Enderle finds comfort zone

Twelve games into his Idaho football career, Nathan Enderle has unearthed a trend: When he stays locked in on the field, the results are generally positive.

That might not seem like a momentous discovery. But it’s meant something for the sophomore quarterback who had a turbulent 2007 campaign.

“I’m more comfortable and a lot more focused on every play,” Enderle said. “You know, it’s hard to stay really in the zone the entire game. I think I’m getting better at that. It’s kind of showing through with (my) statistics, I guess.”

The North Platte, Neb., product threw for 334 yards last week in a loss to Western Michigan.

In the last two games, Enderle’s penchant for being turnover-prone hasn’t been a major issue.

Enderle’s only interception since a dismal season opener at Arizona came Saturday while he was getting hit. The wobbler was returned 47 yards for a touchdown in the game’s early moments.

“That’s not his fault,” said coach Robb Akey, who gave his second-year starter a strong endorsement this week. … “He’s doing a fine job. He’s making great decisions, putting us in the right place. … He’s making good throws. He had three bad throws (against WMU), and that was it. I know what he’s doing right, what’s he’s doing wrong. I’ll tell you what he’s doing wrong – he had three bad throws.”

The 6-foot-5, 223-pounder enters the Vandals’ WAC opener Saturday at Utah State with the conference’s third-highest passing efficiency (128.77). Enderle has five touchdowns and four interceptions after suffering through an 18-pick season a year ago.

His improvement has been especially evident to tight end/H-back Eddie Williams, who connected with Enderle nine times for 161 yards last week. Williams said the QB has matured from an often-nervous redshirt freshman to a more consistent performer.

“There’s some people out there (who) don’t think he’s playing well.” Williams said. “I think he’s playing great. You watch him on film, you really see that.”

Sacks facts

If there’s one area of concern surrounding Enderle, it’s the nine times he’s been sacked this season. The issue was magnified by Western Michigan, who threw him to the ground five times.

While some of those sacks were a result of Enderle not wanting to force iffy throws, Akey said the Vandals’ pass protection has to get better.

There was one bit of good news regarding the offensive line last week: It got a boost with the return of 330-pound guard Mike Iupati.

Iupati recovered enough from an off-season shoulder injury to play for the first time this season. Iupati’s role will be expanded against Utah State, Akey said.

Spartans turn corner

WAC front-runners Fresno State and Boise State probably aren’t sweating yet, but San Jose State has quietly crafted a solid non-conference résumé.

The Spartans eked out a win over UC Davis in their opener, and have since posted a respectable outing at Nebraska and drilled San Diego State. Quarterback Kyle Reed rushed for three TDs and completed his first 13 passes in last week’s 35-10 win over the Aztecs.

This week, SJSU (2-1) could make a stronger case to be considered a contender with a win at Stanford (1-2).

“They’re coming off two losses,” Spartans coach Dick Tomey said of the Cardinal, “so it will be a game that both teams want very badly.”

Game of the week

The most tantalizing matchup featuring a WAC team this weekend is no doubt Boise State’s trip to No. 17 Oregon. It will be the first true test for the Broncos, who are 2-0 after clobbering Idaho State and Bowling Green.

“This will be as good a team as certainly I’ve seen in a long time,” BSU coach Chris Petersen said of the Ducks. “They’ve got tremendous speed in all three phases of the game.”