Homecoming could put UI over top

Maybe, just maybe, this is the week the Idaho football team will play a complete game and the Vandals’ effort will be rewarded with a win.

Maybe, homecoming – with a 2 p.m. kickoff in the Kibbie Dome – can help make that difference.

“I hope that homecoming will draw a crowd here that’s going to fill the place up,” head coach Robb Akey said. “Maybe that’ll be the little extra deal that’ll get us over the edge because we’re so close right now, we’re so close.”

But it’s certainly going to take a complete game for the Vandals (1-5, 0-2 Western Athletic Conference) to beat Fresno State (3-2, 2-0) and end a four-game losing streak marked by game-turning lapses and comebacks that fell short.

The Bulldogs dominated at Nevada last week, scoring five touchdowns on plays of at least 40 yards on the way to a 49-41 win.

Two young running backs were impressive, freshman Ryan Mathews with touchdown runs of 54 and 67 yards while gaining 171 yards and sophomore Lonyae Miller with a 72-yard scoring run.

“Those two give us the chance to hit with the run from anywhere on the field,” Bulldogs coach Pat Hill said. “We haven’t had that type of running back here in the last 10 years. We’ve had good running backs but not that kind of speed.”

Clifton Smith also scored on a 67-yard punt return and cornerback A.J. Jefferson returned a blocked field goal for a 40-yard score.

“The Bulldogs are obviously a tough outfit; they got after (Nevada) pretty well,” Akey said. “They’ve got some weapons on offense that concern me. They’re doing a nice job getting ball distributed. Defensively, they’re very active, physical and aggressive and they are well-coached throughout. They did a good job last week in special teams. They’ve got a ton of speed.”

As has been his mantra from the first week, Akey said the Vandals are focusing on themselves, not the opponent.

For the most part, Idaho has been in every game until some kind of mistake or lull forces the team to battle from behind.

“We need to play a little more correct at times so we don’t dig holes,” Akey said. “It’s a combination of we maybe make a couple of mistakes or the other team makes a couple of plays. It’s desire, but it’s making a mistake, not executing well. Each game is different. Each phase of the game has had an opportunity. Each phase has helped us and each has contributed to holes we’re in.

“I hope we can execute better, and when we make mistakes we can’t have them come in succession. Great teams have trouble surviving mistakes but … we’re not a great football team yet. …We’re a work in progress.”

Idaho’s offense has a different look with Brian Nooy replacing injured Nathan Enderle at quarterback and freshman Quin Ashley stepping in to run a spread option offense.

That has Hill concerned after Nevada’s spread attack piled up more than 700 yards last week.

Part of that stems from the long touchdowns, which led to the FSU offense on the field for 51 plays and the defense for 96. Also, injuries have depleted the Bulldogs with five players who were on scout team defense all week getting into the game.

“We’re still a work in progress with a lot of moving, changing parts,” he said. “We’re improving.”

Akey said Hill also has a few offensive wrinkles with a running back or wide receiver occasionally taking snaps.

But deception aside, this should be an old-fashioned, hard-nosed football game.

“They’re going to play very hard,” Hill said. “Their offensive line is, next to Oregon, one of the top two offensive lines we’ve played so far this year. I’m very impressed. They’re going to pound the ball; play a real physical style.”

Akey concurred.

“This will be a real physical football game,” he said. “That’s our style and that’s their style.”

TV note: The game will be shown on Altitude TV, which is available on some satellite systems.