A measuring stick for Vandals

By MARK NELKE

Sports editor

Arkansas State is a once and future Sun Belt Conference football foe of the Idaho Vandals.

The two teams actually met in 2000 as Big West Conference members, then as Sun Belt foes from 2001-04. Arkansas State won three of the five matchups then, though all the games were close.

Arkansas State (2-3), which hosts Idaho (1-5) today at Liberty Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Ark., will be Sun Belt foes again next year.

"That's a good place to see where we're at," They were the class of that conference for two years, both of the guys that coached them the last two years are now SEC coaches. one (Hugh Freeze) at Ole Miss, one (Gus Malzahn) at Auburn. They're probably still one of the best teams in the league. We can judge ourselves where we're at, and how much better we've got to get to win it next year."

Former Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin is Arkansas State's coach this season.

Arkansas State senior quarterback Adam Kennedy leads the Sun Belt in total offense. He has thrown for 1,199 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions, and has rushed for 216 yards (minus 75 in sacks).

One point of emphasis for Idaho - hit the opposing quarterback. Petrino said the Vandals did not hit Fresno State QB Derek Carr once last week.

"We have to get pressure on their quarterback," Petrino said. "We have to hit him. He's a good runner; he does a good job in their read zone."

Arkansas State is listed as a 24 1/2-point favorite.