Vandals hear urgency to succeed

Like other members of the Idaho football program, Virdell Larkins has been within earshot of the verbal jabs. He’s heard opposing players take shots as the losses have mounted. Heck, he’s even listened to fellow UI students poke fun at the team.

The most memorable putdown? Maybe it was when one of Larkins’ classmates said, “I missed (the) only game they’re going to win.”

That remark came after the Idaho State victory earlier this month – yes, the Vandals’ lone win thus far – but it didn’t bother the free safety.

“I hear little things,” Larkins said. “It’s part of the game.”

Still, all the swipes at the Vandals’ battered image must get old after a while. That’s why coach Robb Akey knows a win today over San Diego State would have a soothing effect on the players and team supporters alike.

“Winning this football game is going to do a lot for everybody,” Akey said. “You know, winning makes everything better. And it’s going to put smiles on people’s faces again. It’s going to make the body hurt a little bit less again. It’s going to be make the Vandal Nation feel a little more relaxed.”

Idaho’s final non-conference game starts at 5 p.m. at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. The Vandals (1-3) will try to keep the Aztecs winless before the hosts head into a stringent Mountain West Conference season.

If ever there were a few dates on the schedule for UI to make progress, you would think this would be the time. But, alas, last week the Vandals stumbled in grand fashion in their WAC opener at lowly Utah State, allowing a three-point lead to evaporate into a 42-17 setback.

It was their 19th straight loss to FBS opponents dating back to 2006.

Today the Vandals will confront a foe who started the year with two agonizing losses, then got steamrolled by San Jose State. SDSU opened the season by falling to Cal Poly, an FCS school, on a last-second field goal. A week later, the Aztecs let a late lead slip away at Notre Dame.

“They’re certainly hungry to make something happen, just like we’re hungry to make something happen also,” Akey said.

Aztecs coach Chuck Long also sees similarities in the two clubs, especially when it comes to youth on defense.

But while SDSU has three key players returning, the Vandals grew even more inexperienced in the secondary when strong safety Shiloh Keo injured his shoulder last week.

He’s out for today’s game, which means walk-on Jeromy Jones will get his first career start against a pass-happy San Diego State offense piloted by Ryan Lindley. The freshman is averaging 255 yards through the air with four touchdowns in three games.

“On the offensive side of the ball, they’re going to throw the football,” Akey said. “That’s their goal, that’s their desire. And that’s what they’re going to spend the afternoon doing is air it out.”