1990 Idaho Vandals football team

The 1990 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1990 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals were led by second-year head coach John L. Smith, were members of the Big Sky Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The three-time defending conference champion Vandals made the I-AA playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, under a third head coach. With future college hall of fame quarterback John Friesz in the NFL, Idaho was led by redshirt freshman Doug Nussmeier; they finished the regular season at 8–3 and 6–2 in the Big Sky. Nussmeier's season was ended by a broken right ankle in early October, and fifth-year senior Steve Nolan guided the team to seven consecutive wins, including a ninth-straight victory over rival Boise State.

The season ended in the quarterfinals in December, where Idaho lost by one point at Georgia Southern, the eventual national champion.

Roster

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All-conference
Four Vandals made the all-conference team: running back Devon Pearce, wide receiver Kasey Dunn, cornerback Charlie Oliver, and defensive end Jeff Robinson. Second team selections were guard Chris Hoff, tight end Scott Dahlquist, linebacker Jimmy Jacobs, and punter Joe Carrasco. Honorable mention were quarterback Steve Nolan, center Mike Rice, return specialist Roman Carter, and linebacker Mark Matthews.

Pearce shared the Big Sky's outstanding offensive player award with quarterback Jamie Martin of Weber State.