Vandals put emphasis on passing

MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho offensive coordinator Steve Axman is a self-described worrier, even over fine details. So, of course, he spent the past few days stressing about the Vandals’ error-filled passing game at Nebraska.

It wasn’t just that quarterback Nate Enderle threw five interceptions, or that Idaho’s receivers were overwhelmed by the Cornhuskers’ polished secondary. Axman was bothered by more than that.

“As I told our players, ‘You know, if you’re executing well and getting beat, that’s one thing. But if you’re not executing well and getting beat, then that means a lot of it is on us,’ ” Axman said. “We’ve got to make some improvement there quickly.”

After the Vandals’ 38-17 loss at NU, another worrisome development emerged: The club’s newfound depth at receiver – once a clear strength – is quickly deteriorating. Slot receiver Marcel Posey was lost for the year Saturday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and the Vandals were without three other wideouts during parts of the second half in Lincoln.

Barring setbacks, Preston Davis, who’s recovering from an ACL tear, and Justin Veltung are scheduled to play Saturday night versus UNLV at the Kibbie Dome. Maurice Shaw also missed time last week but is expected back.

“We have four guys who are out right now, so you’re going to see with all those injuries that other guys are going to have to step it up,” said Davis, held out of the second half of UI’s first two games to rest his left knee. “You’re going to see different receivers out there than you are used to seeing.”

Running back/returner Kama Bailey, among others, should log more time at slot receiver with Posey out for the season. The junior from Hawaii has proven to be valuable because of his speed and ability to hop between multiple positions.

Axman said Bailey has picked up slot-receiving duties so quickly that he now “looks very natural at the slot spot.”

In practice this week, the Vandals (1-1) also experimented with Landon Weaver, true freshman Mitchell Crockrum and John Roberson with the first two offensive units.

Last week coach Robb Akey was particularly disturbed with the receivers’ lack of aggressiveness in going after balls in the air. At least two of Enderle’s interceptions, he said, were not solely the quarterback’s fault.

Bobby Hauck is just two games into his tenure at UNLV after leaving Montana, but it’s not surprising that he’s already bumping into an Akey-coached team.

The coaches each spent time at Big Sky schools during similar stretches early in their careers. And their paths crossed later on, with Akey at Washington State and Hauck at Washington.

Last year, they even went to Afghanistan together as part of a coaches’ tour.

“I’ve put up with him for a long time,” Akey said. “He was playing at Montana when I was playing at Weber State. We’ve coached against each other. We’ve gone against each other quite a lot.”

Hauck, 80-17 in seven years at Montana, was hired in Las Vegas after Akey’s name was reported to be in the mix for the job.

Don’t stay in Vegas

Las Vegas in recent years has been a fertile recruiting ground for Idaho. Four Vandals – most notably Davis and Michael Cosgrove – hail from the area, while Deonte Jackson also lived their at one time.

Davis said a key to the pipeline has been developing strong connections with high school coaches. He and linebacker Korey Toomer went to Shadow Ridge High in Las Vegas. Their coach grew up in New York, where Axman is from.

“If we’re able to play it well and able to have success against (UNLV),” Akey said, “I think it does continue to help our recruiting efforts in Las Vegas.”