MOSCOW - Robb Akey has already started the countdown to the sequel of Idaho vs. Bowling Green.

Day 1 was Thursday when the Vandals took the field for the first day of football practice, which came under a typical hot August sun with a smattering of spectators on hand to see the 2011 version of Idaho football.

"I was pleased with guys being out there flying around," Akey said. "I thought we got a lot of good work done today. It's a great start. I'm excited about it."

As the players work into the rhythm of fall camp, coaches will be assessing who accomplished what over the summer.

"We have a pretty good idea of some guys who have done some real good things, what they're capable of doing," Akey said of the veterans on the team. "We're seeing what kind of growth other guys have made and what kind of roles they're going to fit into. We're competing for jobs as well as to find out what kind of depth there is.

“With the new faces, we’re looking to find out which of those are going to be able to get themselves into the mix. That’s an on-going process.”

Akey said he especially likes the look of the defensive line, which could average 300 pounds at the interior positions and 260 on the ends.

Camp notes: This year’s captains are quarterback Brian Reader (Prunedale, Calif.) and tackle Tyrone Novikoff (Curlew, Wash.) for the offense; tackle Mike Cosgrove (Las Vegas, Nev.) and linebacker Tre’Shawn Robinson (Upland, Calif.) for the defense, and linebacker Tyler Brooks (Orofino) for special teams. ... There are three sets of brothers on this year’s team: Ryan (junior running back) and Dion (freshman cornerback) Bass; Dallas (offensive line) and Corey (linebacker) Sandburg, and linebackers Jeremiah and Joshua Walters. ... The Vandals’ first day in full pads is Monday at 9 a.m. ... The scrimmages are Aug. 10, Aug. 15 and Aug. 19. The first two are at 2:30 with the third at 7 p.m. as the finale to the grand reopening of the Kibbie Dome.