Vandals go after Pack
MOSCOW, Idaho – With four wins, the Idaho Vandals are in the midst of their best football season since they went 5-6 in 2000. Along the way, the Vandals ran off three straight wins for the first time since 1999.
But another ignominious streak remains. Idaho hasn’t defeated a Division I-A opponent with a winning record – at the time they played Idaho or at season’s end – since knocking off Southern Mississippi in the 1998 Humanitarian Bowl. Of Idaho’s 27 wins in the last seven-plus seasons, four have come against I-AAs, including a pair in 1999 over Eastern Washington, which finished 7-4, and Montana, which ended 9-3.
During the post-Humanitarian Bowl stretch, Idaho has defeated five opponents that were at .500 at the time, including Idaho State (1-1) and New Mexico State (2-2) this season. Aside from I-AAs, Idaho hasn’t defeated a foe that finished with more than four wins since Southern Miss (7-5).
The Vandals (4-5, 3-2 WAC) take another shot at snapping that streak today when Nevada (5-3, 2-2) visits the Kibbie Dome at 2. Both teams harbor bowl hopes, though Idaho probably needs to win its last three games while Nevada has a bit more room for error.
Bowls and streaks are hardly on UI coach Dennis Erickson’s mind. More fresh is Idaho’s 68-10 loss to Hawaii last Saturday. The Vandals were soundly beaten two other times this season – 56-10 by Washington State and 38-0 by Oregon State. Both times Idaho responded with victories.
“We have a lot of pride and our players have a lot of heart,” Erickson said. “That (Hawaii) was something that was embarrassing. I would assume and would like to think that we are going to bounce back and play better.”
Nevada lost its first two games but has won four of its last five – the only setback a 41-34 decision at Hawaii. All five wins have been by 10 or more points.
“They’re playing as well as anybody in the league right now,” Erickson said.
Nevada gained 537 yards while crushing Idaho 62-14 last year. The Wolf Pack went on to share the WAC title with Boise State and capped their season with a 49-48 overtime win over Central Florida in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.
Senior quarterback Jeff Rowe, who orchestrated last year’s rout with three touchdown passes, has been slowed by a hamstring injury but should be at or near full strength. The 6-foot-5 Rowe, who is also a threat to run, ranks in the top seven in school history in career passing yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns.
“All he does is win games,” Erickson said. “He has big numbers, they score a lot of points, great mobility, very accurate and he does a lot of things at the line. He’s just a great quarterback.”
Chris Ault, in his third stint as Wolf Pack coach, has 181 career wins, fifth among active I-A coaches. Ault’s teams won three of four meetings over Erickson’s Vandals from 1982-85.
“We’ve had a chance to look at tapes of Idaho, particularly their last four games, and I can see they’re a vastly improved club,” Ault said. “They play well at home. They gave Boise State all they wanted.”
The Vandals were handled in all three phases last week. They generated only 10 points, allowed 560 yards and gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown. Nevada ranks third in the WAC in total offense and defense.
Notes
Nevada assistant coaches Jim Maestro and Kim McCloud were assistants at Idaho from 1998-99. … The Wolf Pack have forced 24 turnovers and they’re tied for first in the WAC in turnover margin. … Idaho officials anticipate a crowd of 13,000-14,000.