UI At Odds With Utah Motel Over Theft Of $800 In Property

Management at a Logan, Utah, motel has accused the University of Idaho football travel party of swiping about $800 of property during its stay prior to the Utah State game.

However, Idaho officials say they’ve found no evidence a theft occurred.

Baugh Motel management say five pillows, 16 bath towels, 12 hand towels, 10 wash cloths, one bath mat, one sheet and one blanket were taken, apparently from rooms registered to Idaho players and equipment staff personnel. UI stayed at the motel on Oct. 25th and checked out the next morning.

North Texas, which stayed at the Baugh Motel last weekend, has been accused of stealing $1,400 of property.

Motel management contacted UI officials at Utah State’s Romney Stadium during the Vandals’ 35-28 loss on Oct. 26.

“They called me at halftime and said some stuff was missing,” UI business manager Matt Kleffner said. “But there’s no way I’m going down at halftime and saying, ‘Hey coach, we’ve got some towels missing.’ And with the way the game went … I didn’t bring it up (to coach Chris Tormey) until Monday.”

“Coach Tormey is taking it very seriously and he’s talked (to the players) a couple times and told them we have to know if they took something. If so, they’re supposed to bring it to me, but nothing has shown up.”

Kleffner said the two sides agree to disagree at this point. He wondered how it was possible for items to be taken and placed in the players’ bags without being noticed.

Kleffner called hotels Idaho stayed at on other road trips this year and none reported missing items.

Nevada tries to blanket USU

Nevada - wonder where the Wolf Pack is staying in Logan this weekend? - and Utah State collide on Saturday at Romney Stadium. The winner claims the Big West’s berth to the Las Vegas Bowl.

Nevada (3-1 in league) is a 2-1/2-point favorite over USU (4-0). Idaho (1-1), which is host to New Mexico State on Saturday, can earn a piece of the title by winning its remaining three league games along with a Nevada victory on Saturday. Tiebreakers prevent UI from going to the bowl game.

Vandal notes

New Mexico State (1-8) isn’t exactly the biggest draw in I-A football. Perhaps for that reason, Idaho is offering two general admission tickets for the price of one for Saturday’s game… . Idaho reserve quarterback Brian Brennan has progressed to where he can throw a football 40 yards, but with little velocity. Brennan is recovering from shoulder surgery.

, DataTimes