Davis to start at QB against BYU

THE VANDALS HOLD A 2-1 EDGE IN THE ALL-TIME SERIES with Brigham Young, but haven't battled the Cougars since 1955. Idaho and BYU played a three-game series from 1953-1955 with the Cougars winning the first game 20-14 followed by two Idaho wins (7-0 in '54, and 49-6 in '55). With redshirt sophomore QB TAYLOR DAVIS leading the charge, Idaho resumes its series with BYU in Provo (6:15PM PST, ESPN2).

INSIDE SLANT

Idaho will try to do something it hasn't done since the middle of the 2009 season -- win two games in a row.

The Vandals (2-7 overall, 1-4 WAC) travel to Provo, Utah, for a nonconference game against BYU that was scheduled via an agreement between the Cougars and the Western Athletic Conference.

Idaho has three games left on its schedule, and this is the final nonconference matchup of the season. The Vandals still have a home game left against Utah State and close the season at Nevada. Idaho also has an open week Nov. 26.

Coach Robb Akey announced that Taylor Davis will remain as the starting quarterback. Davis replaced senior Brian Reader as the starter after Idaho's last bye, but was pulled in favor of Reader during the next game against Hawaii. Davis then won the job in practice and is expected to keep it the rest of the season.


NOTES, QUOTES

--The Vandals snapped a six-game losing streak by beating San Jose State on Nov. 5. It was Idaho's first win this season over an FBS program.

--Idaho ranks 115th out of 120 teams in total offense at 291.22 yards per game.

--Idaho's Nov. 12 game at BYU will be televised by ESPN2, the Vandals' first appearance on the "deuce" since last season against Boise State.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Vandals finally scored more than one offensive touchdown in a game last week, the first time in five games that has happened. A key has been an improving running game and a change at the quarterback position where sophomore Taylor Davis replaced senior Brian Reader.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Idaho's defense has played soundly of late, allowing more than 30 points only once in the past four games. Three of Idaho's first four foes scored 30-or-more points.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're like butter -- we're on a roll." -- Idaho coach Robb Akey after his team snapped a six-game losing streak with a victory at San Jose State.


STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Idaho at BYU, Nov. 12 -- The Cougars, who left the Mountain West Conference to become independent this year, have not beaten a team with a winning record this season.

KEYS TO THE GAME: The Vandals must contain BYU's pass-happy offense, which will be a challenge for the 110th-ranked passing defense. Idaho also must continue to improve its running game to keep the Cougars off the field.


PLAYERS TO WATCH:

LB Treshawn Robinson -- The senior middle linebacker had 15 tackles against San Jose State.

PK Trey Farquhar -- Kicked a career-long 55-yard field goal against San Jose State. His previous long was 54 yards.

P Bobby Cowan -- He ranks second in the nation in punting with an average of 47.10 yards per punt. He's punted 72 times, and no other punter in the top 25 has more than 60 attempts.


ROSTER REPORT

--RB Troy Vital (foot) is questionable for the BYU game.

--WR Armauni Johnson (broken arm) is out for the rest of the season.

--WR Justin Veltung (turf toe) is questionable for the BYU game.