Vandals host Eastern Washington – University of Idaho Athletics

MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho will look to make it a third straight berth in the Che Scow Cup Series when Eastern Washington travels to the P1FCU Kibbie Dome to take on the 11th-seeded Vandals. Idaho enters the game with a record of 5-3, while EWU has a record of 2-5 on the year. Despite the record, Eastern brings a dynamic offensive attack to the game to take on the battle-tested Vandals.

ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals are playing at home for the second week in a row and Idaho looks to continue its home winning streak after winning its first three games at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. Keyshawn James Newby is second in the FCS with 7.5 sacks in eight games. quarterback Jack Wagner was solid, picking up wins in his first three starts. Injuries have limited Idaho's effectiveness on the offensive side of the ball. Nate Thomas leads the Vandals with five rushing touchdowns this season Jordan Dwyer has five receiving TDS.

ABOUT EASTERN WAASHINGTON: Eastern Washington scores nearly 34 points per game, accumulates 429.6 yards of offense and has a largely balanced attack. Kekoa Visperas has passed for 13 touchdowns and 1,536 yards with just one interception. Efton Chism III is one of the best receivers in the country with eight TDs and 750 receiving yards in seven games. Tuna Altahir rushed for 440 yards to lead the EWU attack. Derek Ganter Jr. leads EWU with 52 total tackles and 2.5 TFL this season.

CHOOSE SIX

1. HEAVY SCHEDULE: Idaho has played the fourth-toughest schedule in the FCS to date, according to the Massey Computer rankings. The Vandals played consecutive FBS opponents at Oregon and Wyoming before hosting a ranked UAlbany team at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome before traveling to Abilene Christian and UC Davis. Idaho hosted a ranked NAU team before playing Montana State on the road. The Vandals are 5-3 in their first seven games. Idaho's losses come against teams that are 22-1 overall this season, including 7-0 Oregon, 8-0 Montana State and 7-1 UC Davis.

2. ECK'S VANDALS OVERFLOW THE MOUNTAIN WEST AGAIN: Idaho is now 2-0 in games against Mountain West programs Jason Eck after defeating Wyoming 17-13 last Saturday in Laramie. The Vandals have given up a total of just 19 points in two games against Mountain West opponents over the last two seasons and have allowed just one touchdown between the two games. The win helps put Idaho in a great position to advance to the FCS portion of the schedule. Montana State and Idaho both picked up wins against Mountain West teams this season.

3. YOUTH IN INJURY: There are 54 offensive players listed on Idaho's roster. First: transfer tight end Mike Martínezis listed as senior. Of the 54, 46 are listed as freshmen or sophomores. The youth movement in Idaho's offense is real, but the talent to match is there after the Vandals compiled top-10 recruiting classes in the FCS each of the last two years.

4. Freshers: Starting quarterback to open the season Jack Layne was injured in the fourth quarter of Idaho's season opener at Oregon. He is close to returning but is a redshirt freshman Jack Wagner started the Wyoming game catching his first eight passes before finishing the game 12-21 for 101 yards and a touchdown. He threw no interceptions and was sacked only once in the 17-13 season. He had another solid performance against UAlbany, throwing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Idaho is 7-2 under corner as the season-opening backup QBs start the game. After an injury to Nick Josifektrue newbie Rocco Koch saw time against Cal Poly.

5. EXPERIENCE IN THE TRENCHES: Idaho has replaced starters at almost every experienced position on offense, both at corner and two of three linebackers, but the lineup is a different story. Seven of last season's 10 offensive linemen return, including four starters. On defense, six of the eight return, including all four starters from last season. Last year, nine of the 10 players on the O-line depth chart were freshmen or sophomores, and while there still isn't a single senior on the O-line, the group has the playing experience of a much older team.

6. DOMINANT D-LINE: Idaho's defensive line has shown it can play with anyone. It faced two strong FBS units and came away with seven sacks in a Big Sky Conference win. Keyshawn James Newby is second in the FCS with 7.5 total sacks in eight games, surpassing his total of five sacks all of last year. The Vandals held Oregon to just 24 points, the first time an FCS team held Oregon to under 35 points. Xavier Slayton has 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks. Idaho has held three of eight opponents under 80 yards.