Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - 2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: In 2006 the Idaho Vandals were given a shot in the arm when Dennis Erickson announced he was returning to Moscow for a second stint at leading the football team. While he gave the impression that he had found his perfect position, Erickson was done after just once season and was soon off to Arizona State, which left Idaho lacking for a head coach. In stepped former Washington State defensive coordinator Robb Akey for his first head coaching job. With a change at the top, there also came a change in systems and philosophy, which led to a 1-11 record. Not only did Idaho win just a single game, it didn't even come against another member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, instead it being a narrow 20-13 triumph versus Cal Poly in the second game of the season. Except for that effort and the 24-19 loss to Utah State at the end of the campaign, the Vandals allowed at least four touchdowns in every single contest. The squad ended up last in the WAC in scoring defense and ranking 110th in the nation with 36.9 ppg allowed. What hurt the team the most was a pass efficiency defense that ranked 118th in the country with a 155.14 rating.

As the team enters the 2008 campaign it is tied with both SMU and Minnesota for the longest losing streaks in the nation at 10 in a row.

"I couldn't live through another year like last year (knocking on wood)," is the only way coach Akey could describe how difficult his first season with the Vandals had been. "My wife got all the sharp objects and things like that out of our house...that was miserable."

2008 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The Vandals have a boat-load of returning starters on the offensive side of the ball for this season, but by no means does that necessarily translate into victories. One of those returning starters is quarterback Nathan Enderle who appeared in 10 games and took the majority of the snaps for the program. However, under constant pressure he finished with a completion rate of just 44.3 percent and had almost twice as many interceptions (18) as he did touchdowns (10). Then again, before people climb all over Enderle they have to remember that he was just a freshman going up against the top talent the WAC has to offer.

"There were a lot of growing pains that took place for Nate Enderle last year," coach Akey recognizes, "but I know how he's going to react now as our quarterback. We had a very good spring with him, he won the job during the course of the spring, he comes into the fall as our quarterback."

The team really didn't have a standout receiver, but there are a few leftovers who could be dangerous on occasion, including junior wideout Max Komar and senior tailback Eddie Williams who combined to account for half of the team's 14 receiving scores. With an average of almost 15 yards per catch, Lee Smith is another returning wide receiver who could prove to be a savior in certain situations.

Shouldering much of the offensive load for the Vandals was freshman Deont Jackson who, despite standing only 5-8, sucked up the pounding of 240 carries to produce 1,175 yards on the ground alone. Jackson's contributions were huge a year ago and may well need to be even more significant this time around.

DEFENSE: "On the defensive side of the ball, obviously there's some guys that you've been accustomed to seeing out there that aren't around any longer," is one way that Akey has recognized the changing of the guard and, more specifically, the loss of David Vobora who went from being third in the nation in tackles per game (12.3) to the final pick in the most recent NFL Draft.

"Finally, at least I've got some names I can talk to you about at defensive tackle. You know, this time a year ago there's wasn't anyone...they were sitting' in prison or whatever the hell the deal was. It's a better situation right now, there's some kids I am excited about." Akey is talking positively about Taylor Rust and Josh Shaw on the edges of the line, the former owning six tackles for loss, a pair of fumbles recoveries and two forced fumbles during his 12 games a year ago.

Unlike the offensive side of the ball were there are countless players who come back after seeing action as starters a year ago, the defense boasts a mere four returning starters. Junior safety Shiloh Keo is going to be expected to carry much of the weight in the secondary, as is senior cornerback Breyon Williams. A second-team All-WAC performer, Keo seemed to be all over the field for the Vandals as he placed third on the unit with his 81 stops and was the leader with four interceptions and three fumbles recoveries. Yet despite those kind of efforts from just a single player, Idaho still finished second-to-last in the WAC and 104th in the country in terms of turnover margin with a mark of minus-.75 miscues per contest. Williams averaged less than four tackles per game a year ago, but at the very least he can demonstrate to the rest of the youngsters how he went about making all but eight of his 44 stops without any help.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Keo has the potential to create some excitement when he returns punts for the Vandals, having brought back one kick the length of the field for a touchdown last season. However, even with that 100-yard scamper he averaged only 16.8 yards per return on 19 opportunities, which means his other chances did not always electrify the crowd. Handling the kicking duties for Idaho in 2008 are Tino Amancio and T.J. Conley, taking care of the placekicking and the punting plays, respectively. Both seniors, Amancio made good on 14-of-18 field goal attempts and knocked through all 30 of his PATs in 2007, while Conley booted 20 of his 67 kicks inside the 20-yard line and made it slightly more difficult for the opposition to march down the field against the Vandals.

OUTLOOK: "I feel a lot better about going into this season than last year," coach Akey has noted. "There's a few less uncertainties...I think we will be an improved team going into this season there's no question in my mind, we're going to be a young football team again."

Being young will not help the squad when it suits up to open the campaign against Arizona on the road at the end of August, but it certainly shouldn't hinder the team when it welcomes Idaho State to Moscow. Non-conference meetings versus Western Michigan (home) and San Diego State (away) will be challenging, but certainly games that could fall into the win column, as is the WAC opener against Utah State. Traveling to both Fresno State and Hawaii are almost surely going to result in harsh setbacks, which is probably what can be said when Nevada and Boise State drop in on the Vandals. There is certainly a real possibility that Idaho's skein continues a while in 2008.