One victory in hand, Vandals seek more
MOSCOW, Idaho – Week after week, the Idaho Vandals declared they were oh-so-close to ending their misery. Once the moment finally arrived last Saturday, pure elation flowed from the Kibbie Dome.
But can they make the feeling last more than a few days? That’s the pressing question today as the Vandals attempt to win rare back-to-back games when they host San Jose State.
Kickoff is 2 p.m. for the WAC contest.
“King Kong got our off back a little bit,” coach Robb Akey said of halting a 17-game conference skid against New Mexico State. “And now our challenge is: ‘Let’s do everything we can to go get another one.’ ”
The task will be considerably trickier against the Spartans (5-3, 3-1). They lost their grip on the WAC lead last week in a 33-16 loss to Boise State but still bring the conference’s top-rated defense to the Palouse.
The Vandals (2-7, 1-4) seem to have caught a break in one regard. Carl Ihenacho, one of SJSU’s key cogs, has been sidelined with a thumb injury. The talented defensive end, among the national leaders in tackles for loss, will miss today’s game and is out indefinitely.
Ihenacho’s absence should ease the burden of the Idaho offensive line, which played splendidly last week to help the Vandals rack up 271 rushing yards. A key issue today will be whether or not the Vandals can establish the ground game with Deonte Jackson, Princeton McCarty or Troy Vital.
Each of the young running backs has glimmered at different times. Last week, McCarty was the one to ignite UI’s rushing attack with 160 yards.
“… We’ve got to be able to control the clock for one,” Idaho H-back Eddie Williams said. “It’s going to be tough against their (defensive) line. If we can find a way to run the football against them and take away their strength, then we’re going to win.”
The Vandals tasted victory against an FBS team for the first time since 2006.
“I think once you get rewarded with a victory you like the feeling,” Spartans coach Dick Tomey said. “You don’t want to give it up.”
Idaho, a 16½-point underdog, will try to bag consecutive wins for only the third time since 2001.
But even if the club can pull off the feat, don’t expect Akey to question his critics.
“No, I’m not going to go there,” the second-year coach said. “I understand where everybody’s frustrations were and they had to wonder why I could keep saying some of these things. But hopefully this will have everybody see, ‘Hey, you know what, those kids are working their tails off and they did do some good things.’ ”