Idaho turns extra practice days into third-down and red-zone prep for Cal Poly
The Vandals have moved from broad fall-camp work to a smaller set of game situations before Friday's opener. Idaho is using Sunday and Tuesday practices to repeat its calls, clean up man coverage, and make sure players understand why each situation-specific call is being made.
AUG 23, 2026
01 · The NewsWhat Happened
Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. said Saturday that the Vandals are using two extra practice days to prepare for Friday's season opener against Cal Poly. The work has shifted toward third-down and low-red-zone situations, with offensive, defensive, and special-teams units drilling specific calls against scout looks. Ford said Idaho will repeat similar work Sunday and Tuesday. The No. 1 defense received difficult looks from defensive coordinator Lee Stalker, with Ford also communicating on that side of the field. Ford said Idaho needed to clean up parts of its man coverage while players continued learning the game plan.