Offense hasn't usually been a problem with the Idaho Vandals football team in recent years.

Giving up yards and points had been more of an issue for Idaho.

But the past couple of weeks, the defense has played well and the offense has struggled. In the past two games - a 21-20 overtime loss at Virginia two weeks ago, and a 24-11 loss at home to Louisiana Tech last week - Idaho has failed to score an offensive touchdown in regulation.

And that has become a point of emphasis this week, when Idaho (1-5, 0-2 Western Athletic Conference) visits New Mexico State (2-3, 0-1) on Saturday.

"It's a funk we have to get ourselves out of, and right quick," Idaho coach Robb Akey said. "As soon as we start to get a little spark going, you're going to see that offense start to click and start rolling."

Senior quarterback Brian Reader has completed just 40.9 percent of his passes the past two weeks, going 36 for 88 for 437 yards with one touchdown (in overtime) and five interceptions.

"The completion percentage is awful, and it has been for two weeks," Akey said.

When asked if Reader is still the starter this week, Akey replied, "absolutely." But he also said later, "at any point in time, I can take any guy out and put his backup in ... is that a possibility for anybody at any point in time? Absolutely. Him included? Yes."

Akey said the offensive struggles are a group effort. The quarterback needs to make good decisions where he throws the ball, and he needs to throw it well. The receivers have to run their routes well and catch the ball.

And a better running game would help. Idaho is averaging just 69.8 yards per game on the ground.

"That's a matter of confidence," Akey said. "It's hard to play confident when you're not making plays. ... As an offense, we need to get something started so we can feel good again."

Akey said the defense has played "great" on third down the past couple of weeks. And the Vandals have scored a special teams touchdown in each of the past two games.

Injuries: Wide receiver Marsel Posey, who was injured when he ran head-first into a sideline storage area trying to catch a two-point conversion pass last week, was released from a Moscow hospital Sunday, Akey said. Posey suffered a concussion and has a sore neck, and Akey said he was "possible" for this week, but more likely "questionable." ... Defensive tackle Michael Cosgrove, who missed last week with a groin injury, should play this week, Akey said.