MOSCOW, Idaho - The Vandals travel to Flagstaff to open Big Sky Conference play against Northern Arizona Saturday at 1 p.m. The Vandals and Lumberjacks are both 1-2 on the year, but both teams have played tough schedules. Idaho's losses came to power five schools and NAU's  setbacks came against Arizona State and Missouri Valley team North Dakota. 

ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals picked up the first win in head coach Jason Eck's tenure Saturday with a 42-14 win over Drake at the Kibbie Dome. Now the sights turn to the Big Sky Conference and Northern Arizona. Gevani McCoy has played well as the Vandal signal caller. He has a 65.4 completion percentage and has thrown for five TDs with just two interceptions. 

ABOUT NAU: The Lumberjack offense has yet to get off of the ground, averaging just 12.3 points per game through three games, but the defense has been solid, allowing just 156.3 passing yards and 23.3 points per game. RJ Martinez has thrown for 630 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but given up four interceptions. Former Palouse resident Chris Ball is in his fourth season as the head coach. 

PICK SIX

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 hasn't thrown an interception since and has four touchdown passes in the last two games.  True freshman quarterback Jack Layne was given time at the QB position against Drake in a chance to get him playing experience while preserving his redshirt. 

2. WELCOME FRESHMEN: True freshmen running back Anthony Woods jumps into the top spot on the depth chart this week after a stellar performance against Drake. Jordan Dwyer notched a pair of receiving touchdowns in the first two games. The two players made their debuts against Washington State. Four other true freshman, Jack Layne (QB), Dylan Layne (LB), Tigana Cisse (OL) and Ayden Knapik (OL) played against Drake with a plan to preserve their redshirts. 

3. TURNOVERS: Despite playing games against Power Five opponents, the Vandals are up big time in the turnover margin. Idaho has seven takeaways to just two turnovers. Good enough for the ninth-best turnover margin in the FCS and the ninth spot in fumbles recovered. Combined with the fifth best time of possession mark in the FCS, Idaho is controlling the ball. The Vandals are one short of their takeaway number from a season ago in just three games. 
 
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, made a goalline stop against Indiana and nabbed an interception against Drake. Juliano Falaniko, a defensive end transfer from USC had seven 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 is 6-6 on the year for field goals and was the Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week. JC transfer Murvin Kenion III forced a fumble against Indiana and had an interception against Drake.

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, including a receiving touchdown and a punt return touchdown against Drake. 

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.