Idaho signed Xavier Bazile, a 6-foot-4 senior from Mt. Tahoma High in Tacoma, and two junior college players – Wendell Faines of Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif., and guard Anthony Jones of Memphis, Tenn.

MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho football coach Robb Akey made his feelings very clear Monday on the hazy future of the Vandals’ 40-year-old series with Boise State – at least when it comes to where the rivalry should take place if and when it returns. “That is ridiculous,” Akey said when asked if the game should remain in Boise every year, as BSU coach Chris Petersen suggests. “You play the rival game as a true rival game. Their home and our home every other year, or you don’t play at all. Bottom line.”

MOSCOW, Idaho – Members of the University of Idaho defense trudged off the team plane Sunday morning, groggy after an all-night flight from Hawaii, and already Mark Criner had started to pick up on a theme from his players. “We landed and they were talking about getting after (Nevada),” the Vandals’ defensive coordinator said. “I don’t think it’s a revenge factor. I think it’s a challenge … to have a good football game.”

It’s no wonder the Vandals want a redo with the Wolf Pack. Last year Nevada blitzed Idaho for 484 rushing yards and five touchdowns of at least 35 yards in a 70-45 trampling in Reno.

MOSCOW, Idaho – The first practice of the week was over, and Idaho quarterback Nate Enderle and tight end Taylor Elmo – the proven senior and budding redshirt freshman – stood a few feet apart during separate sessions with the media. While his teammate’s interview dragged on, Enderle was asked if he could imagine the sculpted 6-foot-4, 244-pound Elmo playing quarterback in high school.

MOSCOW, Idaho – The punishing stretch began at Colorado State and wraps up tonight at Hawaii – five games in five time zones, with nearly 7,000 miles accounted for through the air. The Idaho football team over the last six weeks has grown used to long flights and navigating its way to tough-to-reach locales. But that’s OK to coach Robb Akey – just as long as the Vandals don’t get shaken out of their routine.

MOSCOW, Idaho – At 240 pounds, Tre’Shawn Robinson is hands down the heftiest linebacker in Idaho’s playing rotation. That’s not the only distinction he holds among the brethren at his position.

Somewhere between the second half of a numbing loss to Colorado State and last week’s meltdown at Louisiana Tech, the Idaho vandals defense’s confidence has given way to a flurry of questions.

MOSCOW, Idaho – Last year the Idaho football team secured a place in the bowl conversation by Halloween with seven wins in its first nine games, none more riveting than a come-from-behind, 35-34 victory over Louisiana Tech. Becoming postseason-eligible so early was an impressive feat for the previously downtrodden program. But it also helped gloss over the Vandals’ regular-season finish – three consecutive losses and 146 points given up to close Western Athletic Conference play.

Idaho will stage an encore to its 2009 thriller with Louisiana Tech Saturday afternoon in Ruston, La, and the Vandals know the importance of their WAC opener. They don’t just want blot out the memories of last’s season conference flameout – they are also looking to inch closer to another bowl.

MOSCOW, Idaho – Back in Las Vegas, the father and son still cross paths. Their meetings are infrequent, unexpected – and usually awkward. Deonté Jackson has stumbled across his biological dad a few times when he’s out with friends or running errands. During each encounter they catch up for a few minutes, like old classmates, and then scatter in different directions.

MOSCOW, Idaho – After perhaps the most bitter football loss of the Robb Akey era, the Idaho Vandals did all they could Sunday to address what went wrong at Colorado State and simply move on. But then came the usual early-week sessions with the media, when UI coaches and players had to rehash all the unsightly details – over and over again.

After perhaps the most bitter football loss of the Robb Akey era, the Idaho Vandals did all they could Sunday to address what went wrong at Colorado State and simply move on.