The University of Idaho football team had better use every page of that silver-and-gold playbook this weekend.
Especially that part labeled "special teams."
The Vandals' opponent at 10:30 a.m. Saturday will be the University of Nebraska, which returns 10 offensive starters and darn near every single skill-position player from the 2009 campaign.
Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez, a freshman, led a 49-10 romp in Week 1, completing 9 of 15 passes for 136 yards and rushing for 127 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries.
What's more, UN's defense is probably more dangerous than its offense.
The Vandals have a plentiful bundle of talented playmakers as well, but to have any chance of upsetting a top 10 team on the road — in front of more than 80,000 people — they'll need to be used in very creative ways — plays that squeeze every last drop of potential out of each drive.
UI would be crazy to line up and attempt straight-up smash-mouth football this Saturday. DeMaundray Woolridge is nowhere to be found, and Mike Iupati isn't walking through that lockerroom door.
But the Vandals might be able to put together some substantial put and kick returns and surprise the Cornhuskers with some timely reverses and gadget plays. They've got the practitioners to pull it off.
Receivers Eric Greenwood and Preston Davis are too valuable in their roles — jump-ball artist and No. 1 downfield threat, respectively — to be messing around with on special teams, but what about sophomore Justin Veltung, who emerged with an explosive game last week? Junior-college transfer Armauni Johnson and Maurice Shaw have the speed and athleticism to contribute in this regard as well.
Predicting special-teams success is no science, but UI has plenty of potential to provide some electrifying big plays.
It might be their best chance to hang around with the Cornhuskers — Unless the Vandals have a fleet-footed 245-pound running back I don't know about.
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