MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho looks to make it three straight in the Che-Scow Cup series when Eastern Washington comes to the P1FCU Kibbie Dome to face the 11th-ranked Vandals. Idaho enters the match up with a 5-3 record while EWU is 2-5 on the year. Desite the record, Eastern brings a dynamic offensive attack into the game to face the battle-tested Vandals. 

ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals play at home for the second consecutive week and Idaho looks to continue the home winning ways after winning its first three games in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. Keyshawn James-Newby is second in the FCS with 7.5 sacks through eight games. Quarterback Jack Wagner has been solid, picking up wins in his first three starts. Injuries have limited Idaho's effectiveness on the offensive side of the ball. Nate Thomas leads the Vandals with five rushing touchdowns on the season while Jordan Dwyer has five receiving TDS.  

ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON: Eastern Washington is scoring almost 34 points per game while racking up 429.6 yards on offense, with a largely balanced attack. Kekoa Visperas has passed for 13 touchdowns and 1,536 yards with just one interception. Efton Chism III is one of the best receivers in the country with eight TDs and 750 receiving yards through seven games. Tuna Altahir has rushed for 440 yards to lead the EWU rushing attack. Derek Ganter Jr. leads EWU with 52 total tackles and 2.5 TFL this season. 1. TOUGH SCHEDULE: According to the Massey Computer rankings, Idaho has played the fourth-toughest schedule in the FCS to date.  The Vandals played back-to-back FBS opponents in Oregon and Wyoming before hosting a ranked UAlbany team at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome before traveling to Abilene Christian and UC Davis. Idaho hosted a ranked NAU team before playing on the road at Montana State. The Vandals are 5-3 through the first seven games. Idaho's losses are to teams with a combined 22-1 on the season, including 7-0 Oregon, 8-0 Montana State and 7-1 UC Davis. 

2. ECK'S VANDALS TOPPLE THE MOUNTAIN WEST, AGAIN: Idaho is now 2-0 in games against Mountain West programs under Jason Eck after topping Wyoming 17-13 last Saturday in Laramie. The Vandals have given up just 19 total points in two games against Mountain West opponents in the last two seasons and gave up just one touchdown between the two games. The win helps put Idaho in excellent position as it moves into the FCS portion of the schedule. Montana State and Idaho both picked up wins against Mountain West teams this season.

3. YOUTH ON OFFENSE: There are 54 offensive players listed on the Idaho roster. One, transfer tight end Mike Martinez,  is listed as a senior. Out of the 54, 46 are listed as freshmen or sophomores. The youth movement on the Idaho offense is real, but the talent is there to match after the Vandals put together Top-10 FCS recruiting classes each of the last two years. 

4. STARTING FRESHmen:  Season opening starting quarterback Jack Layne was injured in the fourth quarter of Idaho's season opener at Oregon. He is getting closer to returning, but redshirt freshman Jack Wagner started the Wyoming game by completing his first eight passes before end the game at 12-21 for 101 yards and a touchdown.  He didn't throw an interception and was sacked just once in the 17-13. He had another solid performance against UAlbany, throwing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Idaho is 7-2 under Eck when the season opening back up QBs starts the game. After an injury to Nick Josifek, true freshman Rocco Koch saw time against Cal Poly. 

5. EXPERIENCE IN THE TRENCHES: Idaho has replaced starters at nearly every skilled position on offense, both corner positions and two of three linebackers, but the line is a different story. Seven of the 10 offensive linemen on the final depth chart of last season return, including four starters. On the defense, six of the eight return, including all four starters from last season. Last year, nine of the 10 players on the O-line depth chart were freshmen or sophomores and while there is still not a single senior on the O-line, the group has the game experience of a much older squad. 

6. DOMINANT D-LINE: The Idaho defensive line has shown that it can play with anyone. It faced two strong FBS units and came away with a Big Sky Conference leading seven sacks. Keyshawn James-Newby is second in the FCS with 7.5 total sacks through eight games, surpassing his total of five from all of last year. The Vandals held Oregon to just 24 points, the first time an FCS team has ever held Oregon under 35 points. Xavier Slayton has 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks. Idaho has held three of eight opponents under 80 yards rushing.