MOSCOW, Idaho - It wasn't that Dennis Erickson was at a loss for words after the University of Idaho's 45-7 Western Athletic Conference loss to Nevada Saturday.

He just couldn't put his finger on was why the Vandals have begun to struggle when just two weeks ago they were playing with poise, confidence and success.

"Football teams get better or get worse," Erickson said in the aftermath of the game that left Idaho at 4-6 for the season and 3-3 in the WAC. "They never really stay the same. After the Boise State game, I really felt we were a football team that really, really improved. The last two weeks we got worse. I wish I knew why."

Saturday's veering from the path began early and continued until the final whistle. Nevada scored on five of its first seven possessions to go up 31-0 at halftime.

The Vandals lone TD was Jayson Bird's one-yard effort midway through the third quarter. But the drive that led to his TD didn't start a reversal of fortunes for the Vandals.

The list of problems were on and on, quarterback Steve Wichman barely had time to take the snap before the wave of Nevada defenders was on him; the defense couldn't contain a running game that eventually netted 222 yards or a passing game that accounted for another 195. And special teams struggled throughout the afternoon.

To make matters worse, they lost the ball four times, three fumbles and an interception, while creating only one. And they were whistled seven times for penalties totaling 72 yards.

"We're not executing on offense like we're capable of," Erickson said. "We're not making plays on offense like we're capable of. Defensively, we've had trouble stopping everything. That's the most disappointing thing with where we're at right now is that we made a lot of progress then we stopped making progress and went sideways."

The Vandals are off until Nov. 18 when they travel to Fresno State.