Idaho's offensive line allowed four quarterback sacks, and the Vandals were only able to rush for 52 yards on 21 carries in last Thursday's season-opening 32-15 loss to Bowling Green at the Kibbie Dome.

Earlier this week, Vandals coach Robb Akey said some other linemen could get a look this Saturday, when Idaho plays host to North Dakota (1-0).

Junior A.J. Jones and Bilal Liggins figure to get some playing time as well, he said.

"We've got to block better in the interior of our line, and we've got to perform better as a football team," Akey said.

He said he expected some of his linemen - like redshirt freshman center Mike Marboe, senior left guard Sam Tapua and sophomore right guard Jordan Johnson - to play better than they played last week.

"Those guys (the offensive line as a group) had performed better as we had gone through camp; I liked what that group was starting to become," Akey said. "And I think we're still going to end up liking what that group can be."

Praise time: In looking back, Akey said some players did play well vs. Bowling Green.

He said sophomore safety Trey Williams "was all over the field as a cover man and did some good, good things for us."

He also said cornerback Aaron Grymes and linebackers Conrad Scheidt and Korey Toomer played well on defense, as did wide receiver Mike Scott and left tackle Matt Cleveland. Scott, a junior college transfer who just joined the team last month, took advantage of injuries to two starting wideouts and caught a team-high six passes for 89 yards.

Injury update: Akey said he expects to have starting wide receiver Justin Veltung and backup cornerback Dion Bass back from injuries this week. He thought backup receiver Landon Weaver would be back, and cornerback Kenneth Patten (knee) might be back as well.

Honoring the military: The University of Idaho will honor men and women who have served or are currently serving in the military during Military Appreciation Weekend on Friday and Saturday.

Discounted game tickets are available for veterans and active-duty personnel and their families at the University of Idaho ticket office, which is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, call (208) 885-6466 or email [email protected]. Valid military identification is required to receive discounts on tickets.

Bouncing back: In the aftermath of the doom and gloom in Vandal land after losing to Bowling Green, which had won just two games last season — Akey reminded that a few years ago, Oregon lost its season opener at Boise State and by the end of the year had earned an invitation to the Rose Bowl.

He pointed out he doesn’t expect Idaho to land in the Rose Bowl, but his point was “one game is not going to make our season.”