Vandals expect another tough game with UNLV

Their opponent is coming off an opening game in which it lost 43-40 to a team it was favored to beat by 45 points.

It’s a loss that, based on the point spread, is the biggest upset in college football history.

Still, the Idaho Vandals (1-0) swear they’re not taking UNLV (0-1), which visits the Kibbie Dome for a 4 p.m. clash today with the Vandals, lightly.

“I’m going to expect the same team that we played last year,” Idaho senior wide receiver Jacob Sannon said.

Last year in Sin City, Idaho trumped UNLV’s field goal with a touchdown on its first possession of overtime for a 33-30 victory over the Rebels.

Idaho went on to finish 9-4, capped by a victory in its first bowl game in seven seasons.

UNLV went on to finish 4-8.

This year, UNLV couldn’t beat Howard in its opener.

“I think they got caught by a really young quarterback who made plays,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said of the loss to Howard. “They’re a good team; it took us until the last play of the game to beat ’em last year.”

UNLV rushed for 355 yards against Howard — 151 by Lexington Thomas — but lost three fumbles. Redshirt freshman quarterback Armani Rogers threw for 220 yards and ran for another 82.

Senior wide receiver Devonte Boyd, who caught four passes for 105 yards and a touchdown last week, ranks No. 3 nationally in receiving yards among active players.

“They ran the ball really well,” Petrino said. “Boyd is a good receiver, and (receiver Kendyl) Keys is coming back this week. They have a lot of talent on offense, a lot of weapons. The quarterback is a big young guy that runs around and makes plays. He’s got good speed, and he’s athletic.”

Idaho is seeking its first 2-0 start since 1998 — its third season as an FBS member.