By MARK NELKE

Sports editor

At one time last spring, Idaho had six quarterbacks on its roster.

The last couple of weeks, the Vandals have really only had one QB available.

That situation could improve this week.

Senior Taylor Davis is expected to start once again Saturday for Idaho (1-8) on senior day vs. Old Dominion (6-3) at the Kibbie Dome.

But junior Joshua McCain, who has missed the last three games with an injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder, should be available this week.

Redshirt freshman Chad Chalich, who started the first seven games before suffering an injury to his right shoulder and has missed the last two games, looks like he's not ready to return, Idaho coach Paul Petrino said Monday in his weekly news conference with area media.

"I'd say no question Josh would be available this week," said Petrino, who said McCain practiced Sunday night and "looked pretty good. Chad, I still don't know."

Unbeknowst to Petrino, Chalich and McCain went out and warmed up on the Kibbie Dome turf last Saturday, prior to the Vandals' 37-21 loss to Texas State.

"I didn't really want them out there throwing before the game, and have the opponent see how well they could or could not throw," Petrino said. "Because if I did have to put them in the game they (the opponent) would know, 'hey, did you see those guys in warmups? They couldn't throw. Let's just blitz 'em on every single down.'"

Growing pains: Petrino says he's seeing signs of improvement, though sometimes the end result on Saturday doesn't equal the preparation during the week, which is frustrating.

"We've just got to have great courage and strength to come in here and work your tail off and know that we're going to keep improving, and that the future is bright," he said.

Petrino said after Idaho's weekly "Get Better Sunday" scrimmage a few days ago, the coaches kept all the freshmen after practice for a little extra running/bonding.

"'You guys right here are the future and you're going to make this your program,'" Petrino said he told them, "'and let's start having you guys be the leaders and do something extra every day to win some rings in the Sun Belt Conference (starting next year).' I really like that freshman class."

He was also talking about redshirt freshmen, including Chalich and fellow Coeur d'Alene High product Deon Watson, who caught his first TD as a collegian last week. He kept redshirt freshmen and true freshmen after practice.

"You looked across at that line and that really excited you," Petrino said. "I think the future is very bright with them."

Notes: Petrino praised the improved play of his offensive line, noting Vandal quarterbacks are getting hit less than they were earlier in the season, and saying Idaho is running the ball better of late. And the defensive line has improved in defending the run, he said.