MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho's football players have one last chance before summer to impress coach Paul Petrino and his staff when the annual spring game kicks off Friday night at 6 at the Kibbie Dome.

Many already have done so. Newcomers, veterans and those who've made position changes have displayed the work ethic and enthusiasm Petrino has wanted to see since taking over the program in the winter of 2012.

“We've had a really good spring,” Petrino said. “I've been really happy with the players' effort every single day. We went out there every day and worked really hard to improve.”

One area making a significant impression is the defensive front seven with veterans Quinton Bradley (senior end), Ryan Edwards (senior tackle), Tueni Lupeamanu (junior tackle), Marc Millan (senior linebacker) and Broc Westlake (senior linebacker) providing the leadership that led to the unit drawing praise from Petrino.

“We have a chance to be really good up front,” said Petrino of the unit that also includes junior college transfer Leonard Hazewood (end) and grayshirt freshman Kaden Elliss (linebacker). “We're a lot faster between our linebackers and our D linemen.”

While he noted the improvement of the secondary, he said it is – to a degree, a work in progress.

“We've improved each day but that's something we have to improve on this summer,” he said.

Offensively, the line is solidifying with junior Steve Matlock taking over for Mike Marboe, who anchored the line the past four years. He's joined up front by senior Dallas Sandberg, junior Mason Woods and sophomore Jordan Rose. The battle for the fifth spot likely will continue through fall camp.

The strength of the offense, though, Petrino said is in its skill position players with sophomore Matt Linehan and redshirt freshman Jake Luton at quarterback; senior Elijhaa Penny and sophomore Aaron Duckworth at running back, and senior Dezmon Epps, junior Jacob Sannon and sophomore David Ungerer topping the list of talented receivers.

The key move to enhance speed during the offseason was the transitioning of juniors Deon Watson and Trent Cowan to tight end.

“We're just faster all the way across the board,” Petrino said. “Offensively, our strength would probably be in our skill positions.”

On special teams, the Vandals return All-American punter Austin Rehkow, who also doubles as Idaho's kicker, and his long snapper through most of 2014, Brett Ballard.

As for Friday's scrimmage, Petrino wants to see the Vandals at their best.

“You've had 14 practices,” he said. “You want to see guys going out and executing. Let's not have assignment errors. Let's have great effort.

“Let's play good, clean, tough, fast football.”