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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Idaho at Boise State

KICKOFF: 12:30 p.m. PST at Bronco Stadium, Boise

Records: Idaho 7-3, 4-2 WAC; BSU 9-0, 4-0

TV/Radio: ESPNU, KSKN 22/1080-AM

Overview: For all the talk about Idaho needing to get off to a solid start this week – something that hasn’t happened in a month – that’s precisely what the Vandals did last year against BSU. Nathan Enderle found Daniel Hardy for a wild 81-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage, touching off a momentary burst of celebration at the Kibbie Dome. But Idaho crumbled from there in a 45-10 loss. More to the point this time, the Vandals would love to bottle up their solid second-half play of late and spread it throughout the game. In reference to the recent slow starts, UI defensive coordinator Mark Criner said: “I just want to beat my head in the cement. (I’m) going, ‘God, what can we do to get ourselves going?’ ” The early-game headaches have been widespread, affecting all three phases, and another poorly executed first quarter is likely to doom the Vandals against a BSU team that has posted 10 straight double-digit victories in this series. Not since a rousing 36-35 victory in 1998 has Idaho upended its in-state foe. UI is a 311/2-point underdog and might be without Enderle (shoulder) for the second straight week.