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0 commentsA Vandal for a lifetime
Idaho defensive end Taylor Rust grew up in Boise but dreamed of playing for Idaho
By Sandra Kelly, Daily News staff writer
Posted on: Friday, November 14, 2008
He's not the biggest guy on the team.
He's not the fastest or the most intimidating, but Idaho defensive end Taylor Rust knows more about Vandal football than most people have forgotten.
He also knows a thing or two about the intensity of the BSU-Idaho game.
"I've been around Vandal football for a while," he laughed. "Both parents went here, my grandma and grandpa went here, their parents went here, so there's a little history here.
"My mom is an alumn and I grew up going to the BSU-Idaho game, watching this rivalry."
Rust was in elementary school in Boise when the Vandals were the talk of the Big Sky Conference. When Idaho moved into the Big West, Rust watched them win the Humanitarian Bowl, and even when the Vandals began to struggle, Rust stayed true to the silver and gold, hoping he'd get the chance to play for them.
"I grew up watching Vandal football games," Rust said. "As a freshman I came on my recruiting trip and it was a bunch of good guys, great coaches. I liked the atmosphere."
Rust has taken a little heat from his BSU friends over the years, but he enjoys the rivalry.
"Out of all my high school friends back in Boise, it's about 50-50," he said. "A lot came up to the UI to be Vandals and the other half are at BSU. My next door neighbors in Boise, they have their BSU flags up and we have our Vandal flag up. It's always a little battle - but fun."
Rust hasn't had the results he was hoping for, but he doesn't regret coming to play for Idaho.
After redshirting in 2004, he spent the next two years with limited game action, but played full-tilt through every practice and every game opportunity.
In 2007 he finished with 23 solo tackles, 12 assists, six tackles for a loss and three sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and forced a pair. His four quarterback hurries was a team high.
He didn't lose a beat coming into the 2008 season. So far he has 29 tackles - 18 solos, and he's broken up two passes and has two quarterback hurries.
Idaho coach Robb Akey said Rust is a special player who has worked diligently to be where he is today.
"His name pops in your head and the first thing you think of is a first-class young man," he said. "He plays with a great motor. He cares a great deal. He's one of the guys who has done a great job of being a leader in that defensive front and helping a lot of those young guys be able to come along. He gives everything he's got and he wants nothing more than to see this program get swung."
Saturday's game will be the last in the Dome for Rust and his fellow seniors. It's also the last time he'll suit up against the Broncos, and though it's hard to think about, it's also serendipitous.
"I played my last high school game at BSU, on their field," Rust said. "I come up (for college) and my very first football game was Idaho against BSU. It was the first game of the year at BSU, on the same field. That was kind of a cool experience. Then my last two games I have a chance to play BSU again when they are in the Top 10 in the nation. So it makes it that much more of a challenge to me."
It's a challenge he's looking forward to. As usual, the Vandals are huge underdogs against the No. 9 Broncos, but that doesn't matter to Rust.
"I love these kinds of games," he said. "The atmosphere, there's so much hype on it. It's a great feeling."
Sandra Kelly can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 231, or by e-mail at skelly@dnews.com.
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