MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho heads to the high elevation of southeastern Wyoming in a match up of two teams who are seeking their first victory. The Vandals dropped the season opener in 24-14 battle against No. 3 Oregon at Autzen Stadium. Wyoming gave up an interception return TD on their first possession and Arizona State rattled off 48 consecutive points before the Cowboys got into the end zone in the final seconds of the game. Despite the teams residing in bordering states, this will be just the ninth meeting in the series history. Idaho has never won in Laramie. 

ABOUT IDAHO: In two seasons under head coach Jason Eck, the Vandals have reestablished themselves as a Big Sky Conference and FCS Power. A position they enjoyed in the late 80s and early 90s before moving to the FBS for over 20 years. The Vandals made back-to-back FCS playoff appearances and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2023. Idaho returns the bulk of its defense from last year, but lost a large percentage of the offensive firepower. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Wagner takes over as the starting quarterback after an injury to Jack Layne in the season opener. Sack leaders Dallas Afalava and Keyshawn James-Newby anchor a veteran defensive line. 

ABOUT WYOMING: The Cowboys are down but eager to respond after week one. Their stingy defense was among the best in the Mountain West in 2023 and three  players were named to the MW Preseason All-Conference team. John Michael Gyllenbord was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list for the best tight end in college football. First-year head coach Jay Sawvel was previously the Cowboys Defensive Coordinator and like Eck, cut his teeth at DII and FCS schools in the Midwest. 
1. ECK'S VANDALS AGAINST THE MOUNTAIN WEST: Idaho has played just one game against a Mountain West school since Jason Eck took over before the 2022 season. The Vandals went to Reno in week two last season and controlled the entire game en route to a 33-6 win over Nevada. The Vandals scored on the first play from scrimmage and never looked back. Idaho has played five games against FBS schools, going 1-4 in those games, but playing close each time, with the largest margin of victory at 14 points. 

2. ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Idaho opens with four of its first five games on the road to start the season. The Vandals head to back-to-back FBS opponents in Oregon and Wyoming, before the season home opener against UAlbany on Sept. 14 at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. The Vandals close the non-conference with a game at Abilene Christian before traveling to UC Davis for the Big Sky opener. The Vandals opened the 2023 season with five of the first six games on the road and went 5-1 in that stretch, the only loss coming against Cal. In the first two seasons under coach Eck, Idaho won as many road games (eight) as the previous six seasons. 

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 FRESHman:  Season opening starting quarterback Jack Layne was injured in the fourth quarter of Idaho's season opener at Oregon. He is expected to be out for an extended period of time, opening the door for redshirt freshman Jack Wagner to step into the starting roll for the first time of his career. Wagner has thrown passes in just two previous games, a blowout win over Idaho State in 2023 and two passes in last week's game against Oregon. He is 4-7 for 41 yards, a touchdown and an interception in limited action. 

5. EXPERIENCE IN THE TRENCHES: Idaho needs to replace 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 the 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. SPECIAL TEAMS: Idaho ranked among the best teams in the FCS in both kick return yards and punt return yards thanks to Jermaine Jackson who rode his return skills to an NFL camp. What do you do to replace that? How about grab a transfer who has five 100-yard kick return touchdowns in his career. Abraham Williams delivers an immediate threat to any team who gives him an opportunity to make a return. He is just two kick return touchdowns away from tying the NCAA FCS All-Time kick return career record of seven. Kicker and punter Ricardo Chavez graduated and left a void. LJ Harm will look to take over punting duties, with Cameron Pope looking to kick field goals and true freshman Owen Adams taking over kickoff duties.