Vandals' QB decision still up in the air

Idaho's starting quarterback for this Saturday's game at San Jose State will be ... determined later in the week.

Vandals coach Robb Akey switched QBs for last Saturday's game vs. Hawaii, giving sophomore Taylor Davis his first start - which likely explains why practices were closed to the media last week.

Davis completed 6 of 17 passes for 33 yards, and was intercepted once on a pass he threw late, across his body, over the middle in the first quarter.

Brian Reader, a senior who had started the first seven games, replaced Davis in the fourth quarter. He was 5 of 7 for 52 yards, but he threw an interception late in the fourth quarter, deep in Hawaii territory, which the Warriors turned into a field goal that eventually won the game 16-14.

"As a whole, our offense wasn't good enough," Akey said. "We were able to run the ball better. But both quarterbacks had opportunities to make some things happen, that didn't work out the way that we would have liked. To throw for 85 yards in a ballgame, something's not getting done real well in that respect."

Both Davis and Reader will get a good look this week in practice, Akey said, before he settles on a starter. Akey said Davis impressed coaches in fall camp with his mobility and his ability to make plays.

Injury report: Wide receiver/kick returner Justin Veltung re-aggravated his injured turf in the third quarter on Saturday, and Akey said he was questionable for this week. Moments earlier, wide receiver Armauni Johnson suffered a broken arm, and will be out a while. Throw in Preston Davis, who hasn't played all season because of knee injury, and Idaho is missing three of its top receivers.

Akey said that's why some players who haven't played much to date found themselves on the field Saturday.

"We're not sticking a fork in this one, we're trying to get a game won," Akey said. "We're not just getting guys ready for the future, no."

Tracy Carter, who was head-butted by teammate Quayshawne Buckley and knocked woozy after returning a fumble 70 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to give Idaho a 14-13 lead, should be ready this week, Akey said.

Notes: Idaho's game at BYU on Nov. 12 will be televised by ESPN2 at 6:15 p.m. PST ... A few weeks ago, Idaho started tinkering with a defensive formation where linebackers lined up at defensive end and rushed the passer. The Vandals had two sacks through their first four games, but have had 12 sacks in their last four. Last week, Idaho sacked Hawaii's Bryant Moniz six times, with linebacker Conrad Scheidt getting two of them. Linebackers Korey Toomer and Homer Mauga have also been effective rushing the passer from that position. "As soon as we went to that package with those guys coming from the defensive end position, that's when we started getting better pressure on the quarterbacks," Akey said ... Told by a reporter that the athletic directors at Idaho and Hawaii were discussing continuing the series - even though Hawaii is leaving the WAC after this season for the Mountain West, Akey replied, "That'd be great."