Idaho football returns to 630 The Fan Thursday night August 31 as the Vandals host the Hornets of Sacramento State of the Big Sky conference. In addition, the Paul Petrino Show will air at 7 p.m. on Tuesday August 29th here on 630 The Fan.

Idaho is coming off one of its best seasons in recent memory. The Vandals finished the year with a 9-4 overall record and were 6-2 in Sun Belt Conference games and 4-1 at home. The team won its final five games of the year, including 61-50 shootout victory over Colorado State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Quarterback Matt Linehan has earned several preseason honors, including being named to the Manning Award watch list. Linehan threw for 3,184 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior, earning second-team all-Sun Belt. He also went on to capture the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Most Valuable Player award.

Idaho football placed three players on preseason all-Sun Belt Conference teams. Defensive lineman Aikeem Coleman, who was the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year last year, and offensive lineman Jordan Rose took home first team honors, while linebacker Tony Lashley earned second team accolades. Coleman had eight sacks last year and has also been named to the Nagurski Award watch list this offseason.

Paul Petrino is in his fifth season as Idaho's head coach. Petrino was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year last season after guiding the Vandals to their first bowl appearance since 2009. After winning just one game in each of his first two seasons, Petrino's team posted a 4-8 mark in 2015 before winning nine games a year ago.

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