Tough opener for Vandals in Fresno

Idaho’s first game since 1995 as an FCS school, naturally, is against an team from the FBS — the division the Vandals just left.

Fresno State is coming off a 10-win season which includes a regular season win over Mountain West bully Boise State, followed by a narrow loss to the Broncos in the conference title game.

“There’s no doubt everybody in the world thinks they are going to beat us ... but that’s why you play the game,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “I think we’ve got some good ideas (in the game plan), but we’ve got to have some good execution.”

Petrino said a key for Idaho defensively is to stop the run and slow down Fresno receiver Keesean Johnson, who is on the Biletnikoff Award watch list.

“Coach (Jeff) Tedford did an unbelievable job last year of turning it around,” Petrino said. “They’re going to pound the ball at you, and try to get big plays.

They have good receivers, especially No. 3 — he can really go make things happen.”

Fresno’s quarterback is Oregon State transfer Marcus McMaryion.

Petrino said the strength of Fresno State’s defense is its linebackers — middle linebacker Jeff Allison, and outside ’backers George Helmuth and James Bailey.

NOTES: Idaho and Fresno State were both members of the Western Athletic Conference from 2005-11. Fresno won all seven meetings during that time. ... Tonight’s game will be produced by Stadium and broadcast exclusively on Facebook. A link is available at GoVandals.com. Kelli Johnson, former Moscow High and University of Idaho basketball standout, will be the sideline reporter on the broadcast