2008 Idaho Vandals Season

2008 Idaho Vandals Season, Game Recaps, Scores and Reviews

2008 Idaho Vandals

Nov. 22
Hawaii 49 … Idaho 17
Greg Alexander threw three touchdown passes and ran for a one-yard score as Hawaii had few problems after getting down 7-0. Idaho got two Nathan Enderle touchdown passes, but he threw three interceptions and finished with just 170 passing yards. The Warriors pulled away with a 21-point midgame run highlighted by a 36-yard Malcolm Lane touchdown catch. Daniel Libre ran for two second half scores.
Player of the game: Hawaii LB Solomon Elimimian made 13 tackles, 10 of them solo, and two tackles for loss
Stat Leaders: Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 19-31, 164 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 17-49. Receiving: Lee Smith, 6-47
Hawaii - Passing: Greg Alexander, 14-24, 264 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Kealoha Pilares, 5-26 1 TD. Receiving: Malcolm Lane, 4-144, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Closing out the season at Hawaii wasn’t as fun as it was supposed to be. The trip to the warm weather might have been nice, but the offense didn’t show up as the running game was held in check from the start and Nathan Enderle wasn’t able to do much with the passing game to pick up the slack. The defense struggled against Greg Alexander and the Warrior passing game, but that wasn’t the problem. Going into next year, the team has to find something consistent on offense it can count on.

- 2008 Idaho Preview
- 2007 Idaho Season

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 2-10
2008 Record: 2-10

Aug. 30 at Arizona L 70-0
Sept. 6 Idaho State W 42-27
Sept. 13 Western Mich L 51-28
Sept. 20 at Utah State L 42-17
Sept. 27 at SDSU L 45-17
Oct. 4 Nevada L 49-14
Oct. 11 at Fresno State L 45-32
Oct. 18 at La Tech L 46-14
Oct. 25 New Mexico St W 20-14
Nov. 1 San Jose State L 30-24
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 15 Boise State W 45-10
Nov. 22 at Hawaii L 49-17
Nov. 29 OPEN DATE

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 3-9
2007 Record: 1-11

Sept. 1 at USC L 38-10
Sept. 8 Cal Poly W 20-13
Sept. 15 at Wash St L 45-28
Sept. 22 No Illinois L 35-24
Sept. 29 Hawaii L 48-20
Oct. 6 at San Jose St L 28-20
Oct. 13 Fresno State L 37-24
Oct. 20 at NMSU L 45-31
Oct. 27 at Nevada L 37-21
Nov. 3 La Tech L 38-16
Nov. 17 at Boise State L 58-14
Nov. 24 Utah State L 24-19

Nov. 15
Boise State 45 … Idaho 10
Idaho got a wild 81-yard touchdown in the opening minute of the game as Daniel Hardy caught pass, was spun around, maintained his balance, and blew past the Boise State defense who thought he was down. That was it for the Idaho highlights as Boise State ripped off 525 yards of total offense with Jeremy Avery giving the team its first 100-yard rusher of the season. Avery ran for a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 57-yarder in the third, and the defense and special teams got in the act with Kyle Wilson taking a punt79 yards for a touchdown and Ellis Powers returning a fumble 45 yards for a score. The Broncos scored the final 28 points of the game.
Player of the game: Boise State RB Jeremy Avery ran 11 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 15-26, 225 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 15-53. Receiving: Daniel Hardy, 4-91, 1 TD
Boise State - Passing: Kellen Moore, 23-31, 210 yds
Rushing: Jeremy Avery, 11-156, 2 TD. Receiving: Jeremy Childs, 11-99
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Idaho wasn’t awful against Boise State, but it was never in the game after the first half because the offense doesn’t know how to score. While the Broncos were finding ways to make things happen with the defense and on special teams, along with 315 rushing yards, Idaho couldn’t get its ground game going and Nathan Enderle didn’t lead the way to points to keep up the pace. Next week’s trip to Hawaii will finish up the season, and while the pass defense will be tested, it’ll be up to the Vandal offense to hold up against a surprisingly physical Warrior defense.

Nov. 1
San Jose State 30 … Idaho 24
San Jose State got touchdown catches from David Richmond from 63 and 35 yards out in what appeared to be an easy win, and then Idaho came up big late. Princeton McCarty ran for a 14-yard score early in the fourth quarter and Eddie Williams caught a three-yard touchdown pass with 2:39 to play, but the Spartans recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. Jared Strubeck hit three field goals for the Spartans.
Player of the game: San Jose State WR David Richmond caught eight passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 10-19, 138 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 10-78. Receiving: Eddie Williams, 5-51, 1 TD
San Jose State - Passing: Myles Eden, 23-31, 295, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Yonus Davis, 10-48, 1 TD. Receiving: David Richmond, 8-138, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... As was the case last year, Idaho isn’t very good, but it puts up a great fight and it doesn’t get down on itself after getting down it games. San Jose State should’ve been able to open it up in the fourth quarter, but instead, the Vandals came back and got on enough of a roll to potentially pull off the upset if they were able to come up with an onside kick. With a week off to prepare for Boise State, the offense needs to come up with a few wrinkles to try to get some early points against the nasty Bronco D.

Oct. 25
Idaho 20 … New Mexico State 14
Idaho got 160 yards and a 54-yard touchdown run from Princeton Murphy, while the defense kept the NMSU offense in check. Josh Shaw came up with two sacks as part of the constant pressure on Aggie QB Chase Holbrook, but the passing game had a little success in the second quarter with two Chris Williams touchdown catches from 18 and 13 yards out. That was it for the NMSU offense as Idaho took advantage of four turnovers to seal the win. Tino Amancio hit field goals from 52 and 51 yards out, and Daniel Hardy caught a three-yard touchdown pass.  
Player of the game: Idaho RB Princeton McCarty ran 15 times for 160 yards and a touchdown, and DE Josh Shaw made 10 tackles and two sacks
Stat Leaders: New Mexico State - Passing: Chase Holbrook, 37-47, 324 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Tony Glynn, 10-37. Receiving: Chris Williams, 13-112, 2 TD
Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 7-18, 59 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Princeton McCarty, 15-160, 1 TD. Receiving: Eddie Williams, 2-32
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Where did this come from? The defense had done absolutely nothing all year long, and then it pinned its ears back and got into the backfield time and again to get by New Mexico State. This win might not turn around the season, but with home games against San Jose State and Boise State ahead, there’s a confidence that the team can actually play at home. Getting the running game going also helps. Princeton McCarty has to be even better over the next few weeks.

Oct. 18
Louisiana Tech 46 … Idaho 14
Idaho opened up the scoring with a 33-yard Kama Bailey touchdown catch, and then it was all Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs scored 30 straight points helped by four touchdown runs from four different players. Phillip Livas ripped off a 72-yard scoring dash, while Daniel Porter ran for scores from one and 17 yards out. The Idaho offense only gained 239 yards and turned it over three times.
Player of the game: Louisiana Tech RB Daniel Porter ran 23 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught a pass for six yards
Stat Leaders: Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 19-33, 203 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Troy Vital, 4-11. Receiving: Max Komar, 5-69
Louisiana Tech - Passing: Ross Jenkins, 13-20, 192 yds
Rushing: Daniel Porter, 23-145, 2 TD. Receiving: Dennis Morris, 4-121
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Deonte Jackson, last season’s star of the Idaho offense, only gained five yards on six carries against Louisiana Tech. As a team, the Vandals netted a grand total of 15 yards on the ground. Nathan Enderle is playing better, but Idaho can’t win, and can’t be competitive, on the passing game alone. The running game has to get working in a big hurry to get the defense off the field and give it a chance to rest up and be effective. At the moment, Idaho doesn’t appear to be able to say within two touchdowns of anyone left on the schedule.

Oct. 11
Fresno State 45 … Idaho 32
Fresno State got more than it might have wanted as Idaho came back in the fourth quarter to pull within 10 on a two-yard Deonte Jackson touchdown, Nathan Enderle’s third scoring pass of the game, but Fresno State was able to stay comfortably ahead with a 46-yard Kevin Goessling field goal. The Bulldogs ran for 318 yards helped by a 90-yard touchdown blast from Lonyae Miller in the third quarter. Seyu Ajirotutu caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the second and fell on a fumble in the end zone as Fresno took a 21-10 lead into halftime.
Player of the game: Fresno State RB Lonyae Miller ran 15 times for 181 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 22-39, 237 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 18-93, 1 TD. Receiving: Isaac Kinter, 4-32
Fresno State - Passing: Tom Brandstater, 14-23, 125 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Lonyae Miller, 15-181, 1 TD. Receiving: Preston Davis, 6-77, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Considering how miserable the season has been so far, Idaho showed signs of offensive life outgaining Fresno State 452 yards to 443. Nathan Enderle had one of his best days under center as he didn’t make many mistakes and he kept the offense moving. It’s a moral victory; the team like last year, doesn’t quit.

Oct. 4
Nevada 49 … Idaho 14
Nevada took advantage of Idaho miscues with Vai Taua running for three short scores and Colin Kaepernick ran for an 18-yard score in the dominant win. The Wolf Pack cranked out 507 yards of total offense, but Idaho had its moments with Eddie Williams catching touchdown passes from 10 and 12 yards. Nevada got up 28-0 before Williams’ first score and was never threatened. The Pack outgained Idaho 264 yards to 24 on the ground.
Player of the game: Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick completed 19-of-24 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran five times for 57 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 18-36, 226 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 15-52. Receiving: Eddie Williams, 10-142, 2 TD
Nevada - Passing: Colin Kaepernick, 19-24, 243 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Vai Taua, 21-90, 3 TD. Receiving: Marko Mitchell, 6-121, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Eddie Williams is having a whale of a season. The senior wide receiver caught 10 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns against Nevada, and he’s the only thing that’s working on either side of the ball. The defense didn’t have a prayer of slowing down the Wolf Pack offense, while the offense, outside of Williams, couldn’t keep up. Worse yet, miscues on special teams led to points. Idaho has to be perfect to beat the better WAC teams, and it’ll have to find something special to stay with Fresno State next week.

Sept. 27
San Diego State 45 … Idaho 17
San Diego State cranked out the first 24 points as Ryan Lindley threw touchdown passes from 41 and 48 yards out to Vincent Brown and Atiyyah Henderson ran for a three-yard score on the way for an easy win. Brown also added a 51-yard touchdown catch midway through the third quarter and Henderson added a four-yard run for a 38-3 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Aztecs rolled up 603 yards while the defense forced four turnovers.
Player of the game: San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley completed 24-of-38 passes for 433 yards and four touchdowns with an interception, and he ran three times for 25 yards.  
Stat Leaders: San Diego State - Passing: Ryan Lindley, 24-38, 433 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Atiyyah Henderson, 21-100, 2 TD. Receiving: Vincent Brown, 8-183, 3 TD
Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 11-28, 112 yds
Rushing: Princeton McCarty, 12-82, 1 TD. Receiving: Eddie Williams, 7-71
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Idaho’s defense remains a complete and utter disaster. To get ripped up by Utah State and San Diego State is awful, but with Nevada and Fresno State coming up, things should only get worse. Nathan Enderle isn’t getting the passing game working, while Deonte Jackson, last year’s star for the running game, hasn’t done anything. The program needs a lot of work. A lot.

Sept. 20
Utah State 42 … Idaho 17
Down 17-14 late in the third quarter, Utah State scored 28 unanswered points starting off with a 15-yard Jeremy Mitchell catch late in the third and punctuated by a sack and a recovered fumble from Ben Calderwood early in the fourth. Robert Turbin ran for a 26-yard touchdown and Curtis Marsh tore off a 41-yard touchdown dash to seal the win. The Aggies outgained the Vandals 5-0 yards to 271, but they allowed two short Nathan Enderle touchdown passes.
Player of the game: Utah State QB Diondre Borel completed 12-of-21 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, and he ran 12 times for 93 yards..
Stat Leaders: Utah State - Passing: Diondre Borel, 12-21, 191 yds, 2 TD, 1INT
Rushing: Robert Turbin, 15-123, 1 TD. Receiving: Stanley Morrison, 3-69
Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 20-35, 161 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 14-52. Receiving: Preston Davis, 6-52, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... And now we’ve hit rock-bottom. Who loses to Utah State by 25 points? Idaho had a shot to pull off the win going into the fourth quarter, even though the defense was struggling a bit and the offense was ineffective for stretches, but the explosion by the Aggies now means it’s back to the drawing board for Idaho. This was the one chance at a win, but there’s a chance make things interesting against a bad San Diego State team next week.

Sept. 13
Western Michigan 51 … Idaho 28
Western Michigan started off the game with a 47-yard interception return for a score from Louis Delmas, but the secondary struggled with Eddie Williams, who caught nine passes for 161 yards and a 50-yard touchdown to tie it at seven. Tied at 14, WMU broke things open with a 23-point third quarter run helped by two Branden Ledbetter touchdown catches and a sack for a safety from Josh Price. Idaho tried to come back with two Nathan Enderle fourth quarter touchdown passes, but WMU stayed ahead with Jamarko Simmons’ second touchdown catch of the game and a 42-yard Drew Burdi field goal.
Player of the game: Western Michigan QB Tim Hiller completed 23-of-31 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Western Michigan - Passing: Tim Hiller, 23-31, 241 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Brandon West, 15-95, 1 TD. Receiving: Jamarko Simmons, 6-86, 2 TD
Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 35-49, 334 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 21-110, 1 TD. Receiving: Eddie Williams, 9-161, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Idaho might have lost big to Western Michigan, and the defense will be an issue all year, but the offense showed a spark of life with Nathan Enderle coming up with a great day and Eddie Williams coming through as a No. 1 target. Deonte Jackson had his 2008 breakthrough game running the ball, but sacks and too many runs stuffed at the line were a problem. The Idaho offensive line has to start playing better.

Sept. 6
Idaho 42 ... Idaho State 27
Maurice Shaw caught a 77-yard touchdown pass on Idaho’s first play from scrimmage, Eric Hunter recovered a blocked punt for a score, and Idaho was on its way. The Vandals got up 35-7 helped by an 18-yard Deonte Jackson run and a 15-yard Eddie Williams catch for second quarter scores, and then the Idaho State passing game went to work. Eddie Williams finished with 17 catches for 120 yards and a nine-yard score, while Russel Hill finished with three second half touchdown passes.
Player of the game:  In a losing cause, Idaho State WR Eddie Williams caught 17 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 8-12, 170 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 12-100, 1 TD  Receiving: Maurice Shaw, 3-99, 1 TD
Idaho State - Passing: Russell Hill, 36-65, 308 yds, 4 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Ken Cornist, 10-58. Receiving: Eddie Thompson, 17-120, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Vandals just need wins. Beating Idaho State might not be that big a deal to some, but it was a desperately needed stepping-stone for an Idaho team that can’t take any team for granted. Nathan Enderle, after a disastrous opening day against Arizona, was solid throwing the ball, but it was the defense that came off a 70-0 to the Wildcats that came up big. Ten different Vandals ran the ball.

Aug. 30
Arizona 70 ... Idaho 0
Arizona exploded for 521 yards taking advantage of five Idaho turnovers to come up with one of the highest scoring games in school history. The Wildcats scored 35 points in the second quarter and Willie Tuitama threw three first half touchdown passes leading the offense to a 49-0 lead. Marquis Hundley added a 87-yard punt return for a touchdown and Nicholas Grigsby ran for two short scores. Idaho managed just 112 yards of total offense.
Player of the game: Arizona QB Willie Tuitama completed 17 of 21 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Idaho - Passing: Nathan Enderle, 10-25, 48 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Deonte Jackson, 10-25. Receiving: Eddie Williams, 3-18
Arizona - Passing: Willie Tuitama, 17-21, 179 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Nicholas Grigsby, 19-169, 2 TD. Receiving: Delashaun Dean, 5-77
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Nothing worked for the Vandals. The defense was helpless against the Arizona offense, the attack didn't get anything going, with Deonte Jackson being held in check from the start, and Nathan Enderle failing to move the offense. It was as poor a performance as the team could've come up with, but fortunately the one early chance at a win comes next week against Idaho State. Lose that, and right the season off.

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Virdell Larkins, S, 6-0, 195, Laney Junior College, Oakland, Calif.
Larkins posted 78 tackles, seven sacks and six passes broken up from his strong safety spot in one year at California before going the JUCO route. He has a 4.5 vertical and can play corner as well as safety.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Faleaoga Faumui, DT, 6-0, 309, Garden City Community College, Garden City, Kan.
Earned second-team all-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference honors in 2006 … as a sophomore at Garden City Community College in 2006, had 21 solo stops and 26 assists for a total 47 … also had four tackles for loss (minus 9 yards), which includes four sacks … had one forced fumble … as a freshman in 2005 at Utah’s Dixie State College, had 19 solo stops and 13 assists … also had eight tackles-for-loss (minus 41 yards) and 6.5 sacks (minus 36 yards), and one forced fumble, one recovery and three pass breakups … at Auburn Riverside High School, was a first-team all-South Puget Sound League North Division choice in 2004 … earned honorable mention recognition as a sophomore.

Tre`Shawn Robinson, LB, 5-11, 225, Upland High School, Upland, Calif.
2007 Baseline League Defensive MVP …all-CIF Southern Section Inland Division choice in 2007 … had 48 solo stops and 16 assists for a total 64 … also had three sacks and recovered one fumble … two-time, first-team all-conference selection … starting linebacker in Southern California Bowl

Rest of the Class
Henry Asuega, DL, 6-0, 268, Corona High School, Corona, Calif.
Shelden (Kama) Bailey, RB, 5-9, 168, Damien Memorial High School, Honolulu, Hawai`i
Haroun (Hank) Bryant, DE, 6-3, 222, Tumwater High School, Tumwater, Wash.
Preston Davis, WR, 6-1, 189, Shadow Ridge High School, Las Vegas, Nev.
Larry Dugan, DT, 6-2, 279, Gahr High School, Cerritos, Calif.
Trey Farquhar, K, 6-1, 175, Redlands East Valley, Redlands, Calif.
Robert Hatchett III, WR, 5-9, 159, Centennial High School, Compton, Calif.
Isaiah Lavea, DT, 6-2, 285, Kamehameha High School, Honolulu, Hawai`i
Ronald Mallory, OT, 6-7, 285, Deer Valley High School, Glendale, Ariz.
Kent (Brad) Marboe, LB, 6-3, 189, Idaho Falls High School, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Shelton Miles, DB, 5-9, 175, Diamond Ranch High School, Pomona, Calif.
Justin Morales, QB, 6-0, 180, Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad, Calif.
Marsel Posey, WR, 5-10, 160, Centennial High School, Corona, Calif.
Guy Reynolds Jr., OL, 6-3, 305, Westview High School, Avondale, Ariz.
Andre Robinson, DB, 6-0, 190, Bowie High School, Arlington, Texas
Robert Siavii, LB, 6-2, 200, Leilehua High School, Wahaiwa, Hawai`i
Charles Smith Jr., DE, 6-5, 238, Desert Pines High School, Las Vegas, Nev.
Troy Vital, RB, 6-0, 203, Copperas Cove High School, Copperas Cove, Texas
*already on campus

2007 Recap

Recap: The Vandals made a compelling case as the nation’s worst FBS program, losing their final 10 games, and winning just once for the second time this decade.  Idaho played plenty of underclassmen this season, which contributed to its futility, but should also start paying some dividends next year.  If nothing else, the Vandals can celebrate the return of rookie head coach Robb Akey, the first time in three years the coach hasn’t bolted Moscow for a job in the Pac-10.

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Deonte Jackson

Defensive Player of the Year: LB David Vobora

Biggest Surprise: Jackson.  The undersized redshirt freshman gave hope for the future at Idaho, winning the starting job in camp, and rushing for 1,175 yards and seven touchdowns.  With the entire line back, including All-WAC C Adam Korby, Jackson’s encore in Moscow should be even better than his debut.  

Biggest Disappointment: At Idaho, you’ve got to win those few winnable games, such as when 2-10 Northern Illinois visited back on Sept. 22.  The Vandals rallied valiantly in the second half, scoring three touchdowns, but still came up short, 42-35.       

Looking Ahead: Idaho returns 10 starters on offense, and loses little from last year’s squad, which should provide a boost in 2008.  If nothing else, the program will benefit tremendously from the continuity of having the same coaching staff for two straight years.