MOSCOW - Early fall camp scrimmages are, among other things, a time for experimentation and tweaking as the all-important first game draws near.

First-team offense versus second-team D. Second-team quarterback with first-team O-line. Mix, match and evaluate would be an accurate description of the process.

Robb Akey's Idaho squad is no different, and in Wednesday's scrimmage it was the offensive backfield that was of interest as the Vandals continued preparing for their Sept. 5 opener against New Mexico State.

Tailback was the slot that had perhaps the most intriguing rotation, and the large quantity of players taking handoffs Wednesday is not an issue for Akey.

"More is always better. So I would tell you that," he said when asked if there was an ideal number at the position.

"I think we've got some good options back there, and that's a good thing. And I think that's also created good competition.

"... The only thing about having too many is there's only one football to go around, but it's like having too much money. I don't think there's any such thing. And I don't have that problem either."

Last year's primary carrier, Deonte Jackson, is only a junior, and sophomore scatback Princeton McCarty - who has been out a few days with a knee problem but will return to practice today - put up 6.2 yards a carry as a freshman.

But there have been plenty of others taking carries, including Devon Sturdivant, Troy Vital and Corey White (who led Wednesday's scrimmage with 86 yards).

The most forceful addition to that group is DeMaundray Woolridge, who ran at Washington State from 2005-06. At 241 pounds, he's certainly a change of pace from the smaller Jackson and McCarty.

Woolridge had that physique moving in the right direction for much of the scrimmage, especially when he ripped off a 20-plus-yard run down the right sideline by simply going into truck mode and refusing to let his legs stop moving.

He finished with 57 yards on five carries and was mentioned twice by Akey after practice.

"I feel like I can bring the power run game to the team. I feel like ... the coaches probably feel the same way," Woolridge said.

It's been two years since the big back has prepared for a season, and he's feeling the aches a bit, too - "It feels great, and it hurts at the same time," he said with a laugh.

The other part of the backfield equation on Wednesday was the play of quarterbacks Nathan Enderle and Brian Reader, the Nos. 1 and 2 players at the position.

Enderle, a two-year starter, did nothing to relinquish his hold on the position by going 7-for-10 for 157 yards and no interceptions.

He hit Eric Greenwood on a nicely thrown high ball down the right sideline in the scrimmage's first possession, and later found junior receiver Daniel Hardy down the middle for a 51-yard TD.

Reader didn't connect for as many long gains, but he also wasn't intercepted while completing 12 of 18 for 117 yards.

"We'll see what happened with today, but Nate has been ahead. I will say Brian is continuing to push," Akey said.

"We gave Brian extra time with the (first team) today so he gets the opportunity to play behind that (first-team) line, to play with those (first-team) wideouts. We'll evaluate how that all went."

Enderle, who said he's been taking weight training and film study more seriously this season, is used to these battles.

"The talent level between players is hardly ever large enough that there's not a competition going on at most positions," he said.

"So I think it's kind of a natural thing to deal with, especially at the quarterback position, which is so competitive, and you want to do everything right. And so it doesn't bother me at all."

LARKINS GONE - Those different offensive combinations were not going up against the defense of senior safety Virdell Larkins, who has left the program. He played in all 12 games last season and was second on the team with two interceptions.

"I think it's an unfortunate situation. I'm going to leave it between he and I," said Akey, who confirmed that Larkins was not in Moscow.

"... It's a personal situation, and I wish him the best. I hope it works out. ... The positive thing is he did graduate and get his degree."

Akey said Larkins was not working with the first team and that Jeromy Jones and Shiloh Keo are currently the frontrunners for the safety spots.

"It has not affected our starting lineup at this point in time," Akey said. "I'd like to see him stay and compete and try to get a job out there."

INJURIES - Defensive tackle Michael Cosgrove suffered a knee injury during the scrimmage. Akey said he was hoping it was just a strain.

Tre'Shawn Robinson was pulled because of an aggravated knee, and receiver Marsel Posey may have suffered a concussion.

SCORING PLAYS

Vital 24 pass from Enderle (Farquhar kick)

Farquhar 39 FG

Woolridge 5 run (Farquhar kick)

Farquhar 50 FG

Farquhar 31 FG

Sturdivant 26 run (Farquhar kick)

Komar 4 run (Farquhar kick)

White 1 run (Farquhar kick)

Veltung 7 run (Farquhar kick)

Farquhar 42 FG

Posey 6 run (Farquhar kick)

Farquhar 29 FG

White 35 run (Farquhar kick)

Hardy 51 pass from Enderle (Farquhar kick blocked)

Komar 13 pass from Brian Reader (no attempt)

OFFENSE

Receiving - Justin Hernandez 4-45, Eric Greenwood, 3-66, Troy Vital 3-46, Max Komar 2-27, Landon Weaver 2-20, Marsel Posey 2-18, Peter Bjorvik 2-16, Daniel Hardy 1-51, Justin Veltung 1-14, Deonte Jackson 1-14, Kyle Kerfoot 1-7, Daniel Micheletti 1-6, Maurice Shaw 1-6, DeMaundray Woolridge 1-(minus-1)

Rushing - Corey White 12-86, Devon Sturdivant 8-73, Woolridge 5-57, Jackson 9-44, Vital 6-16, Veltung 1-7, Posey 1-6, Komar 1-4, Nathan Enderle 3-1, Taylor Davis 3-(minus-4), Brian Reader 4-(minus-21)

Passing - Brian Reader 12-18-0-117, Nathan Enderle 7-10-0-157, Taylor Davis 4-6-0-38, Logan Bushnell 2-3-0-23

Field goals (made) - Trey Farquhar - 39, 50, 31, 42, 29

DEFENSE

Tackles - Tyler Brooks 6, Paul Senescall 6, Quin Ashley 4, Isaac Butts 4, Jonah Sataraka 4, Gary Walker 4, Trey Williams 3, Aaron Grymes 3, Benson Mayowa 3, Michael Plummer 3, Shiloh Keo 3, JoJo Dickson 2, Kenneth Patten 2, Andre Ferguson 2, Aaron Lavarias 2, Brandon Artz 2, Marcus Graves 2, John McKinley 2, Larry Dugan 2, Michael Terry 1, Vincent Keener 1, Jeromy Jones 1, Robert Siavii 1, Oga Faumui 1, Cameron Charles 1, Brad Marboe 1, Korey Toomer 1

Tackles for loss - Brooks 2 (-10), Lavarias 1 (-7), Sataraka 2 (-6), Senescall 1 (-7), Toomer 1 (-5), Terry 1 (-4), McKinley 1 (-3), Dugan 1 (-1), Butts 1 (-1)

Sacks - Brooks 1 (-8), Lavarias 1 (-7), Senescall 1 (-7), Toomer 1 (-5), Terry 1 (-4), McKinley 1 (-3), Sataraka 1 (-2)

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Baumgartner may be reached at jbaumgartner@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2277.