New era in Moscow

MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho Vandals, who open the 2007 football season at No. 1 USC on Saturday, talk openly about playing in a bowl game.

That may seem like a pipe dream for a program that has had seven straight losing seasons, three head coaches in four years and close to 20 players leave after the latest coaching change but it is a dream new coach Robb Akey encourages.

“Of course we talk about a bowl game,” Akey said. “If we didn’t we’d be selling this team short.”

That’s typical Akey, a man whose glass is always half full, even if he knows it’s going to be a challenge to top it off.

He capped his first team meeting in January by having a jewelry representative size the players for bowl rings.

“I want them to expect to win,” Akey said. “These guys can only think one way.”

To which standout cornerback Stanley Franks added, “We’re looking at a bowl game. Realistically, a lot of guys around here truly believe that in their hearts. … We’re getting there. Every day, slowly but surely, we’re building up.”

There has been so much change Akey understands that there may be few believers outside the program.

In just four years UI ended the ill-fated Tom Cable Era, had the brief Nick Holt Era and the briefer reprisal of the second Dennis Erickson Era. During that time the Vandals moved from the undistinguished Sun Belt Conference to the more respected, more recognizable and more difficult Western Athletic Conference.

So, what can fans expect from the Vandals as the Akey Era kicks off?

“What they can expect to see this season is a team out there that’s going to play their tails off from start to finish, a physical team that’s going to fly around and take pride in the way they play,” the former Washington State assistant said. “I expect to see a team that’s going to develop over the course of the season.

“I’d like to think the Vandal nation will be proud of that.”

Expect that same enthusiasm from Akey, who wore his emotions on his sleeve during his eight years on the Cougars sideline.

“That can’t change, that won’t change,” he vowed. “The better we play the more excited you’re going to see me. The intensity will always be there, that’s the only way I know how to do it. If I’m going to ask them to play a hundred miles an hour and fly around, they need to get the same thing from me. That’s the way I coach, that’s the way it’s going to be.”

The biggest concerns as practice began are the same ones Akey has as the team heads to USC – depth on the defensive line, who will emerge among the unproven wide receivers and cornerback opposite Franks.

“We’re a work in progress,” he said, “but I like very much the progress we’ve made.”

Despite the questions, Akey said the coaches have a pretty good handle on the two-deep roster. Even if it is written in pencil, it’s “dark pencil, a little darker than a golf course pencil,” Akey said.

There are no questions at linebacker with seniors David Vobora , Jo Artis Ratti and Brandon Ogletree. Franks, who tied for the lead nationally with nine interceptions last season, and safety Shiloh Keo, have been strong in the secondary, and defensive end Ben Alexander has adapted well to his shift to the fourth linebacker.

Because depth is an issue on the line, Akey and defensive coordinator Mark Criner are switching the alignment from a 4-3 to a 3-4.

“I love it,” Alexander said. “I feel like I’m more involved with the defense. When your hand is down you’re more focused on the offensive line. Now I’m more involved in coverages.”

Akey is toying with the idea of shoring up the goal line defense with 300-pound offensive linemen Mike Iupati and Marcus Fennell.

“If we can play good defense, it gives us a chance,” Akey said.

The offense has a sound base with center Adam Korby anchoring the line, a deep corps of tight ends and some veteran running backs.

But the triggerman is going to be redshirt freshman Nathan Enderle, who does not have a proven group of wide receivers.

“I think we’re improving every day, especially in the quarterback situation,” said Korby, adding the line wants to produce a 1,000-yard back and allow less than 25 sacks. “Nathan’s doing better every day and everybody’s behind him the whole way.”

For his part, Enderle is confident in the receivers.

“We have a few new guys out of high school and they’re coming along … the guys we had last year are getting better,” he said. “I’m really not that worried about it. I’m really excited about the new guys we have.”

Offensive coordinator Steve Axman is anxious for the first test, even if it is USC.

“I think we’re making a lot of progress … but we all know we have a long way to go,” he said. “We need to get our feet wet, play a game. There’s a tremendous difference in practicing for a game and playing in a game.

“Our goal is to see how high up the ladder we can start. We’re looking at this as a starting point for our offense, how well can we execute, how well can we perform so that we have a starting point to work from.”

With consistency from the kickers, Akey said special teams should be strong. He expects long field goals from junior Tino Amancio, who made 12 of 17 field goals with a long of 49 yards; big punts from junior T.J. Conley, who averaged 39.4 yards; and kickoffs into the end zone from Vincente Rico, a plus with the starting point backed up five yards.

Akey pointed out that last year’s team went 4-8 with three close losses.

“Win those games and that was a seven-win team,” he said. “This team has better chemistry. Talent-wise it’s the same, although we have few numbers. If we can stay healthy and get momentum going, that’s not unrealistic. I guess I have to be optimistically patient.”