Cal Football: Idaho Coach Calls Golden Bears `By Far the Best Team We've Played'
Idaho second-year coach Jason Eck, whose team beat FBS-level Nevada 33-6 on Saturday to climb to No. 5 in the FCS national rankings, said the Vandals will have to raise their level again to beat Cal.
Idaho is making its first trip to Berkeley since 1934, when both schools were members of the Pacific Coast Conference.
“Cal is by far the best team we’ve played,” Eck said during his weekly news conference on Monday.
Idaho is 2-0 for the first time since 1998 but has dropped its past 24 games against Pac-12 teams. Even so, he said his players will take the right attitude into Saturday’s 1 p.m. kickoff at Memorial Stadium.
“There’s no pressure on us in this one. We have to play our best football and we’ll probably need a little help from them to beat them,” he said.
“I’m sure they’ll be motivated coming off of a loss, wanting to get another win for their bowl aspirations. It’s going to be a challenge but it’s a great opportunity. We’ll go play loose and play hard and see what happens.”
Cal lost 14-10 to Auburn on Saturday night, leaving the Bears at 1-1.
Eck watched tape of the game and did not lose any respect for the Bears.
“Anytime you’re playing an SEC team, that’s a tough matchup,” he said. “There’s no shame in losing a four-point game to a team from Auburn.”
The Vandals have not beaten a Pac-12 team since a win over Washington State in 2000, but Eck believes his players will bring confidence to the matchup.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re down to earth because I’m think everyone’s going to be telling us how wonderful we are all week,” he said. “We’ve got to improve a lot in practice this week or we’re not going to be in position to win this game.
“I’m not too concerned about confidence going into this game — I think we’ll be confident.”
Two things seemed to impress Eck most after watching the Bears on tape.
First of all, he liked what he saw from the Cal defense, which ranks second in the Pac-12 in total defense and leads the way in pass defense.
“They’re talented. They’re really big and long on defense,” he said. “I’m concerned with some of the matchups up front — we’re going to have to play really well on the O-line.
“They’re a well-coached, fundamental defense. They’re not a team that’s a crazy blitz team. They’re just going to try to line up and kick your butt.”
He singled out inside linebacker Jackson Sirmon and said the Bears’ entire linebacking corps and secondary got his attention.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage, Eck said his Vandals’ chief concern will be running back Jaydn Ott.
“On offense, they’re very explosive. No. 1, Jaydn Ott, may be the best player we’ve played against so far,” Eck said. “He’s a really dynamic runner, great with the ball in his hands.”
Ott’s status for Saturday is not yet clear after he took a hard fall against Auburn and left the game in the third quarter.
Turnovers will be a key in the game, Eck said. He cited Cal’s defense having generated seven takeaways through two games but noted also the Bears’ offense has given away six turnovers.
“That’s something we’ve got to try to take advantage of, that they were looser with the ball,” he said. “Auburn had a lot of guys flying around — a lot of stuff that worked for Auburn might not work for us.”
Idaho is led by is sophomore quarterback Gevani McCoy, who has completed nearly 73 percent of his passes and has scramble runs of 27 and 40 yards in the past two games.
“Gevani’s a great player,” Eck said, citing his accuracy, leadership, poise and competitiveness.
‘I think he’s gotten faster and that’s a credit to coach (Caleb) Heim, the strength coach, and his work in the weight room. That’s where it’s shown up. He’s scrambling better and getting us more yards. That’s a little bit of a new gist to his game.”
“To upset an FBS team, you need great quarterback play,” Eck said.
McCoy's favorite target is senior Hayden Hatten, the preseason Big Sky Player of the Year, who has 163 career receptions and 26 touchdowns.
The Vandals’ roster features six Bay Area players, including starting offensive guard Tigana Cisse, formerly of Oakland’s McClymonds High, and safety Murvin Kenion III from Vallejo, who came to Idaho from St. Patrick’s St. Vincent High and City College of San Francisco. Kenion is doubtful to play with an ankle injury.
Wide receiver and return specialist Jermaine Jackson, a redshirt senior from Oakland who played at San Leandro High, dealt with cramping in warm conditions at Lamar (Beaumont, Texas) and Nevada (Reno).
“I’m hoping a little cooler temperatures can help him out,” Eck said. “And I know he’ll be excited to play in front of a lot of friends and family.”
Cover photo of Idaho coach Jason Eck
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
