VANDAL NOTES: Vandals' quarterback job back up for grabs at practice

MOSCOW - Following what was easily the Vandals' most dismal offensive output of the season in a 42-7 loss to BYU on Saturday, UI coach Robb Akey's quarterback carousel is spinning again in practice this week.

Sophomore quarterback Taylor Davis has started the last two games, but struggled mightily against BYU. Davis finished 5-for-12 for minus-6 yards and seemed flummoxed by the speedy Cougar defense from the get-go.

He was relieved in the fourth quarter by former starting QB Brian Reader. The senior provided a little bit of a spark, driving the Vandals to the BYU 11-yard line after completing a 26-yard pass to Dan Micheletti, but then threw a pick at the goal line on the very next play.

In limited action, Reader completed 6 of 9 passes for 56 yards.

"I want to see how they handle things today and tomorrow," Akey said. "We did this a couple weeks ago coming out of the Hawaii game. (Let's) see how they handle the scenario coming out of last week into this game. The competitive situations, the decision making - some things like that."

Both Davis and Reader are getting time with the first-teamers this week and Akey anticipates that he will have seen enough from both quarterbacks to decide on a starter prior to the Vandals' final home game of the season against Utah State at 2 p.m. Saturday.

"Whichever guy that is, I expect him to lead us to a victory this weekend," Akey said.

MVP? - When people think of most valuable players on a football team, surely visions of statuesque, barrel-armed quarterbacks or spinning, juking running backs are the first to spring to mind.

But what about the punter? The guy who coaches hate to see take the field for their team. The guy that makes a living on offenses that come up short.

Considering the Vandals' struggles in nearly every facet of offense this season, it's a good thing they have a guy like Bobby Cowan.

Cowan, a junior from Vancouver, Wash., has not only made an argument for team MVP this season, but he also has a pretty strong case as the top punter in the country.

"I want to put confidence in the coaches and put confidence in the team," Cowan said. "I go out every time and I want to do my job. It's nice that they can rely on me and I can go get it done."

Through 10 games, Cowan is doing just that as he leads the country in multiple categories heading into the home stretch.

The Ray Guy award semifinalist is tops in punts (79), distance (3,713 yards) and average yards per punt (47.0) for players who have kicked a minimum of 52 times.

Additionally, Cowan is also the holder for place-kicker Trey Farquhar, who has also put together another strong year.

Throughout practice, the pair are nearly inseparable. While the rest of the team practices drills and situational plays, Cowan and Farquhar head off to work on their respective duties and are often seen chatting it up.

"It's very good to see those guys and the way they are with each other," Akey said. "They're very supportive of each other and I feel very fortunate that we got two guys that I think are very talented players. Those are two positions that you rely on tremendously."

SENIOR DAY GOODBYES - Twenty senior Vandals will charge the turf of the Kibbie Dome for the final time when Idaho takes on the Aggies this weekend.

In alphabetical order, those putting on the black jerseys for the final time are: Quin Ashley, Kama Bailey, Orofino's Tyler Brooks, Elliott Chapman, Matt Cleveland, Mike Cosgrove, Andre Ferguson, Matthew Harvey, Armauni Johnson, Homer Mauga, Princeton McCarty, John McKinley, Tyrone Novikoff, Reader, TreShawn Robinson, Charles Smith Jr., Korey Toomer, Sam Tupua, Landon Weaver, and Derek Wieting.

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Warzocha may be contacted at twarzocha@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2260.