The University of Idaho Vandals kick off the 2010 season Thursday night against the University of North Dakota with, admittedly, a bit of a chip on their shoulders as they go about proving their 2009 bowl championship campaign was not a fluke.
"We've got something to prove," said coach Robb Akey as the Vandals set their sights on bettering their 8-5 Humanitarian Bowl championship campaign of a year ago. "There is a desire to out-do what last year's team was able to do."
Kickoff at the Kibbie Dome is 6 p.m. The game is on Altitude TV (Dish Channel 410 and DirecTV 681) as well as the Go Vandals Radio Network and Vandal Extra on www.GoVandals.com.
The first hurdle in quieting the naysayers is the University of North Dakota, which comes to Moscow with a 6-5 overall mark and 2-2 (good for second) in the Football Championship Subdivision Great West Conference. Despite the difference in divisions, Akey is quick to say the Fighting Sioux are not to be taken lightly.
"They're a good football team," Akey said. "This is our first game of the season. It's not a preparation game.
"They have 14 starters coming back and they're strong in the secondary. They do some things with their offense - the pistol and the no-huddle. They want to create some issues for you. ... They're going to want to come in here and make something happen."
For Akey and his staff, this year the Vandals, too, have veterans returning and depth - a luxury at only a position or two as he rebuilt the Vandals during the first two years of his tenure. Most of the returners are on defense where 10 of 11 are back. The better news? More than one of the returners is battling for his starting position because of the up-and-coming talent behind him.
Offensively, Matt Cleveland was the lone starter standing after four graduated in the spring of 2010. The good news here? The same five started working together early in fall camp and have secured the starting roles to form the nucleus of the offense. They'll be protecting one of the nation's best quarterbacks in senior Nathan Enderle, who is on the Davey O'Brien, Manning Award and Unitas Golden Arm watch lists. He has a multitude of familiar faces to whom to throw and two veterans are returning to the backfield.
"I like the fact that we have more depth," Akey said in assessing the 2010 roster. "I like the fact I see us performing better on defense. I like the fact we're talking about some weapons we can get the football to a number of guys that have already made plays for us. Those things are very positive."
