1. QB PERFORMANCE: After a four-wide QB battle throughout the fall, Gevani McCoy earned the starting spot in the season opener against Washington State. After throwing for two interceptions against WSU, he didn't turn the ball over against Indiana while throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. 

2. WELCOME FRESHMEN: True freshmen running back Anthony Woods and wide receiver Jordan Dwyer made their collegiate debuts to impressive results against WSU. Woods rushed nine times for 50 yards to lead all Idaho rushers. Dwyer caught three passes for 39 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.  They followed up with another solid game against Indiana. Dwyer scored another touchdown and Woods again rushed for 50 yards. 

3. TURNOVERS: Despite playing games against Power Five opponents, the Vandals are up big time in the turnover margin. Idaho has five takeaways to just two turnovers. Good enough for the seventh best turnover margin in the FCS and the third spot in fumbles recovered. Combined with the fifth best time of possession mark in the FCS, Idaho is controlling the ball.  

4. IMPACT TRANSFERS: Six new transfers are listed on the Vandal defensive two-deep, two transfers are listed on the offensive list and one special teams player a and made an immediate. Paul Moala, a linebacker transfer from Notre Dame  forced a fumble against WSU and got a goalline stop against Indiana. Juliano Falaniko, a defensive end transfer from USC had six tackles and a sack so far. Mathias Bertram a safety from New Mexico had nine total tackles in the season opener. Former NAIA All-American Jason Hahlbeck, a transfer from Morningside College, was back in the lineup after missing the WSU game.  Junior college transfer Ricardo Chavez made an impact on special teams with his punting and a 28-yard made field goal. JC transfer Murvin Kenion III forced a fumble against Indiana. 

5. RECEIVERS: The Vandals have depth in the wide receiver corps. Terez Traynor tallied 50 receptions last year for 737 yards and three touchdowns, including three games with over 100 yards receiving. Hayden Hatten played in three games a season ago before injury and had 215 yards and three touchdowns. He scored two against Indiana. He has over 1000 yards for his career. Jermaine Jackson is an emotional and vocal leader for the Idaho receivers. He played limited action in 2021 because of injury but looks to make an impact this season, but has already shown his big-play ability. 

6. NEW BUT VETERAN STAFF: With the coaching staff change, head coach Jason Eck changed the entire staff. Among the 10 assistant coaches, seven have served as a coordinator in a college football setting and running backs coach Thomas Ford is a former DII head coach. Stanley Franks Jr. and Matt Linehan both had outstanding careers as players at the University of Idaho.

What Are They Saying
"Hats off to Idaho. They were prepared. They were ready to go. They played their tails off. They took their shots, played aggressively and it was a hard-fought win. 
-WSU coach Jake Dickert

"I tried to make sure we didn't take these guys for granted because we blew them out a year ago. The film showed me this wasn't the same football team. I knew this team had talent, had some good players and were good enough to beat us."
- Indiana Coach Tom Allen