What Is 2011 Idaho Vandals football team

Overview

The 2011 Idaho Vandals football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Led by head coach Robb Akey, the team struggled through a difficult season marked by defensive shortcomings and inconsistent offensive performance.

Despite high hopes entering the season, Idaho failed to build on previous campaigns and ended with a disappointing 2–10 record. The Vandals played their home games at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho, a unique indoor facility known for its artificial turf and retractable roof.

• Record: The team finished with a 2–10 overall record, their worst since 2004, reflecting significant struggles on both sides of the ball.
• Conference performance: In WAC play, Idaho went 1–7, securing only one conference win against Louisiana Tech in October.
• Head coach: Robb Akey coached his final season in 2011, dismissed in November due to sustained poor performance and lack of bowl eligibility.
• Home stadium: The Kibbie Dome, located on campus in Moscow, Idaho, hosted all home games with a capacity of approximately 16,000.
• Offensive leader: Quarterback Nathan Enderle, a senior, started most games before departing for the NFL, throwing for 1,848 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Season Performance

The 2011 season was defined by missed opportunities and defensive breakdowns, with Idaho failing to win consecutive games. The team showed flashes of competitiveness but ultimately lacked the consistency needed to contend in the WAC.

• Early struggles: Idaho lost its first four games, including defeats to Oregon and Colorado, both from Power Five conferences, by an average of 30 points.
• First win: The Vandals earned their first victory on October 8 with a 35–34 win over Louisiana Tech, a rare highlight in an otherwise bleak season.
• Defensive issues: The team allowed an average of 38.2 points per game, ranking among the worst in the FBS and contributing heavily to their losing record.
• Offensive inconsistency: Despite averaging 20.8 points per game, Idaho’s offense failed to sustain drives, turning the ball over 23 times during the season.
• Final game: The season concluded with a 56–24 loss to New Mexico State, sealing their 2–10 record and marking the end of Akey’s tenure.
• Player departures: Several seniors, including Enderle and linebacker Derrell Acker, completed their college careers, leaving a leadership void for the next season.

Comparison at a Glance

How did the 2011 Idaho Vandals compare to other WAC teams in key statistical categories? The table below shows their standing among conference peers:

Idaho ranked near the bottom in both scoring and defense within the WAC. While teams like Boise State dominated nationally, Idaho struggled to compete, allowing the most points in conference play. Their offensive output was also among the lowest, highlighting systemic issues across the program.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season marked a turning point for Idaho football, signaling the need for major changes in leadership and program direction. The poor performance accelerated a shift that eventually led to the team dropping to the FCS level years later.

• Coaching change: Robb Akey’s firing opened the door for new leadership, with Paul Petrino hired in December 2011 to rebuild the program.
• Program decline: The 2–10 record contributed to declining attendance and waning fan interest at the Kibbie Dome.
• Conference realignment: The WAC began dissolving as a football conference soon after, leaving Idaho without a conference home by 2013.
• Transition to FCS: After stints as an independent and in the Sun Belt, Idaho eventually dropped back to the FCS level in 2018.
• Recruiting impact: Poor performance made it harder to attract top-tier talent, especially from outside the Pacific Northwest.
• Historical context: The 2011 season remains one of the worst in modern Idaho football history, often cited in discussions about program stability.

Ultimately, the 2011 Idaho Vandals season serves as a case study in the challenges mid-major programs face when competing at the FBS level without sufficient resources or conference stability.