The first question asked of Idaho football coach Paul Petrino at his weekly news conference with area media wondered what the Vandals were working on in practice this week.

"Tackling, for number one," Petrino said. "We've just got to tackle better, and we've got to not have blown assignments on defense."

Idaho gave a number of big plays in last Saturday's 45-33 loss to Western Michigan at the Kibbie Dome. Some were long passes where Vandal defenders were beaten; others came on shorter completions, where missed tackles led to long gainers.

Petrino said the missed tackles weren't a matter of technique; the Vandals work on that every day in practice.

"We do probably tackle and hit more than a lot of people during the week," he said. "Part of it just making sure you run full speed, you take good pursuit angles, and then when you're there, you run through it and make the tackle. As much as anything, I'm not sure it's as much technique as it is making sure to go make the play."

Cramping his style: Richard Montgomery came to Idaho as a running back, but the sophomore from Jacksonville, Fla., has been used more and more as a receiver since he got here.

Last week, he caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Matt Linehan. He finished with three catches for 88 yards, and also rushed three times for 12 yards.

"He made some good things happen ... we tried to hand him the ball in the backfield," Petrino said.

"I still think we've got to get the ball in his hands five or six more times."

The reason they didn't?

Cramps.

"He hurt himself cramping up and having to come out of the game," Petrino said. "He played more snaps than he ever has (at Idaho)."

Petrino said it's the second time Montgomery has cramped up during a game at the Kibbie Dome. Petrino said the Dome can get "hot," and players need to properly hydrate for games there, much like they would for early season games in the South.

"He's got to get himself mentally tough enough to stay in there and keep playing, and that'll get him the ball more," Petrino said.

In two games this season, Montgomery has caught nine passes for 161 yards and the one score. He has rushed the ball just four times, for 11 yards.

Vandal-izers: Deon Watson, the sophomore wide receiver from Coeur d'Alene High, is second with 12 catches this season, for 153 yards and a touchdown. Joshua McCain, the converted quarterback, leads with 15 catches for 221 yards and three scores. ... Sophomore Kato Fawkes and junior Jeff Travillion, a pair of offensive linemen, could be lost for the season due to undisclosed injuries, Petrino said. "Just freak accidents. That hurts," he said. Freshman offensive lineman Jordan Rose, injured during Saturday's game, may be able to play Saturday at Ohio (1-2), Petrino said.