With the Cougars leading at the quarter, the Vandal fans cane take solace in one fact: The Vandals' start this year is better than the start they had last year.

Which isn't saying much being that it took the Cougars all of 69 seconds to score two TDs last year. This time it to 11:18 seconds.

The Cougars' fans can take solace in this fact: Last week, WSU's best starting position against Auburn was its 28. The first time WSU touched the ball today, it was at the Idaho 45 - and led to its first touchdown.

The difference early in this one is simple: The Cougars can catch the ball, the Vandals can't.

Cougar defensive end Lance Broadus' interception was a better catch than anyone on Idaho made the entire first 15 minutes.

Wendell Octave, Luke Smith-Anderson and the rest of the Vandal receiving corp just couldn't make the big catch. In Octave's defense, he did grab three passes in the quarter - but no one else caught any.

On the other hand, The Cougars' Chris Jordan makes a diving catch of Alex Brink's 22-yard touchdown throw - a throw that was put in a good place, but one only a spectacular catch would convert into a touchdown. Jordan made it.

Yes, the first touchdown came on a screen pass when Michael Bumpus was wide open - the Vandals brought both inside linebackers - but still it had to be made. The Vandals rarely made even the easy catch, finishing the quarter with 27yards receiving - all but 3 of that on the final first-quarter drive.

That was better though, then the early rushing attack - despite the scoreboard listing 991 yards rushing for the visitors ... UI was in negative numbers at the time and the board couldn't handle it.

Well, it could have been worse for UI - and better for WSU - but an early fumble was overruled by the booth and UI kept the ball. Of course, the Vandals still went three-and-out, a short punt followed and WSU scored.

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