WAC notebook: Idaho's pregame meal: All bowls

Idaho coach Robb Akey gave his team a subtle reminder of one of its preseason goals when his players assembled for a team meal Friday before the Louisiana Tech game.

"They came rolling into Friday night's dinner and there was nothing but bowls to eat out of," Akey said. "We've only done that a couple times. It's just a reminder that we're one step closer. You can have fun with this - it is a game."

Idaho (7-2, 4-1 WAC) clinched its first winning season in a decade by beating Louisiana Tech 35-34 on Saturday in the Kibbie Dome. The win also increased the team's odds of playing in a bowl game for the first time since 1998 - the team goal set in January at the start of winter conditioning.

After the victory, Akey received a gift from boosters - a Vandals bowl filled with Juicy Fruit gum.

"They've seen me eating that on the sideline all the time," the third-year coach said.

The gesture spoke volumes to Akey, who is glad that many of the Vandal faithful have embraced the team's goal.

"They've kind of jumped in with us, and I think that's been a good thing," he said.

Idaho can take another step toward the postseason and keep its WAC title hopes alive Saturday when it plays Fresno State (5-3, 4-1) in a nationally televised game on ESPNU. Kickoff has been moved from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. MST to accommodate the broadcast.

Idaho needs to win its final three games (Fresno State, Boise State, Utah State) and hope unbeaten Nevada loses one of its remaining games to have a chance to share or win an outright title.

There's no doubt the Vandals will be reminded of that at this Friday's team dinner.

"There might be something a little different this week," Akey said. "You can't over do it. There's a lot of ways to get a message across to them."

HAPPY RETURNS

True freshman Justin Veltung got his chance to return kickoffs when Idaho had what Akey called "ball security issues" in a loss at Nevada on Oct. 24.

Veltung made the most of his chance, returning the opening kickoff against Louisiana Tech for a touchdown. It was Idaho's first kickoff return for a touchdown since Antwaun Sherman in 2004 against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Veltung, who also plays receiver, made his first reception of the season against Tech.

"He's an athletic guy and a guy whose future is very bright," Akey said.

Veltung was named the WAC's special teams player of the week for his return. He is the seventh different Idaho player to be honored by the WAC, joining Bobby Cowan, Trey Farquhar, Shiloh Keo, Nathan Enderle, JoJo Dickson and Aaron Lavarias.

BOISE STATE

Senior cornerback Kyle Wilson has been named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive back. Wilson is among 12 semifinalists.

SAN JOSE STATE

The Spartans have been leading or tied in the second quarter this season against USC (3-0), Utah (7-7), Idaho (7-3, 14-9, 14-12), Fresno State (14-7) and Boise State (7-7).

Those teams are a combined 33-8. San Jose State lost every one of those games and is 1-6.

Boise State pulled away for a 45-7 win Saturday.

"We weren't consistent enough," coach Dick Tomey said. "We can take some kind of consolation from the fact that Oregon didn't have a first down in the first half against those guys."

UTAH STATE

The offense has been a two-man show this year. Junior quarterback Diondre Borel ranks 14th in the nation with 282.9 yards of total offense per game. Sophomore running back Robert Turbin ranks 17th in rushing at 109 yards per game.

They combined for 240 passing yards, 243 rushing yards and three touchdowns last week against Fresno State.

"The plays a lot of times being made are freakish plays on the offensive side of the football by Robert and Diondre," coach Gary Andersen said. "It's not because the supporting cast on the front is blowing holes open for them. They're earning their way."

The Aggies lost anyway - 31-27 - in part because their kicker missed two red-zone field goals.

They have lost to Texas A&M, New Mexico State, Nevada and Fresno State by eight points or fewer. The Aggies (2-6) aren't strong enough in the trenches to win the fourth quarter, Andersen said.

"It is frustrating, but it is where we are," said Andersen, who is in his first year. "É It's not easy to fix that in the middle of the season."

NEW MEXICO STATE

The Aggies have settled on sophomore Jeff Fleming as the starting quarterback. Sophomore Trevor Walls also has played.

Fleming has two touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 171 yards and two scores.

FRESNO STATE

Coach Pat Hill said Boise State is better than Cincinnati, which is ahead of the Broncos in the BCS standings. Both teams beat Fresno State this year.

"I thought Boise State was the better football team,'' Hill said. "They're both outstanding. That's just my opinion. We played Cincinnati at Cincinnati and probably gave them their best game of the year. But I strongly feel Boise is the best team we've played.''