UI-Ohio notes: Vandals make Jace Malek honorary captain

MOSCOW – The four sacks Matt Linehan took in the first quarter of Idaho’s 45-28 loss on Thursday, and the many subsequent beatings he took that were not recorded in the stat book because he was able to squeeze off a pass before he was slammed by a defender, were trifles in comparison to the daily struggle of his fellow captain, and he knows it.

Jace Malek, a student coach specializing in offense, was diagnosed with a form of cancer known as osteosarcoma shortly before signing a National Letter of Intent with Idaho in February to play fullback. Malek was designated an honorary captain prior to Thursday’s game, UI’s Tackle Cancer game, and went to midfield with the other captains for the pregame coin toss.

“It’s a really inspiring thing to see him out there. He shows up every day and he has just a great attitude,” Linehan said before pausing to apologize for getting emotional. “He’s a great kid, man and just to see him continue to fight … it’s awesome to see him out there.”

Malek played his high school football at West Valley, where he also wrestled. Also, Idaho receiver Jacob Sannon was presented with the Mark Vaught Leadership Scholarship, which is named for the Vandals’ director of football operations who passed away in 2014. Bailey Vaught, Mark Vaught’s widow, presented the award to Sannon.

Bradley OK, Ungerer probably not

With about nine minutes left in the third quarter of Thursday’s game, UI defensive end Quinton Bradley made his fifth tackle but stayed on the field long after the ball carrier had jogged back to the offense.

A pair of trainers soon joined Bradley and eased the senior to the sideline, whey they administered a concussion test. He must have passed, because Bradley was back on the field just one series later.

That was good news for the Vandals, since Bradley finished with two of the team’s four sacks, and forced a fumble.

David Ungerer, a sophomore receiver from Pullman, was not so fortunate. Ungerer left the sideline early in the game and reappeared shortly after with a medical boot on his right foot.

When Petrino was asked after the game how Ungerer would fare, he replied, “I don’t think very good. Third play of the game, and he’s probably been having the second best camp of the receivers (other than Epps). That really hurt.”

Rehkow adds to arsenal

Ever since Austin Rehkow arrived on the UI campus, the Central Valley High graduate has been one of college football’s best punters, being nominated for national awards and All-American lists even as a freshman in 2013.

Maybe soon he’ll be known for his field goal kicking abilities, too.

Rehkow only made 11 of 19 field goal attempts in 2014 and was 2 of 7 on kicks of 40-yards or more. But he bombed his first kick of the season – a 40-yarder – through the uprights on Thursday, and made his only other attempt, a 20-yarder.

“That was very encouraging,” Petrino said.

His booming leg also helped the Vandals on kickoffs. Five of Rehkow’s six kickoffs went into the Ohio end zone for touchbacks and the other was returned for just 17 yards.