1979 Idaho Vandals football team

Junior running back Glen White was the Vandals' leading rusher in 1979,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fcpeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4811%2C5470630|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|last=Killen|first=John|title=Prodigal son: Glen White came back to Idaho and everybody's happy he did|date=November 14, 1979|page=1C}} the best season by a UI running back in the 1970s. {{nowrap|He missed}} the opener {{nowrap|at Fresno,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TP1jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LvkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2334%2C3988019 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |title=White leads Vandals against Boise State |last=Stewart |first=Chuck|date=October 12, 1979 |page=25}}}} but gained 889 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry in the final ten games; in the game at Idaho State, he rushed for 163 yards on {{nowrap|19 carries.}} A military brat, White graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School in West Germany in 1977. All-Europe for {{nowrap|two seasons,{{cite web|url=http://hsfootballeurope.net/Old_Website/all_europe/1975.html|publisher=High School Football Europe |title=All-Europe |date=1975 |accessdate=May 21, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://hsfootballeurope.net/Old_Website/all_europe/1976.html|publisher=High School Football Europe |title=All-Europe |date=1976 |accessdate=May 21, 2018}}}} he had not been recruited by college football programs; a high school coach was a former Vandal and alerted UI head coach {{nowrap|Ed Troxel.}}

While in off-season training in February 1980, White felt weakness and underwent medical testing in Moscow {{nowrap|and Seattle.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LK0SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KfkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7008%2C1556616|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=(Washington) |title=Idaho back stricken|date=February 21, 1980|page=23}}}} Diagnosed with aplastic anemia, he battled it for several months until his death from complications on August 9 at an Oklahoma City hospital, near his parents' home at {{nowrap|Fort Sill.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PaVfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3075%2C3277851|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title=UI running back dies|date=August 10, 1980|page=2B}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oIBRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZQgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3850%2C4999650 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=UI grid star dies of anemia |date=August 11, 1980 |page=17 }}{{cite news |url=https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/argonaut/id/9733?_ga=2.21894963.92134003.1526958901-2101260250.1525192126 |work=Argonaut |location=(Moscow, Idaho) |agency=(University of Idaho) |title=White's memory lives on |date=August 26, 1980 |page=23}}}} {{nowrap|White, age 22,}} was posthumously designated an honorary team captain for all eleven games {{nowrap|in 1980,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e8heAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6178%2C1138967|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title=Vandals|date=September 18, 1980|page=4C}}}} and his Vandal teammates wore his number 32 on the left side of their helmets {{nowrap|in tribute.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z2VOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3898%2C4453273|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=White memory spurs Vandals to big victory|date=November 18, 1980|page=30}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rbZeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RzAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5501,3672989|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title= '96 Vandals will sport new look |date=April 28, 1996|page=6B}}}}

Future NFL linebacker Sam Merriman of Tucson, Arizona,{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/sammerriman/2521057/profile |work=NFL.com |title=Sam Merriman |agency=(historical players)|accessdate=September 8, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MERRISAM01 |work=Database Football |title=Sam Merriman |accessdate=September 8, 2016 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010003915/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MERRISAM01 |archive-date=October 10, 2016 }} was a standout on defense in 1979 as a true freshman.

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1979

| rankdivision = NCAA Division I-AA

| poll = AP

| timezone = Pacific

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 8

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Fresno State

| site_stadium = Ratcliffe Stadium

| site_cityst = Fresno, CA

| score = 10–30

| attend = 11,418

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kMNeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6050%2C3088958 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |last=Killen |first=John |title=Vandals |date=September 8, 1979 |page=1C}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kcNeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2263%2C3412092|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |last=Killen |first=John |title=Vandals: Fresno St. delivers 30-10 loss |date=September 9, 1979 |page=1D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 15

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Northern Arizona

| site_stadium = NAU Skydome

| site_cityst = Flagstaff, AZ

| score = 18–29

| attend = 13,056

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l6tfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4487%2C171189 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |last=Killen |first=John |title=Lumberjacks fell Vandals in wild one, 29-18 |date=September 16, 1979 |page=1D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 22

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Pacific (CA)

| site_stadium = Kibbie Dome

| site_cityst = Moscow, ID

| score = 17–13

| attend = 10,500

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nqtfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5783%2C2975605 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |last=Killen |first=John |title=Idaho nips Pacific |date=September 23, 1979 |page=1D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 29

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1979|team=Puget Sound Loggers|title=Puget Sound}}

| site_stadium = Kibbie Dome

| site_cityst = Moscow, ID

| score = 34–10

| attend =

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=patfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6186%2C5833871 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Killen |first=John |title=Vandals drown Puget Sound|date=September 30, 1979 |page=1D}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R_1jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LvkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5514%2C102127 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|last=Stewart |first=Chuck |title=Vandals erupt late to 'win for Lappano' |date=October 1, 1979 |page=17 }}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 6

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1979|team=Idaho State Bengals football|title=Idaho State}}

| site_stadium = ASISU Minidome

| site_cityst = Pocatello, ID

| score = 28–23

| attend = 8,175

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WMpeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4281%2C2621930 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|last=Emerson |first=Paul |title=Vandals stop ISU for 3rd straight win |date=October 6, 1979 |page=1D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 13

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = Boise State

| site_stadium = Kibbie Dome

| site_cityst = Moscow, ID

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 17–41

| attend = 15,500

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X8peAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5220%2C5468364 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Killen |first=John |title=End of a Vandal winning streak |date=October 14, 1979 |page=1D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 20

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| homecoming = y

| opponent = Montana

| site_stadium = Kibbie Dome

| site_cityst = Moscow, ID

| gamename = Little Brown Stein

| score = 20–17

| attend = 14,200

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XcFeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5232%2C2259674 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Emerson |first=Paul |title=Winners by a foot |date=October 21, 1979 |page=5D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 27

| time = 12:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Montana State

| opprank = 9

| site_stadium = Reno H. Sales Stadium

| site_cityst = Bozeman, MT

| score = 20–28

| attend = 7,127

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZMFeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3449%2C5191067 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Emerson |first=Paul |title=Bad day at Bozeman |date=October 28, 1979 |page=2D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 3

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| opponent = Nevada

| site_stadium = Kibbie Dome

| site_cityst = Moscow, ID

| score = 26–38

| attend = 5,500

| source = {{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cspeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5592%2C981026 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Killen |first=John |title=Vandals |date=November 3, 1979 |page=1C}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c8peAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3548%2C1367070 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Emerson |first=Paul |title=High rollers |date=November 4, 1979 |page=8D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 10

| time = 12:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Weber State

| site_stadium = Wildcat Stadium

| site_cityst = Ogden, UT

| score = 7–12

| attend = 2,323

| source = {{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ecpeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6196%2C4102401 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |title=Vandals |date=November 10, 1979 |page=3C}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=espeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3581%2C4259888 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |title=Cornered cats can kill |date=November 11, 1979 |page=4D}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 17

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1979|team=South Dakota State Jackrabbits|title=South Dakota State}}

| opprank = 8 (D-II)

| site_stadium = Kibbie Dome

| site_cityst = Moscow, ID

| score = 13–27

| attend = 6,000

| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6b1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DzEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2871%2C661500|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Killen |first=John |title=In the Dome |date=November 17, 1979 |page=1C}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6r1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DzEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4281%2C1058156 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Barrows |first=Bob |title=Hard-hitting Jackrabbits |date=November 18, 1979 |page=4D}}

}}

}}

{{American football roster/Header

| year = 1979

| team = Idaho Vandals

| teamcolors = f

| offensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=10|class=Jr|first=Jay|last=Goodenbour|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=So|first=Rob|last=Petrillo|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=3|class=So|first=Russell|last=Davis|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=12|class=Sr|first=Rocky|last=Tuttle|pos=RB|pos2=WR|note=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=30|class=Sr|first=Tim|last=Lappano|pos=RB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=32|class=Jr|first=Glen|last=White|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=33|class=So|first=Terry|last=Idler|pos=RB||inj=y|rs=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=40|class=Jr|first=Randy|last=Davenport|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Fr|first=Al|last=Swenson|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=85|class=Sr|first=Dan|last=Meyer|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=88|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Hagadone|pos=WR|pos2=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=7|class=So|first=Jack|last=Klein|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Jr|first=John|last=Palumbo|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=74|class=So|first=Bruce|last=Fery|pos=LT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Jr|first=Royal|last=Hart|pos=LT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Jr|first=Dave Monico|last=|pos=LG}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=69|class=Sr|first=Larry|last=Coombs|pos=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Jr|first=John|last=Girnt|pos=RG}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=70|class=Sr|first=Kyle|last=Riddell|pos=RT}}

| defensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=Jr|first=Larry|last=Barker|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=78|class=Sr|first=Steve|last=Parker|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=So|first=Steve|last=Nelson|pos=NG}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=75|class=Jr|first=Monty|last=Elder|pos=NG}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=71|class=Sr|first=Mark|last=McNeal|pos=DT|note=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=So|first=Jay|last=Hayes|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=50|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Hasfurther|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Sr|first=Marty|last=Marshall|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=51|class=Sr|first=Chris|last=Eads|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=52|class=Fr|first=Sam|last=Merriman|pos=LB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=83|class=Sr|first=Phil|last=Vance|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=90|class=Fr|first=Lloyd|last=Williamson|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=34|class=Jr|first=Mike|last=Keough|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=22|class=Jr|first=Ray McCanna|last=|pos=FS}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=So|first=Kelly|last=Miller|pos=SS}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Marc|last=Watts|pos=SS}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Jr|first=Rick|last=Brown|pos=SS}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Jr|first=Carlton|last=McBride|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=Sr|first=Ron|last=Jessie|pos=CB}}

| special_teams_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=2|class=So|first=Dion|last=Jergo|pos=P}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Jr|first=Chris|last=Brockman|pos=P}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Browne|pos=PK}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=6|class=So|first=Pete|last=O'Brien|pos=PK}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer

| head_coach = *Jerry Davitch (2nd year)

| asst_coach =

• Bill Tripp (OC)
• Tim Hundley (DC)

| accessdate=

}}

:{{small|Source:}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jMNeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5486%2C1000036 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|last=Killen |first=John |title=Pulls no punches |date=September 4, 1979 |page=1C}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H1tOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1856%2C810014|work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|last=Stewart |first=Chuck |title=Vandal boss stresses 'love' |date=September 5, 1979 |page=15}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kMNeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2314%2C3138329 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|title=Probable starters |date=September 8, 1979 |page=4C}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=natfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4696%2C2691010 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|title=Probable starters |date=September 22, 1979 |page=3C}}

Tackle Kyle Riddell, center Larry Coombs, defensive tackle Mark McNeal, and placekicker Pete O'Brien were named to the all-conference team.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kdIvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LPkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3895%2C1234828 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=3 Vandals honored |date=December 5, 1979 |page=30}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k9IvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LPkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3458%2C2202308 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |title=2 Vandals on stars |date=December 7, 1979 |page=28}} Second team selections were safety Ray McCanna and linebacker Sam Merriman, a true freshman.

One Vandal senior was selected in the 1980 NFL draft,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FKxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6107%2C10644525 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |title=NFL Draft: Two Palouse players go in early rounds |date=April 30, 1980 |page=1B}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FvhLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6912%2C7657689 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press|title=Patera: We got the best |date=April 30, 1980 |page=C2}} which lasted twelve rounds (333 selections).

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/argonaut/years/1979.html Idaho Argonaut] – student newspaper – 1979 editions

{{Idaho Vandals football navbox}}

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Category:Idaho Vandals football seasons

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