MOSCOW - If there's anything Idaho coach Robb Akey wants to avoid in his second season, it's introducing new gimmicks to a team that has experienced four coaching staffs in the previous five years. However, there will be a few tweaks and adjustments to the Vandal offense, led by offensive coordinator Steve Axman. Axman has moved to the shotgun look and there's plenty of roll-out, option and play action to the 2008 scheme.

Akey is pleased with the look and its early results. Idaho has a stable of running backs that can catch and have good speed. And in the first scrimmage, the receiving corps responded well, something Akey has nervously awaited.

"The offense that you've seen forever - the single-back offense - this is a little different variation of it," said Akey. "It's got the quarterback back there with vision."

With a talent influx in the backfield and the two experienced quarterbacks on the roster, the decision to change was clear for the coaches.

Akey's challenge at the start of camp was for the large group of receivers to show their talent. That materialized in the first scrimmage as quarterbacks Nathan Enderle, Quin Ashley and Justin Morales hit 15 different targets.

Wearing No. 1 is sophomore Eric Greenwood. The lanky receiver (6-6, 200 pounds) has the ability to be a go-to guy.

"Every receiver wants to play in a spread offense. It fits the tall, outside receivers and the fast cutting inside receivers," said Greenwood, who had four snags for 72 yards and a TD fade in the first scrimmage. "With three or four receivers out in patterns they can't double-team you. I'm tall, so the coaches use me a lot in the red zone, in the corner where I thrive. It is a great offense."

Playing time and the spread offense were keys in luring the Edmonds, Wash., native to the Palouse.

Idaho's quarterbacks like the shotgun look. Enderle, with his 6-5 frame, is all smiles when asked about the adjustment.

"You're five steps back and it gives you time and vision, plus it has the option," said the sophomore, who was 16 of 19 in opening scrimmage and racked up 277 yards.

"It was difficult last year with losing our quarterback in the fifth game," said Axman. "Then, we have a passing quarterback out and we take a pure freshman out of the secondary (Ashley) and his talents are totally different. He is an option quarterback where our first quarterback was a passing quarterback.

"We feel a lot better about this year. I think we have a little more help in the wide receiver game and some of these young guys look like they are coming along."

Axman likes the progress of true freshmen Preston Davis, Marcel Posey and Robert Hatchett.

"They're three very talented young fellows. It's just how quickly those guys are going to mature, because they all are going to be excellent players," said Axman.

Axman said the variety of the offense will make Idaho tougher to prepare for each week.

"If a defense knows you're going to run 15 options a game, they've got to defend the option. That means that they've got to cut down on their blitzes. They've got to cut down on the quantity of their coverages and fronts. The better we get, the more pressure is off the running and passing game."

With backs like Deonte' Jackson (1,175 yard last year) and newcomers with explosive speed in Corey White, Troy Vital, Princeton McCarty and Kama Bailey, Axman says this scheme should produce.

"We do have good speed, good genes and good recruits," he said. "Right now, we have five kids who can scoot. Right now, knock on wood, we have a good stable of running backs."

Jackson has been sidelined with back pain most of fall camp, but should be OK for the Aug. 30 open at Arizona.

The Axman File Get to know Idaho's innovative offensive coordinator • Idaho offensive coordinator Steve Axman is well-known in his profession for innovative offensive attacks. He has published many books, the most recent being "Attacking Coverages with the Passing Game." • Axman has spent 35 years as either a head coach or assistant at the collegiate level. His wife, Marie, teaches for the University of Idaho in the College of Education. His youngest daughter, Kimberly, is an Idaho cheerleader. • Akey and Axman established a friendship at Northern Arizona University when Axman, then head coach, hired Akey to coach the Lumberjack defense.