The eleventh-ranked Eagles won the rematch, a back-and-forth contest before a sparse crowd at the Kibbie Dome, two days after Thanksgiving.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H3NfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ni8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3878%2C96076 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Vandalized!: Late score helps Eastern turn Idaho upside down, 42-38 December 1, 1985 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CdxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DeEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3263%2C155924 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Idaho ousted in Division I-AA December 1, 1985 7Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IHNfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ni8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2962%2C595809 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Vandals reflect on tough loss...and 'the play' December 2, 1985 1B (EWU joined the Big Sky in 1987, raising league membership to nine.) For the following season in 1986, the I-AA playoffs expanded from 12 to 16 teams, which eliminated the bye week for the top four seeds. Notable players The 1985 team included two future NFL head coaches: quarterback Scott Linehan and offensive lineman Tom Cable. Future NFL players with lengthy pro careers included guard Mark Schlereth (redshirt freshman starting on defense this season) and true freshman John Friesz, a future collegiate hall of fame quarterback as a three-year starter (1987–89), but inactive in 1985 as a redshirt. Coaches This was the fourth and final season at Idaho for head coach Dennis Erickson and defensive coordinator John L. Smith.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d8cSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6961%2C1151505 Spokane Chronicle Washington Boling Dave Erickson leaves Idaho with winning tradition December 5, 1985 C2 Offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson returned to that position on a volunteer basis after three spring seasons in the USFL with the L.A. Express. Days after Erickson's early December departure for Wyoming,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dMcSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6696%2C79565 Spokane Chronicle Washington Boling Dave Erickson leaves Idaho for Wyoming December 2, 1985 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IXNfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ni8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5680%2C809708 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho staff and wire reports No surprises: Erickson's a Wyoming Cowboy December 3, 1985 1B Gilbertson was promoted to head coach for 1986.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JHNfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ni8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3786%2C1647466 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Idaho tabs Gilbertson as new football coach December 6, 1985 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eMcSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6976%2C1272903 Spokane Chronicle Washington Boling Dave Idaho passes the football to Gilbertson December 6, 1985 C1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JXNfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ni8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4033%2C1968336 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Barrows Bob Gilbertson promises to keep Idaho in the air December 7, 1985 1B Smith followed Erickson to Laramie and back to the Palouse at Washington State in 1987, then returned to the Vandals in January 1989. He succeeded Gilbertson,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wJUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2dAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6232,562832 Idahonian Moscow Meehan Jim Smith: no newcomer to UI football January 3, 1989 7A who left after three seasons for an assistant's position in Seattle, as offensive line coach under head coach Don James at Washington. Schedule 1985 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee Pacific September 7 6:00 pm l y y Oregon State Parker Stadium Corvallis, OR 28–43 26,154 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-osus-wilhelm-bynum/159536219/ The Sunday Oregonian OSU's Wilhelm-Bynum duo vandalizes Idaho September 8, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com September 14 7:00 pm w y 1985 Mankato State Mavericks Mankato State Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 46–7 9,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-idaho-drills-mankato-st/159536300/ The Times-News Idaho drills Mankato St. September 15, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com September 21 6:30 pm w y Northern Arizona Walkup Skydome Flagstaff, AZ 27–3 11,885 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-idaho-shows-it-can/159536374/ The Spokesman-Review Idaho shows it can play defense, too September 22, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com September 28 1:00 pm w y 10 Nevada 2 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 25–21 15,600 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-idaho-tops-nevadar/159535704/ The Montana Standard Idaho tops Nevada–Reno September 29, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com October 5 6:00 pm w y y 6 1985 Portland State Vikings football Portland State Civic Stadium Portland, OR 51–17 6,286 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-inter-lake-vandals-trample-psu/159536434/ The Daily Inter Lake Vandals trample PSU Vikes October 6, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com October 12 6:00 pm w y 3 Weber State Wildcat Stadium Ogden, UT 31–28 12,894 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-idaho-de-feets-web/159536502/ The Salt Lake Tribune Idaho De-Feets Weber, 31–28 October 13, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com October 19 7:00 pm w 4 Montana Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID rivalry 38–0 11,300 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-vandals-blank-grizz/159534661/ The Montana Standard Vandals blank Grizzlies October 20, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com October 26 6:30 pm l y 4 Idaho State ASISU MiniDome Pocatello, ID rivalry 37–38 11,422 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-isu-upsets-idaho-on/159536608/ The Idaho Statesman ISU upsets Idaho on late 76-yard TD throw 38–37 October 27, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com November 2 7:00 pm w y 8 Eastern Washington 10 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 42–21 15,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-vandals-keep-playoff-hope/159536684/ The Times-News Vandals keep playoff hopes, top Eagles 42–21 November 3, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com November 9 12:00 pm w y 6 Montana State Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT 34–0 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-inter-lake-vandals-pummel-bobc/159534283/ The Daily Inter Lake Vandals pummel Bobcats 32–0 November 10, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com November 23 1:00 pm w 5 Boise State 19 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID rivalry 44–27 15,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-vandals-humiliate-broncos/159536899/ The Times-News Vandals humiliate Broncos, 44–27 November 24, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com November 30 3:00 pm l y 5 Eastern Washington 11 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID NCAA Division I-AA First Round 38–42 6,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-ewu-nips-idaho-in-i/159536737/ The Billings Gazette EWU nips Idaho in I-AA playoffs December 1, 1985 November 22, 2024 Newspapers.com College Football Data Warehouse https://web.archive.org/web/20100216083951/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/wac/idaho/yearly_results.php?year=1985 2010-02-16 – Idaho 1985–89 – accessed 2010-05-14 Roster 1985 Idaho Vandals f 1 Sr Eric Yarber WR y 10 Jr Scott Linehan QB y 12 Sr Scott Auker TE 14 Sr Rick Sloan QB 15 Jr Darel Tracy QB 17 Fr John Friesz QB y y 19 Jr Freddie Lloyd RB Fr Todd Hoiness RB Fr Greg Dial RB Sr Kevin Bailey RB 33 Jr Brant Bengen WR Sr Tom Cable G y 64 Sr Joe Smiley G 68 Sr Matt Watson C 75 Sr Mark Caldwell T 77 Sr Dave Thorsen T Jr Ike Young CB 16 Jr Mark Tidd FS 29 So Virgil Paulson CB So Dan McCanna SS Sr Mike Johnston CB 38 Jr Tom Hennessey LB Jr Nolan Harper LB 45 Jr Mike Cox LB y Mike Cox (American football coach) Jr Dave Parker LB 35 Jr Shawn Nilsson LB 60 Fr Mark Schlereth NG y Sr Joe Taibi DT Sr John Andrews DT Fr Brian Decicio K 7 Jr Darin Magnuson P Johnn Pleas P *Dennis Erickson (4th year) Keith Gilbertson (OC) John L. Smith (DC) Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=54xfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WC8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3518%2C1601623 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Starting line-ups September 21, 1985 3Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7YxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WC8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5229%2C3643688 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Starting line-ups September 28, 1985 3Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fWtfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6i4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4741%2C1056220 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Starting line-ups October 19, 1985 4Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hGtfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6i4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4219%2C2993390 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Starting line-ups October 26, 1985 3Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tmlfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3C4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2391%2C2101751 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Starting line-ups November 23, 1985 4B All-conference Wide receiver Eric Yarber and junior linebacker Tom Hennessey were the offensive and defensive players of the year in the Big Sky,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I3NfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ni8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=1998%2C1344939 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Conference honors Hennessey, Yarber December 5, 1985 4Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kw1XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ne8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6973%2C3517719 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Boling Dave He's Idaho's Repo Man November 21, 1985 C4 respectively, and were joined on the all-conference team by junior safety Mark Tidd (unanimous), senior tackle Mark Caldwell, and senior defensive tackle John Andrews.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=InNfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ni8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4000%2C1005778 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Vandals' Yarber, Caldwell on Big Sky first team December 4, 1985 4Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I3NfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ni8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4927%2C1344512 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Nevada-Reno dominates Big Sky defensive team December 5, 1985 4Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d8cSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6555%2C1147455 Spokane Chronicle Washington Kodak names Yarber, Ralph to A-A teams December 5, 1985 C1 Six Vandals, all on offense, were on the second team: quarterback Rick Sloan, tight end Scott Auker, wide receiver Brant Bengen, center Matt Watson, and guards Tom Cable and Joe Smiley. Honorable mention went to tackle Dave Thorsen and running back Todd Hoiness. Yarber was named to the Kodak All-American team for Division I-AA. References External links Gem of the Mountains: 1986 University of Idaho yearbook – 1985 football season Idaho Argonaut – student newspaper – 1985 editions Idaho Category:Idaho Vandals football seasons Category:Big Sky Conference football champion seasons Idaho Vandals football Idaho