1989 Idaho Vandals football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1989 Idaho Vandals football Big Sky Conference Big Sky 9–3 8–0 John L. Smith 1st Dan Cozzetto 1st Gordon Shaw 1st Kibbie Dome Big Sky champion NCAA Division I-AA First Round L 21–38 vs. Eastern Illinois T-4 The 1989 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1989 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by first-year head coach John L. Smith, 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 consecutive conference title (fourth in five years), and made the I-AA playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, under a third head coach. Led by senior All-American quarterback John Friesz, Idaho finished the regular season at 9–2 and 8–0 in the Big Sky. Hired in early January, Smith had been the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Idaho for four seasons (1982–85), all under Dennis Erickson, then went with him in the same capacity to Wyoming and Washington State.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wJUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2dAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6232%2C562832 Idahonian Moscow Meehan Jim Smith no newcomer to UI football January 3, 1989 7Ahttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KVtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vO8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5672%2C2134819 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Boling Dave Vandals make it official: Smith January 4, 1989 C1 Notable games Following two non-conference road losses to open the season at Washington State and 1989 Portland State Vikings Portland State,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FHdfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4811%2C2757128 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Sahlberg Bert Vandalized! Portland State stuns Idaho 29-20 September 10, 1989 1B https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BicuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-tAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6264%2C999486 Idahonian Moscow Vandals' season off to scary start September 11, 1989 1B the Vandals won nine straight, which included an undefeated conference record of 8–0. It was the only time in school history that the football team has posted an unblemished conference record. The Vandals defeated Montana, their only conference loss the previous season, on a Thursday night in the Kibbie Dome in late September, televised by ESPN.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mllYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9PkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6580%2C4174522 Spokane Chronicle Washington Stalwick Howie Idaho bags game Grizzlies September 29, 1989 B1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GScuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-tAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6200%2C2884492 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris Friesz, defense help UI short-circuit Griz September 29, 1989 1B Idaho beat Nevada for the third straight year,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ApUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A9EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5620%2C4022685 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris Blocked kick helps UI sack Pack October 30, 1989 1B only the fourth time in the twelve meetings since the Wolf Pack joined the Big Sky in 1979. The Vandals defeated rival Boise State for the eighth consecutive year, the eighth of twelve straight over the Broncos before a record crowd of 17,600 in the Kibbie Dome.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=prEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=odAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6054%2C2741827 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris Friesz shows he's human in UI win November 20, 1989 1B Division I-AA playoffs For the fifth consecutive season, Idaho returned to the 16-team I-AA playoffs. The Vandals, on a nine-game winning streak, hosted Eastern Illinois at home but lost 21–38. The game was played before a sparse crowd at the Kibbie Dome two days after Thanksgiving and ended the Vandals' season at 9–3.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o7EtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=odAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4317%2C3960227 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris Idaho: Long day, short playoffs November 27, 1989 1B Notable players The 1989 team included John Friesz,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wahfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2388%2C268988 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press No surprise: Friesz cops Big Sky MVP December 1, 1989 1D a future collegiate hall of fame quarterback as a three-year starter (1987–89). Friesz was the winner of the Walter Payton Award in 1989,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uJJfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-jAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2205%2C251091 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Friesz named Payton award winner December 16, 1989 1Dhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hiYuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ttAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6376%2C2658485 Idahonian Moscow UI's Friesz will receive Payton Award today December 16, 1989 1E and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 1990 NFL draft. He was in the NFL for the next decade with four teams. Schedule 1989 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee Pacific September 2 2:00 pm l y y 6 Washington State Martin Stadium Pullman, WA Battle of the Palouse 7–41 33,914 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DXdfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4195%2C668810 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Grummert Dale Cougars cruise past Idaho 41-7 September 3, 1989 1B September 9 7:00 pm l y y 6 1989 Portland State Vikings Portland State Civic Stadium Portland, OR 3 (D-II) 20–29 13,359 September 16 7:00 pm w y Sacramento State 5 (D-II) Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 45–3 9,100 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DCcuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-tAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6272%2C1734195 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris Vandals' Friesz stings Hornets September 18, 1989 1B September 23 6:00 pm w y Weber State Wildcat Stadium Ogden, UT 46–33 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FCcuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-tAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3889%2C3752753 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris 2nd half gives Smith 1st BSC win September 25, 1989 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oz5TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B4QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5817%2C4562596 Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah Hamilton Linda Wildcats save some tricks for Broncos September 25, 1989 D3 September 28 Thursday 5:00 pm w Montana Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID Little Brown Stein ESPN 30–24 13,000 October 7 3:00 pm w y 20 Northern Arizona Walkup Skydome Flagstaff, AZ 41–31 10,842 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AJUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A9EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6244%2C945193 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris UI whips, now roots for NAU October 9, 1989 1B October 14 1:00 pm w y 15 Montana State Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT 41–7 11,187 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_ZQrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A9EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6150%2C1932614 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris UI gets better, 'Cats get blasted October 16, 1989 1B October 21 1:00 pm w 14 Eastern Washington Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 41–34 12,500 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=95QrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A9EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6130%2C3015914 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris UI has best BSC start – barely October 23, 1989 1B October 28 1:00 pm w y 9 Nevada Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 42–22 15,500 November 4 6:30 pm w y 7 Idaho State Holt Arena Pocatello, ID rivalry 47–31 10,380 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qbEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=odAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6072%2C805370 Idahonian Moscow Schulte Chris Idaho can wait to celebrate November 6, 1989 1B November 18 7:00 pm w 5 Boise State 20 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID rivalry 26–21 17,600 November 25 1:00 pm l y 4 Eastern Illinois 15 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID NCAA Division I-AA First Round 21–38 6,025 Roster 1989 Idaho Vandals f Pat West QB Jr Steve Nolan QB 13 Fr Doug Nussmeier QB y y 16 Sr Lee Allen WR 17 Sr John Friesz QB y 25 So David Jackson FL 26 So Devon Pearce RB 30 So Kasey Dunn WR Sr Michael Davis FL 50 Jr Mike Rice G 54 Fr Floyd Dorry G 53 Sr Steve Unger C 62 So Shawen Smith T 63 Jr Troy Wright T 66 Jr Chris Hoff G Sr Todd Neu T 84 Jr Scott Dahlquist TE 3 Sr Brian Smith SS 22 So Kris McCall FS 23 Jr Charlie Oliver CB 33 So Terry Green CB 39 Jr Jimmy Jacobs LB 43 Jr Roger Cecil LB 58 Jr John Rust LB 59 Fr John Sirmon DT 74 So Vince Mann DT 87 Fr Jeff Robinson DE Jeff Robinson (American football) y 93 Sr Mike Zeller DE 97 Fr Brian Cockrell DE 14 So Thane Doyle K *John L. Smith (1st year) Dan Cozzetto (OC) Gordon Shaw (DC) Bobby Petrino (QB) Mike Cox (LB) Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DHdfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5422%2C523328 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Sahlberg Bert Grummert Dale Cougars heavy favorites as rivalry resumes today September 2, 1989 4Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E3dfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3812%2C2587224 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Idaho at Portland State: probable starting lineups September 9, 1989 5B All-conference Quarterback John Friesz was named to the all-conference team for a third consecutive year.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n7EtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=odAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2047%2C4231561 Idahonian Moscow Associated Press Numerous Vandals earn All-Big Sky honors November 28, 1989 6A He was joined by center Steve Unger, guard Troy Wright, wide receiver Lee Allen, defensive end Mike Zeller, linebacker Roger Cecil, and cornerback Charlie Oliver. Second team selections included wide receiver Kasey Dunn, tackles Todd Neu and Chuck Yarbro, linebacker John Rust, and safety Brian Smith.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n7EtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=odAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6009%2C4236890 Idahonian Moscow Associated Press All-Big Sky: Second team selections November 28, 1989 7A Friesz was the Big Sky's outstanding offensive player for a third straight year, repeated as a first-team Kodak All-American in Division I-AA,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xqhfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2460%2C1983843 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Friesz named Kodak I-AA All-American QB December 2, 1989 1B and won the Walter Payton Award. NFL draft One Vandal senior was selected in the 1990 NFL draft, which lasted twelve rounds (332 selections). Player Position Round Overall FranchiseJohn Friesz QB 6th 138 San Diego Chargers References External links Gem of the Mountains: 1990 University of Idaho yearbook – 1989 football season Idaho Argonaut – student newspaper – 1989 editions Idaho Category:Idaho Vandals football seasons Category:Big Sky Conference football champion seasons Idaho Vandals football Idaho