Idaho's defense could get a workout in today's nonconference test vs. North Carolina (2-2) at Keenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Under first-year coach Larry Fedora, the Tar Heels are running an average of 71.5 plays per game.

"They're going to run as many plays as they possibly can," Idaho coach Robb Akey said. "They are capable of getting a stretch play executed, and lining up and getting the next play off in 13 seconds. They're trying to get as many snaps as they can."

North Carolina is averaging 453 yards per game, 309 of that through the air. Bryn Renner has thrown for 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns, with three interceptions. A.J. Blue is the top rusher, with 203 yards and three touchdowns.

Akey said the Tar Heels have offensive linemen who are going to "block out the sun," led by Travis Bond, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound right guard, and James Hurst, a left tackle who lines up at 6-7, 290.

"The small guy is 6-4, 300 pounds," he said.

Erik Highsmith has 22 catches for 243 yards and one TD, and Eric Ebron has 14 receptions, three for scores.

Vandal coaches put helmet cams on their defensive backs in an effort to see what the DBs are seeing, and hopefully to reduce the number of big plays that have plagued Idaho (0-4) so far this season.

Akey is hoping the Vandals’ improved play the past three games will finally pay off in a victory.

“We’ve come a long ways as a team in so many ways, and we need the final scoreboard to reflect that,” he said. “It certainly doesn’t feel good heading into the fifth week of the season still looking for our first win, and we’ve got plenty of people in the outside world that want to remind us of that.”