MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho has won three straight games and looks to continue to build momentum to the playoffs with a game against Weber State in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. Weber State has lost four straight, but has a road win over Montana under its belt and is looking to get back on track against the Vandals. It is senior day for the Vandals. The game will be broadcast on SWX.
ABOUT IDAHO: Against Portland State, Idaho put up big numbers on the ground behind redshirt freshman
Deshaun Buchanan's 212 yards on the ground. quarterback
Jack Wagner returned to the starting lineup against Portland State, but
Jack Layne is still hoping to be ready Saturday.
Keyshawn James-Newby is first in the Big Sky with 9.0 sacks through 10 games. Injuries have limited Idaho's effectiveness on the offensive side of the ball. Leading rushers
Nate Thomas and
Elisha Cummings have missed time with injuries.
Jordan Dwyer has a team-high seven receiving TDS.
ABOUT WEBER STATE: Weber State brings a balanced attack into the dome. The Wildcats are rushing for 210.5 yards per game, good enough for 10th in the FCS. Damon Bankston leads the way with over 105 yards per game while dual-threat QB Richie Muñoz has thrown for 2,173 yards and rushed for 289. They have hit the 500-yd offense mark four times this season. Defensively, Weber ranks 80th in total defense and 81st in scoring defense. They struggle in the red zone, and are ranked 97th in red zone offense and 105th in red zone defense. Former Vandal Kemari Munier Bailey leads the team with 7.5 sacks and 14.5 TFLs. Head coach Mickey Mental is in his second year as head coach.
PICK SIX
1. TOUGH SCHEDULE: According to the Massey Computer rankings, Idaho has played the fifth-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 26-1 on the season, including 10-0 Oregon, 10-0 Montana State and 9-1 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 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. QUARTERBACK QUESTIONS: Season opening starting quarterback
Jack Layne was injured in the fourth quarter of Idaho's season opener at Oregon. He returned to action against Eastern Washington, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 17-28 passing, but missed a last week's game against Portland State.
Jack Wagner's performance in the stretch without Layne was good enough to earn him a Jerry Rice Award Watch List nod. He was 11-17 for 205 yards and a touchdown against PSU.
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 leads the Big Sky with 9.0 total sacks through nine games, surpassing his total of five from all of last year. He also has 13.0 TFLs and 10 QB hurries. The Vandals held Oregon to just 24 points, the first time an FCS team has ever held Oregon under 35 points.
Xavier Slayton has 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks. Idaho has held three of 10 opponents under 80 yards rushing.
