Idaho’s best games last season came against the more physical teams.

Wins over Portland State and North Dakota in particular, and a one-point loss at Montana State.

The Vandals (1-1) figure to face another physical team today at Wyoming (2-0).

“They win the way my dad raised me in football,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “They play really good defense, they do a really good job in special teams, and they run the football well. And they don’t hurt themselves.”

Wyoming’s coach, Craig Bohl, won three straight FCS national titles at North Dakota State (2011-13) before moving to Laramie.

“They’re up 6-1 in turnovers, and really up 6-0 because that turnover was on the last play of the half, a Hail Mary,” Petrino said. “I don’t think they care how many points they score — they’re just going to play to win. And they’re going to play good, fundamental football; that’s how he won all those championships at North Dakota State.

“Defensively, I’m not sure they care much about yards as much as they care about not giving up points. Missouri was inside the 5 three times and they got turnovers each time.”

Wyoming is outrushing its opponents 243.5 yards to 82 per game, but averaging just 97.5 passing yards while allowing 408.5 per game through the air.

Quarterback Sean Chambers is Wyoming’s leading rusher, with 170 yards in two games. But he’s completing just 41 percent of his passes.

After being gashed last year by the more wide-open teams in the Big Sky, the Vandals were to determined to get more athletic, particularly on defense. But Idaho still has the folks to get physical if need be.

Last week vs. Central Washington, Aundre Carter rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and Roshaun Johnson ran for 111 yards and a score. Both rushing totals were career highs.

Petrino likened Carter, a 5-foot-9, 241-pound redshirt freshman, and Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 240-pound redshirt sophomore, to Elijhaa Penny and Isaiah Saunders, a pair of big backs in the Vandals’ recent past.

“They hit people, fall forward, get 2-3 extra yards,” Petrino said. “They’re the big backs like we always like to have.”