When the Idaho Vandals try to win a Senior Day game for the first time since 2004, all eyes will be on the quarterback position.

Nathan Enderle is expected to play Saturday against Utah State after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury, and the Vandals (7-4, 4-3 WAC) must contend with dual-threat QB Diondre Borel, who led the Aggies (3-8, 2-5) to a blowout win over Idaho last year.

"I was pretty embarrassed with the way we played in that ball game," said Idaho coach Robb Akey of the 42-17 loss.

Containing Borel will be critical in reversing that outcome, which would give Idaho its first win in November since a Senior Day win over Arkansas State in Pullman, Wash., in 2004.

"He's a great athlete," Akey said. "People look like they've got him bottled up and he can get himself out of a mess. Keeping his jailbreak-type plays to a minimum is going to be an important thing for us in this ball game."

The key to that, Vandal defenders say, is to play positions correctly.

"Just staying in our lanes and just making sure he doesn't get out of the pocket," senior defensive tackle Oga Faumui said. "We've just got to do our jobs. If you try to do too much you leave another man hanging."

On the flip side, Akey is hoping the return of Enderle will lead Idaho to a win. With his junior starter out, the Vandals lost back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Enderle, who is the nation's 11th most efficient passer, said he expects to be about 95 percent Saturday.

"I feel really good and I'm excited about the fact that it seems like we're clicking like we were when I left," Enderle said. "I was worried about some rust with my dropbacks and timing on some of the routes. It hasn't really affected me that much at all."

A win would give Idaho eight wins in the regular season for the first time since 1998 and give the Vandals their first winning record in conference play since joining the WAC in 2005.

It also would give 12 seniors a win in their final home game.

"I've seen a lot of seniors go out of here with disappointing seasons," senior offensive tackle Bryce Sinclair said. "We've turned this program around, and it would just be the best way to go out. Winning your senior game means a lot."

Many of these seniors have played for three coaches and endured nothing but losing until this season.

"This group of guys wanted to leave here having accomplished something and left a mark. I do believe getting an eighth win in the regular season would be a hell of a mark,'' Akey said.

Nick Jezierny: 377-6420