THE RECORDS
The Vandals are 0-2 after opening the season with a 38-31 loss at Louisiana-Monroe followed by a 45-33 loss to Western Michigan at the Kibbie Dome. Their 2014 opener scheduled to be played at Florida was canceled because of weather and weather-related safety concerns. Ohio is 1-2 after opening the season with a victory at Kent State followed by losses at Kentucky and Marshall. Saturday's game is the Bobcats' home opener.
THE COACHES
Paul Petrino is in his second season at Idaho. While it is his first head coaching job, it is not Petrino's first stint at Idaho. His coaching career began at Carroll College (his alma mater, 1989). From Carroll, he went to Idaho where he coached running back, receivers and special teams from 1992-94. From Idaho it was on to Utah State (1995-97), Louisville (1998-99), Southern Mississippi (2000-02), Louisville (2003-06), Atlanta Falcons (2007), Arkansas (2008-09), Illinois (2010-11) and Arkansas (2012).
FRANK SOLICH is in his 10th season as head coach at Ohio, where he has a 67-52 record. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, where he played fullback. After graduating, he spent 12 years in the high school ranks before returning to his alma mater first as the Cornhuskers' freshman coach (1979-82), the as the running backs coach (1983-97) and finally as head coach (1998-2003). He took over at Ohio in 2005.
RETURNING TO THE SUN BELT
Idaho first played in the Sun Belt Conference during the league's inaugural season in 2001. The Vandals remained a member of the league through the 2004 season before heading to the Western Athletic Conference (2005-12). They were an FBS independent last season.
THE SERIES
The two teams have played twice – in 1972 (Idaho won 17-14 at Moscow) and in 1976 (Ohio won 35-0 at Athens).
TELEVISION
The game is on ESPN3 with Wayne Randazzo calling the play by play and John Gregory providing the commentary.
VANDAL RADIO NETWORK
Tom Morris (play by play) and Evan Ellis (analysis) again are calling the gameday action with KZFN (FM 106.1) as the flagship of the statewide, 13-station network. A complete list of stations is on page 3.