Idaho should catch break in schedule
The football schedule, no friend of the University of Idaho in September, shows a softer side the rest of the season.
It begins Saturday when Idaho (0-4) visits Eastern Michigan (1-3) in Ypsilanti. After that, the Vandals dive into their Sun Belt schedule, save a season-ending trip to Hawaii in November.
Eastern Michigan has played three of its four games at home. The Eagles’ lone win was against Buffalo, which is 0-4. The last two weeks, Toledo and Eastern Illinois both earned their first wins by knocking off Eastern Michigan.
Compare that to Idaho, which has been completely outmanned in three of its four games. Boise State, Washington State and Oregon made quick work of the Vandals before the game clock reached halftime.
“I think it will help our mindset,” Idaho coach Nick Holt said. “And what’s also helping our mindset is the kids feel themselves getting better. They’re having their own successes, small as they are, and they see improvement and that keeps these guys going.”
Eastern Michigan has been productive offensively, averaging 187.2 yards rushing and 221.2 passing. The Eagles’ defense, though, has allowed 445.2 yards and 39 points per game.
EMU, ranked No. 114 in Division I-A by CBSsportsline.com, is favored by 7 over Idaho (No. 117, and last).
Pierce hurt
New Mexico State quarterback Buck Pierce injured his right (throwing) shoulder in the third quarter of a 38-3 loss to rival New Mexico. Pierce was 6 of 6 for 38 yards prior to the injury.
He was replaced by Paul Dombrowski, who was 2 of 12 in the second half. NMSU used a two-quarterback system with Pierce and Dombrowski for portions of the last two seasons, but Dombrowski has been primarily at receiver this season.
The extent of Pierce’s injury wasn’t known. Coach Tony Samuel doesn’t comment on injuries.
Departing gift?
New Mexico State is involved in two of four “designated” Sun Belt games. NMSU’s contests against UTEP and unbeaten Florida Atlantic will count in the Sun Belt standings.
The Aggies, who are leaving the Sun Belt for the WAC in 2005 along with Utah State and Idaho, don’t play the Vandals or Louisiana-Monroe this season. Both are winless.
The Sun Belt champion will be determined by winning percentage. Middle Tennessee is the only team that will play all eight Sun Belt schools. Everyone else plays seven conference games, including designated matchups.
Aggies rebound
Utah State was outgained 550-291 in total yardage, but managed to dig out a surprising 31-21 road win over UNLV by forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions.
Linebacker Robert Watts returned one interception 90 yards for a touchdown, barely outlegging a Rebels running back.
“I definitely ran out of gas,” Watts told the Salt Lake Tribune. “(But) I didn’t have much gas to begin with.”
The victory ended USU’s nine-game road losing streak. It also evened the Aggies record at 2-2, its best start since 1997.
Notes
The funeral service for Idaho cornerback Eric McMillan will be Thursday in Alabama. McMillan died from a gunshot wound last Monday. UI cornerbacks coach Alundis Brice will attend the service, Holt said… . Vandals linebacker Cole Snyder leads the Sun Belt with 48 tackles… . Holt hopes to have receivers Bobby Bernal-Wood and Jeff Stowe back at practice by midweek. Both have sprained shoulders. Linebacker Nate Nichols (ankle) should be ready to play Saturday, Holt said.
• Prior to Saturday’s loss to Baylor, North Texas players voted not to talk to the media after the game. It’s expected the boycott will end this week… . The Mean Green has an 18-game Sun Belt winning streak, but that probably won’t last much longer. UNT (0-4) has been outscored 174-48. The Mean Green beat Baylor 52-14 last year, but lost to the Bears 37-14 Saturday.