Vandals feel
UH’s pressure

MOSCOW, Idaho » A depleted offensive line certainly didn't help matters, but Idaho's coaches and players weren't placing the blame on any particular department following yesterday's 24-0 home loss to Hawaii.

As far as they were concerned, every area played a role in the shutout, the Vandals' first at the Kibbie Dome since they lost to Northern Arizona by the same score in 1986.

"It was real tough," said Idaho junior quarterback Steven Wichman, who only completed eight of 25 passes for 112 yards. "We weren't doing much offensively or executing the way we'd like to, so of course it's going to be hard to get in a rhythm."

Idaho's offensive-line woes began before the season even started. Junior tight end Luke Smith-Anderson, considered a vital cog in the Vandal running game, suffered a ruptured spleen during fall camp and had to have the organ surgically removed.

Then last week against Washington, Idaho played without starting tackle Hank Therien, who was nursing a neck injury, and the Vandals were forced to make do without their other starting tackle, Nate VanderPol, when he went down with a sprained knee during the second half.

VanderPol's injury forced the Vandals to insert true freshman Billy Bates into the game, effectively burning the redshirt season they'd hoped to use in the process, and Washington recorded seven sacks against Idaho's relatively green offensive line.

Idaho's troubles were compounded again on Wednesday, when starting guard Jade Tadvick had an emergency appendectomy, ruling him out indefinitely.

Therien managed to make his way back into the lineup last night, but VanderPol was unable to go, leaving the Vandals with three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior on their starting offensive front.

Wichman said he tried to focus on his job and not worry about his blockers, but Hawaii's defense hounded him on several occasions and wound up sacking the Idaho quarterback three times.

"They did good enough for us to get the job done," Wichman said of his offensive line. "I think I dropped back and missed a couple of reads that could have been big-time plays and things like that, but I think we did all right up front."

The Vandals had several other pressing issues on offense, catching the ball chief among them.

Idaho's receivers struggled to haul in passes throughout the night, and coach Nick Holt was infuriated with their performance.

"Good football players don't drop passes," Holt said. "It was just inexcusable."

Hawaii's defense obviously had a lot to do with Idaho's anemic offensive output, but Wichman said most of the fault was with the Vandals themselves.

"We saw everything that they were showing on film, so there was nothing too surprising," he said. "Offensively, we just didn't execute well enough."

Cox debuts: Hawaii did not play a perfect game -- its running attack was as anemic as Idaho's. The Warriors netted 41 yards on 25 carries.

Hawaii freshman running back Mario Cox played in his first game. He was credited with minus-1 yard on two carries.

Bryan Maneafaiga and Nate Ilaoa, who started UH's first two games, did not play due to hamstring injuries. David Farmer started and rushed once for 10 yards. Kala Latuselu carried seven times for 11 yards.

UH's pass blocking was suspect at times, too, as Brennan was flushed from the pocket and wound up being sacked three times for 23 yards.

Uperesa re-injures ankle: UH starting right tackle Dane Uperesa aggravated an ankle sprain suffered two weeks ago against Michigan State and left last night's game midway through the second quarter.

"I think I'll be able to play against Boise State," he said. "We'll see."

Starting right guard Brandon Eaton moved out to tackle, and Larry Sauafea and Marques Kaonohi replaced him at guard.

Starting wide receiver Ian Sample also left the game, with a bruised left knee, after catching four passes for 61 yards. He was replaced by freshman Michael Washington, who caught seven passes for 46 yards.

Uperesa and Sample are listed as day-to-day.