WAC notebook: Vandals can become bowl eligible Saturday

Idaho coach Robb Akey has been talking about his team going to a bowl game since last winter.

The third-year coach even had his team - 3-21 in the past two seasons - eat meals out of bowls in the offseason to help reinforce the idea.

"We talk a lot amongst ourselves about our goals, and playing in a bowl game is one of those goals," Akey said.

That goal is getting closer.

If Idaho (5-1, 2-0 WAC) beats Hawaii (2-3, 0-2) Saturday in what is expected to be a sold-out Kibbie Dome, it would be bowl eligible.

"Idaho is a great prospect for us," Humanitarian Bowl executive director Kevin McDonald said. "They have a great fan base and it's a program on the rise.

"(WAC commissioner) Karl Benson knows where we as a bowl stand - we really like the idea of the Vandals playing in the Humanitarian Bowl.''

Idaho plays four of its final six games at home and needs two wins to clinch its first winning season since 1999.

"We're going on No. 6 and six is important because that means you're eligible to get in a bowl," Akey said. "We'll have to win more than six, but you can't win more without getting that one first."

FRESNO STATE

Tailback Ryan Mathews has generated some Heisman buzz - and for good reason.

Mathews leads the nation in rushing (148.2 ypg). Those numbers are stunning when you consider that more than 65 percent of his yards came against No. 5 Boise State (234), No. 8 Cincinnati (145) and 5-1 Wisconsin (107).

Those three teams rank in the top 45 in rush defense.

"It's not like he's been racking up yards against anybody's weak sister," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said.

Mathews also has six rushing TDs - and looks like the favorite for WAC Offensive Player of the Year.

HAWAII

It's starting to look like the Warriors won't be able to fill their spot in the Hawaii Bowl. At 2-3, they need to beat Idaho, Boise State, Nevada or Wisconsin to have a shot at seven wins. And they'll have to do it with a walk-on quarterback who started the season as the third-stringer.

"We have been beat up, we've been hurt," coach Greg McMackin said. "É We are a team who is fighting through adversity, and we have been all season. But we're not making excuses. I've got a team that's a great bunch of guys that want to stick together."

NEVADA

The Wolf Pack have generated 1,284 yards of offense in the past two games, whipping UNLV and Louisiana Tech to shake off an 0-3 start.

The Wolf Pack were the preseason runner-up choice in the WAC.

"They're every bit the team everybody expected them to be coming into this year," Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley said.

SUSPENSIONS

® New Mexico State running back Marquell Colston has been suspended after being charged with battery against his live-in girlfriend, a third-degree felony. He cannot participate in team activities while the matter is reviewed by a school misconduct committee.

® Nevada has suspended starting offensive tackle Mike Gallett for the rest of the season for an undisclosed violation of team rules. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound junior had started every game for the Wolf Pack since last season. He was a second-team all-WAC selection in 2008.