The close calls at the end are signs of encouragement for the Idaho football team, signs that a breakthrough is near.

However, the rough starts the Vandals are having are a bit troubling - having to try field goals instead of scoring touchdowns, and falling way behind in the first half.

"I think we're doing a better job as a staff at making adjustments at halftime," said Idaho coach Paul Petrino, whose Vandals (0-5, 0-3 Sun Belt) travel to league-leading Georgia Southern (4-2, 3-0) on Saturday in Statesboro, Ga. "But we have to play better in the first half, there's no question about it."

In its opener, Idaho fell behind Louisiana-Monroe 21-7 after the first quarter, then eventually tied the game twice before losing 38-31 on a touchdown with nine seconds left.

The following week, the Vandals fell 18 points behind Western Michigan in the first half before losing 45-33.

Then, Idaho trailed 17-0 early in the second quarter, then pulled within five points in the fourth quarter before losing 36-24 at Ohio.

Two weeks ago, South Alabama led 20-0 at the half, 27-0 early in the third quarter en route to a 34-10 triumph over Idaho.

Last week, Idaho trailed 21-3 at the half after missing two field goals and throwing an interception in the end zone, then closed within five points twice in the second half before a late-game interception sealed a 35-30 loss at Texas State.

"We didn't start as slow as we have been, we just didn't get touchdowns," Petrino said. "Our players have proven they can play with the teams in this league. Now they've got to find a way to get a win."

Vandal-izers: Idaho's top rusher, Jerrel Brown (a modest 179 yards in four games), did not play Saturday at Texas State because of an "internal thing," Petrino said. In his place, Kris Olugbode ran for 80 yards on 13 carries, and freshman Aaron Duckworth added 63 yards on 12 carries.

"I think Aaron has a chance to be a star for years to come," Petrino said. ... The Vandals, Petrino said, are building depth in the secondary and at linebacker, as well as on the offensive line, at running back and at receiver. One place Idaho is not deep, he said, in on the defensive line, where four linemen are out with injuries. "And unfortunately, we can't go get anybody new in free agency," Petrino said with a smile. ... Despite the 0-5 start, Petrino said there's a "night and day difference between this year and last year," when the Vandals started 0-4. "We're going to get it turned, there's not one doubt in my mind," he said. "Sorry that it hasn't turned as fast as (fans would like), but we're getting there. We're going to get it done."