Usually after a big bowl win, you get comments of elation from the players and fans. Idaho quarterback Matt Linehan bucked that trend with some pretty pointed comments at Idaho school president Chuck Staben following the Vandals' 61-50 win over Colorado State in the Potato Bowl.
"We belong in FBS," Linehan said after the game. "Period. That's what I believe, that's what everyone believes. We know we can compete, we belong here. No matter what anyone thinks, even our tone-deaf president. Maybe he doesn't think we belong here, but I think we belong here."
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The comments come as Idaho plans to move down to FCS play starting in 2018. With the win over Colorado State, Idaho is 9-4 on the season and now 3-0 all-time in bowl games. However, the school does awkwardly play in the Sun Belt for FBS football, and a drop to FCS will let them fit more naturally in the Big Sky with schools like Montana, Idaho State, and Eastern Washington.
Linehan apologized later after the game in a press conference.
"I had no position to do that," Linehan said. I'll apologize to President Staben. Emotions run high at the end of the game like that. I think it was very emotional for all of us."
It makes sense for the junior quarterback to want to compete at the highest level possible, especially after a pretty successful season this year. Emotions do run especially high just after a game, and Linehan was right to apologize once things had calmed down.
