Vandals keep the faith

MOSCOW, Idaho – For folks in, say, Fresno or Reno, it must seem like the Idaho football team is miles away from being competitive. Saturday marked its fourth straight loss, and not one has been remotely close.

But here’s the thing: Even after getting shellacked 49-14 to Nevada, the Vandals insisted they’re not that far away.

“We’re right on the brink,” H-back Eddie Williams said. “And you can’t really debate that. It’s clear: We’re right on the brink.”

Idaho nevertheless failed again to inject even a trace of suspense into the fourth quarter against the Wolf Pack. A thinned-out Kibbie Dome crowd (originally announced at 15,013) stayed around as UI tacked on meaningless yards and tried ill-fated onside kicks.

The Vandals (1-5, 0-2) have dropped 21 consecutive games to FBS (Division 1-A) foes and 15 straight in WAC play. The program is well on its way to its ninth losing season in a row.

“I firmly believe in the way we’re going and the way we’re doing things,” UI coach Robb Akey said. “There’s absolutely no question in my mind. It’s driving my tail crazy that we have plays that could be made that we didn’t, and players that have made those plays. That’s the driving-you-crazy part right now.”

Behind three touchdowns apiece from quarterback Colin Kaepernick and second-string tailback Vai Taua, the Wolf Pack methodically picked apart Idaho. They outgained the Vandals 264-24 on the ground and jumped out to a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

It could have been closer. The Vandals’ first two possessions ended with a blocked 39-yard field goal and a failed sneak attempt by quarterback Nathan Enderle on fourth-and-1 from Nevada’s 39.

Later in the first half, Vandals punter T.J. Conley dropped a punt at the 1-yard line and was smothered just inside the goal line. UNR scored on the next play to push its lead to 14-0.

“The muffed punt to go up 14-0 was huge,” Wolf Pack coach Chris Ault said. “To get the ball on the 1-yard line always give you a chance to put something behind the sticks.”

For the Vandals, one promising drive after another fizzled in excruciating fashion. A late second-quarter march, for instance, ended after Deonte Jackson unsuccessfully lunged for the goal line on fourth down.

With the ball at the 1, the tailback somersaulted over the line of scrimmage and came up inches shy of scoring. His acrobatic TD attempt was reviewed by officials but upheld.

“I think 100 percent that I got in, because I stretched the ball out before I got flipped.” Jackson said. “And when I came down, my knees were already in the end zone. But, hey, I’m not the ref.”

One of the few bright spots for Idaho was another noteworthy performance from Williams, who caught 10 passes from 142 yards and two touchdowns. A good chunk of his yards, however, came when the game was well out of hand.

“We got it going at the wrong time,” Williams said. “Sometimes we just happen to get our offense rolling at the end of the game, and that’s not acceptable.”

Notes

David Vobora, a former standout Idaho linebacker and current practice-squad member of the St. Louis Rams, was on hand to accept the Stan Bates Award that he won last spring. It’s handed out by the WAC to players who excel athletically and academically. Steven Jackson, Deonte’s uncle and star running back of the Rams, was also in attendance. … After going 3 for 3 on onside kicks this season, UI failed to convert two attempts.

Around the conference

Hawaii 32, (22) Fresno State 29 (OT): At Fresno, Calif., Inoke Funaki threw two touchdown passes and Dan Kelly gave the Rainbows their first road win against a ranked team with his career-high fourth field goal as Hawaii took advantage of six Bulldogs’ turnovers and three missed field goals to beat 22nd-ranked Fresno State in overtime.

Kevin Goessling had a 36-yard attempt blocked by Antwan Mahaley with 43 seconds to play in regulation for Fresno State.

New Mexico St. 45, Alcorn St. 10: At Las Cruces, N.M., Chris Williams carried an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown as he propelled the Aggies to a non-conference win over the Braves.