Idaho football to play UC Davis for the Big Sky Conference opener

The Vandals are coming off a bye week and are looking ahead to their conference opener against the UC Davis Aggies. The game follows a 56-14 loss to Indiana and a 42-0 loss to Oregon State. Despite the two huge losses, the Vandals might be more prepared than it makes them seem.

Two blowout losses in a row are not ideal, but facing two FBS teams in a row can prepare a Vandals defense as they prepare for FCS competition, especially against UC Davis. These are two teams who are familiar with each other, facing each other for the second time in 2021.

“We know we can play against these guys,” said junior linebacker Tre Walker. “We played against these guys in the spring season, so it’s not really anything that’s new to us.”

Statistically, the Vandals do not have the offense that UC Davis does. Aggies are ranked No. 21 amongst FCS teams in total offense. In comparison the Vandals rank No. 62 nationally amongst FCS teams in the same category. Despite this ranking, graduate student quarterback Mike Beaudry has faith in the weapons he has on offense.

“(These guys) make me confident,” Beaudry said. “To know that we have guys that can make plays all around you, what else is there that you want?”

In the spring season Walker mentioned, the Vandals lost the game 27-17 but had the lead three quarters into the game before surrendering 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to the Aggies. But perhaps this year’s defense might not let history repeat itself.

There is the separation between the two teams in total offense, but the inverse is true for defense. The Vandals rank No. 16 in total defense amongst FCS teams whereas the Aggies defense rank No. 79 in the nation in total defense. Walker thinks Idaho’s defense can be even do better, even to become the best in the FCS.

“I think the sky’s the limit as far as the talent between each player.” Walker said. “Anyone on this team can be as good as they want, it just depends on mentality.”

If the Vandals can knock off UC Davis in their conference opener, not only will they beat a team that is in the top 10 of the FCS according to rankings, but they will state their case to being a top-25 team and put the rest of the Big Sky and FCS on notice.

This is the first conference game of the year for Idaho and the second conference game for UC Davis. Kickoff is set for Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. PST, available on SWX and ESPN+.

Teren Kotawtsch can be reached at [email protected]