Vandals pass 'D' cause for concern
Lots of things went well for the Idaho Vandals in their 40-37 overtime loss to Wyoming last Saturday in the Kibbie Dome, which dropped the Vandals' record to 0-4.
But one thing that didn't go well was Idaho's pass defense, which allowed 365 yards to the Cowboys. In addition to giving up big plays, the Vandal defenders have had particular troubles with high balls, where the opposing receivers are making better plays on the ball than the Vandals. The Idaho defender was outjumped on Wyoming's winning touchdown in OT.
So, this week, Idaho coach Robb Akey said they would be putting helmet cams on the defensive backs.
"We've got to make better plays on the ball," he said. "We're going to put helmet cams on those guys so we can help them see where their eyes are.
"We don't need to change any scheme; we've got to make that play on that high ball better."
Akey said he's used helmet cams on quarterbacks and linebackers mostly, as well as safeties at times. He said the passing yards are not solely the defensive backs' fault; a better pass rush would help as well. Idaho has nine sacks in four games this season.
The opposition is completing 60.6 percent of its passes for an average of 282.5 yards per game, and the Vandals have picked off three passes.
"There's no need for scheme changes; it's just a matter of making more plays," he said.
* Leaving early: Idaho was scheduled to leave today for Chapel Hill, N.C., site of Saturday's game with North Carolina (2-2). The Vandals usually leave on Friday for Saturday road games. Last year, also playing in the eastern time zone, Idaho left on Thursday for a game at Virginia, and battled the Cavaliers into overtime before falling.
“We put a lot of research into, whether it was the right thing to do,” Akey said. “It was obvious that it was the right thing to do; we could see it in how the players carried themselves. I don’t like leaving a day early ... but it’s what we need to do.”
• Looking on the bright side: Idaho was 1-4 last year in games decided by eight points or less. This year, the Vandals are 0-2.
In his Monday teleconference with area media, Akey went to great lengths to praise several players on both sides of the ball. He refuses to focus on the negative, which he says “the outside world” is doing enough of already.
“To the outside world, I’ve got to be the worst coach in the country, and we’ve got to be one of the worst programs ever created on God’s green earth,” Akey said. “But that’s not where we’re at, and they (his players) are not going to hear that from me.”
His mantra — just one more play.
“We were one play away from sitting in here and talking about how happy we are about finally getting the monkey off our back,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure our guys see that.”
• Notes: This will be only Idaho’s second game vs. an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent. The first one was last year at Virginia. ... Idaho’s top two pass catchers are newcomers this year — Najee Lovett, a junior college transfer, has 22 catches for 227 yards. Jarie Level has 20 receptions for 206 yards. Senior Mike Scott, Idaho’s top receiver last year, has 18 receptions for 184 yards.