MOSCOW, Idaho – The first of 15 spring football practices is over and University of Idaho coach Paul Petrino was happy about what he saw on the field.

“It was exciting,” said Petrino, who is entering his fourth season as head coach of the Vandals. “You have so many more guys out there who know what they're doing. Now, it's more about technique, the little details of every play.”

Those are the blocks Petrino and his staff are focused on building; no longer are they needing to teach work ethic and practice skills.

“We should be at the point now where we understand our side of the ball – now we need to get to the point where we understand the other side of the ball better,” he said. “That's something that can get us to the next level.”

Petrino said he is seeing a change in the players' beliefs.

“The most important thing that excites me is the guys in that locker room believe they have a chance to be good this year,” he said. “They know they're going to be good this year. That's where it all starts.”

The Vandals have four more practices before their first spring scrimmage – April 2 at Lewiston High School. They open the 2016 season at home on Sept. 1 against Montana State University.