Vandals hit road backed by confident 'D'

It's a sight that hasn't been seen much around the Idaho football team in recent years - the Vandals actually stopping somebody on defense.

But this year, Idaho (2-1) has one shutout on its resume - its first shutout since 1997 - and nearly had a second last week, until yielding a late touchdown in a 30-7 victory over UNLV.

What gives?

"You're seeing fewer big plays," said fourth-year coach Robb Akey, noting his defenders are executing their assignments better. "We're performing better on third downs, our takeaways are improved. We're getting better pressure on the quarterback. I think we're playing some better coverage as well. A stronger run defense, although we still need to get some of those run yards brought down."

Idaho travels to Fort Collins, Colo., on Saturday to face Colorado State (0-3) of the Mountain West Conference.

Last year, Idaho gave up 36 points and 451 yards per game. This year, Idaho is allowing 15 points and 309.3 yards per game. Idaho leads the nation in red-zone defense, allowing only three scores (two touchdowns and a field goal) in eight possessions. Idaho is tied for the national lead with seven fumble recoveries, and tied for fourth nationally with 11 total takeaways. The Vandals are tied for 22nd nationally with 3.0 sacks per game; Idaho had just 15 sacks in 13 games last year. UNLV's 187 yards last week were the fewest by an Idaho opponent since Utah State managed just 171 yards in a 1999 game.

"They're playing with confidence now, and that's due to having success," Akey said. "The size and strength and speed is better. And it's the first time we haven't had a bunch of new faces in the defense (10 starters returned from last year on defense, though not all are starting this year). They're carrying a better swagger about them. We're more effective blitzing."

Akey said Idaho defensive coordinator Mark Criner and his coaches aren't doing anything different than they did the first three years - the players are just more experienced, bigger, stronger and faster, and more used to the system. And they've stuck with the plan, even through the lean years.

"And they've got a talented coaching staff that hasn't panicked in the process of working to grow them up," Akey said. "I think one of the worst things in the world you can do is try to have a defense of the week or offense of the week. If you're doing all that stuff, you don't have anything you can believe in.

"Mark Criner is doing a fantastic job. He was doing a fantastic job for the first three years ... in fact, you work harder in the years when your outfits are struggling. But nothing's really changed, to be honest with you, other than we're performing better."

Notes: Saturday's game will not be televised. ... Akey, who grew up in Colorado Springs, said he'll have some 40 family members on hand for the game. ... Akey said right guard Tevita Halaholo (stingers) and nose tackle Jonah Sataraka (illness) should be back this week, after missing the UNLV game. ... Idaho isn't home again until Oct. 23 vs. New Mexico State. The Vandals travel to Western Michigan next week then, following a bye, open Western Athletic Conference play Oct. 16 at Louisiana Tech. ... Idaho has now won its last three games vs. Mountain West schools. The Vandals beat San Diego State and Colorado State last year, and UNLV last week. ... Colorado State has lost 12 in a row. CSU's loss in Moscow last year was its second straight following three wins to open the season. The Rams then lost their next seven to finish 3-9, then dropped their first three this season. ... Akey said he wanted to "thank everybody that was there" after Idaho drew a raucous, near-sellout crowd of 15,390 last week vs. UNLV. "The place was packed, it was loud - the way I envision it being. That's the kind of atmosphere that I expect to see in the Dome."