After the departure of four-year starter QB Ken Hobart following the 1983 season, Idaho struggled with injuries and inexperience, falling to a 2–5 record before winning their last four. Led by quarterbacks Scott Linehan (redshirt sophomore) and Rick Sloan (junior, transfer from San Jose State), the Vandals finished 6–5 in the regular season and 4–3 in the Big Sky.[1]
Although the 1984 season was less successful than the previous two, it marked the first time in nearly eight decades that the Vandals had three consecutive winning seasons in football; it was last accomplished in 1905.[2]
Erickson's 23 wins in three seasons made him the winningest head coach in Vandal history, and he added nine more the nextyear. Defensive coordinator John L. Smith became the Vandals' head coach in 1989 and posted 53 wins in sixseasons.
Notable games
The Vandals defeated Oregon State of the Pac-1041–22 in Moscow,[3] but lost to upstart independent Eastern Washington in Spokane in the inaugural Governors' Cup,[4][5] (EWU joined the Big Sky in 1987).[6][7]Nevada continued its dominance over the Vandals, winning its sixth straight since joining the conference in 1979.[8][9][10] Double-digit leads in the second half were squandered in both disappointing home losses to Montana State and Weber State.[1][11]
Idaho defeated rivalBoise State for the third consecutive year, a streak that extended to twelve straight in 1993. The 1984 game was the most lopsided to date, with the Vandals recording a 37–0 shutout on the road at Bronco Stadium in the season finale.[12] In its seventeen years competing as a four-year school, Boise State had neither been shut out nor lost by more than 35 points.[13] Senior Tim McMonigle wrapped up his third year as placekicker with thirteen points (3 FG, 4 PAT) to become the Vandals' all-time leading scorer at 224 points, passing 1960s fullback Ray McDonald.[13]
Division I-AA playoffs
Idaho missed the I-AA playoffs again, but returned in ten of the next eleven seasons, then departed for the Big West Conference after the 1995 season. In 1984, the mercurial Montana State Bobcats won the Big Sky title and the I-AA national title (MSU was 1–10 in 1983, 12–2 in 1984, 2–9 in 1985). The Bobcats were the only selection from the West in the 12-team playoffs. Idaho closed out the decade with conference titles in 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989 (and runner-up in 1986), not missing the I-AA playoffs until 1991.
Wide receiver Eric Yarber, center Matt Watson, and cornerback Calvin Loveall were named to the Big Sky all-conference team.[33][34][35] Vandals on the second team were guard Lance West, tight end Scott Auker, running back Mike Shill, defensive end Sam Manoa, and placekicker Tim McMonigle.[33][35] Loveall played in the USFL in the spring of 1985 with the Denver Gold,[36] and later in the CFL and NFL.
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