The University of Idaho Argonaut

Vandal running back Deonte Jackson runs through drills during practice Tuesday afternoon. Jackson and the Vandals take on the Fresno State Bulldogs Saturday in the Kibbie Dome, a game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU. Kickoff has been moved to 7:30 p.m. Nick Groff/Argonaut

This season of football for the Vandals has been a test — a test of skill, a test of strength and most of all a test of adversity. So far, the Vandals have proved they can pass all three, but with the goal of a bowl game lingering in their heads and three more games to go, the Vandals still realize the test is not over.

“We may give up a bunch of yards against our defense, but as long as we have more points than the other team, that’s what it comes down to,”

Idaho coach Robb Akey said. “Yards don’t cost you points as long as you keep it one yard short of the goal line.”

“I look at Saturday’s game — that was a character win right there,” Akey said. “I would like to think that coming out of Saturday’s ball game this team will be able to look at that and think we’re capable of doing some things.”

Tomorrow, the Fresno State Bulldogs (5-3, 4-1 WAC) will be in the Kibbie Dome to present Idaho with yet another test with — their running back Ryan Mathews, who currently leads the nation in rushing yards.

Akey said the team needs to understand it’s obvious Mathews will be making runs, but keeping his runs to a minimum is what he said the team needs to focus on.

“To say you’re going to go in there and you’re going to stonewall this guy, you’re crazy to say that — he’s going to make plays,” Akey said. “We just need to bust our tails and make more big plays than they do.”

The Vandals’ defense is led by safety Shiloh Keo, who racked up nine tackles against LA Tech and averages nine per game.

Keo said the defense is making sure they know where they need to be and filling each gap. Each of the 11 players is going to have a crucial assignment in the run game, he said.

“Hopefully when we’re out there on the field in defense, the crowd will go crazy,” Keo said. “We want to draw them off sides and come up with some big plays — do whatever it takes to win the game.”

But the defense can’t win the game alone and Akey said he is confident in his offense and quarterback Nathan Enderle. He said Enderle is directing traffic well and the team’s throwing game has increasingly developed over the course of the year.

With an efficiency rating at second in the WAC and 10th in the nation, Enderle is also helping his teammates tally a number of statistics.

Wide receiver Max Komar has totaled 50 catches for over 800 yards — one of the best seasons a Vandal receiver has had in a decade. Behind him sits Daniel Hardy with 25 catches for over 400 yards.

Akey said with their depth, the team needs to be good at what they do. Fresno State’s coach Pat Hill said he expects a fun and physical game.

“We’re looking forward to a physical game against a very good football team,” Hill said. “It’s going to be a challenge for us and the kids are really excited about this one.”

For Akey, this game isn’t any more important than the games previously in the season.

“Those teams that we’ve got left on the schedule, they’ve got to play one of the best teams in the conference,” Akey said. “This one is the biggest of them all because it’s the one we’re playing this week. Let’s see if we can get through November undefeated.”