Idaho has lost four straight games and three straight in conference play. The Vandals (2-5, 0-3 Big Sky) are attempting to get back in the win column as they face the Portland State Vikings (0-7, 0-3) at 1 p.m. today (SWX/ESPN+) at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome in Moscow.
This will be the 18th time that the teams have played each other in a series dating back to 1970. Idaho has a 15-2 overall record against Portland State, has won the last three meetings and has defeated the Vikings in five of the last six encounters.
After snapping their eight-game winning streak at the Kibbie Dome two weeks ago, Idaho headman Thomas Ford Jr. said getting back on track at home will be crucial.
“It’s huge,” Ford said. “We ended a home streak last time we played in the Dome and we want to start a new one this weekend. And I think that’s critical. We want to make sure that we’re giving our home fan base what they’re coming to see, and that’s a Vandal to win.”
Attempting to get back in the win column
It will be Military Appreciation weekend during the game and the Vandals will welcome the men and women of the armed forces to the Dome.
The Vandals have to essentially win out the rest of the way to finish at 7-5 and have any shot at an FCS playoffs spot, but Ford said concentrating on one game at a time will be the Vandals’ priority.
“I think you can’t focus on all of them,” Ford said. “You gotta focus on one at a time. And our sole focus this week is, ‘What are the ways we can put our players in the best position to beat Portland State?’”
Against Eastern Washington last week, Ford said that he thought that the defense played well enough to keep them in the game, but the offensive struggles led to the loss. He said there can be no excuses made, no matter if Idaho is playing with a third-string, fourth-string or a fifth-string quarterback. He said that the team needs to find a way to win either way.
“And that’s really our message,” Ford said, “is we’re going to do a better job as coaches, put these guys in a great position to be successful, and we’re going to focus all of our energies on being positive and taking advantage of all the strengths that we do have, and bringing those to the forefront of our game plans on both offense, defense and then certainly special teams.”
Offensive changes with QB Joshua Wood expected back
For the past two weeks, the Vandals have been playing with their No. 3 quarterback in Jack Wagner, No. 4 QB in Rocco Koch and even their No. 5 in Nick Josifek during the fourth quarter against EWU.
The offense failed to get much of anything going last Saturday as it only scored 14 points against the Eagles.
This week, however, the usual starting quarterback, Joshua Wood, is expected back. Wood suffered a lower-body injury against the Montana Grizzlies on Sept. 27, missing nearly a month, including the bye week.
The No. 2 QB, true freshman Sawyer Teeney, is also expected back after he sustained an ankle injury in practice a few weeks ago. Ford said that Wood is expected back, but if not, the Vandals can roll with their second-string quarterback in Teeney.
“All indications point that Joshua (Wood) will be back this week in the lineup for us,” Ford said. “He’s going to be able to practice tomorrow, and we’re very excited to get him back.”
Ford said that Wood has been dynamic with his legs and his arm and has been a great decision-maker with the ball, something that the Vandals have struggled with in his absence.
“And so having him back, I think, will be huge, not only for our offense, but just for our team in general,” Ford said. “He’s one of our team captains and is a guy that’s always going to be leading, but it’s always a lot easier to lead when you’re playing. And so I think that’s going to be a huge boost for our group.”
