The defense rests

No one should be allowed to question what head coach Robb Akey has meant to the University of Idaho football program.

He has ushered in stability, a positive environment, better athletes and more national exposure. Plus, there's that bowl victory last season. You might remember it. Pretty good game.

But one thing we're still waiting for from Akey is consistent proof that he used to be a Pac-10 defensive coordinator. You often wouldn't know it by looking at the on-field product.

Some point to the Vandals' recent season-opening shutout of North Dakota and their 30-7 home victory against UNLV as major signs of improvement. While those were fun for the fans, the opponents were abysmal. Those victories don't absolve Akey of his team's offensive defensive lapses. Not by a long shot.

To be fair, no one expected a stonewall performance on the road against Nebraska. But giving up 36 to Colorado State University last week? Huh?

UI gave up 26 first downs and 386 passing yards to what had been one of the worst offenses in the entire country. Hey, it's one thing if you're outmanned at every position. The Vandals didn't have that excuse last Saturday, when they lost to a doormat.

How many times did Tom Morris say the word "screen pass" during the CSU game? Way too many times. How long should it have taken, in theory, for the Vandals to respond to the Rams' offensive plan by dialing back the blitzing/pressure? Well, it would have been nice to see an adjustment at some point. But it seemingly never happened.


How can you follow up a dominating performance against UNLV with a complete defensive letdown — versus an 0-3 squad? Unfortunately, it's not unprecedented. Don't forget that many of those thrilling victories in 2009 were exciting because: A) the UI offense was explosive, and B) the UI defense exploded. The Vandals didn't win any games because of great defense last year. Not one.

Also, can the supposedly defensive-minded Akey continue to let this happen? Akey was the defensive line coach at Washington State University before taking over as defensive coordinator in 2003. If he wants consistent wins, he has to devise a way to get consistent success from this unit.

Can he do it? It's a fair question — and you know it.