Idaho Vandals Prepare for Black vs. Gold Spring Game Showdown at Kibbie Dome in Moscow
Vandals to Take the Field Friday Night in Full-Contact Scrimmage
The University of Idaho Vandals football program will put months of spring practice on display Friday evening when the team hosts its annual Black vs. Gold spring game at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome in Moscow. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the event is free and open to the public.
The scrimmage will feature a full-contact format, pitting the offense against the defense across four 12-minute quarters played with a running clock. The clock will stop only for possession changes to simulate media timeouts, while halftime will be an eight-minute break. Following the game, players will remain on the field to sign autographs for fans.
For Moscow-area football supporters and Vandal faithful across Latah County, the spring game represents the first opportunity to see the 2026 roster in a competitive setting before fall camp begins.
Coach Ford Emphasizes Health, Execution, and Team Chemistry
Idaho head coach Thomas Ford Jr. has been direct about his primary concern heading into Friday’s contest. “Stay healthy,” Ford said, adding that beyond that, he wants to see cleaner operation across the board. “Just better operation, cleaner operation on offense, just making sure that we’re not having procedural penalties (and that) we’re not lining up incorrectly. And then defensively, handling tempo right. We’re going to see tempo all year in this league. And so just being able to get aligned correctly, and once you can get aligned, you can go play football,” Ford said.
The team has now logged 12 spring practices, and by Ford’s account the energy surrounding the group has been one of the most encouraging signs of the entire camp. “I think the big thing I’ve learned about this team is they really enjoy being with each other,” Ford said. “This is a group (where) it doesn’t matter for practice at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., these guys are ready to go.”
Ford also noted improved maturity within the roster. “I think we’ve really improved with our maturity, understanding that, yes, we’re competing against each other every single day and it’s going to get combative, but we’re also on the same team,” he said. “The Vandals aren’t on the Vandals’ schedule this year, so I think our guys are just much more mature, playing with much more poise.”
Senior linebacker Cruz Hepburn, a Lewiston graduate, echoed the theme of cleaner execution entering game day. “Just execution and coming out, having less (missed assignments) on the day, less technique minuses, and just really honing in on our technique and being really sound in that aspect,” Hepburn said.
Key Players and Matchups to Watch
While the defense held the upper hand for much of spring camp, the offense has stepped up considerably over the last two weeks. On the defensive side, the defensive line and secondary have drawn the most praise. Senior transfer twin brothers Jamarion and Javen Augustus, along with early enrollee freshman Nui Meyers, are names to watch along the defensive front. Safeties Tim Jackson and Khaled Rawls have generated multiple turnovers in practice and could make an impact during the scrimmage.
On offense, the spotlight will fall on starting junior quarterback Joshua Wood, who has been operating a large installed playbook with the benefit of varied tempo — ranging from no-huddle to full huddles. Ford said the quarterbacks have handled the challenge well. Redshirt freshman Sawyer Teeney and junior Jack Wagner will also see action as backups.
The running back duo of transfers Damonte Bias and Ferrari Miller has been a bright spot in camp and could signal a more productive ground game heading into the fall season. The performance of the passing game Friday will provide early clues about how the Vandals’ offense could develop through summer and into the regular season. Vandal fans can also look back at the team’s gritty 1-1 draw with the Cougars in the Battle of the Palouse earlier this spring as further evidence of the competitive spirit building inside the program.
What Comes Next
Friday’s Black vs. Gold game at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome in Moscow marks the conclusion of the Vandals’ 2026 spring football camp. The 6 p.m. kickoff is free to the public, with a postgame autograph session on the field. Following the spring game, the program will shift its focus to summer workouts before fall camp opens ahead of the regular season. Moscow and Latah County fans looking for additional community coverage can visit The Spokesman-Review’s recent feature on a Moscow man’s journey to becoming a Catholic deacon for more on the people and stories shaping the region. For statewide sports and news coverage, readers can follow Idaho News and the broader Idaho News Network.