His is a very rare and unique situation. Just when running back Jayson Bird thought his career was over, he got a second chance as it were. Now he finds himself in the backfield at Idaho State after spending four years at Idaho.

That makes Saturday's matchup (3 p.m., Altitude) between the two in-state schools almost surreal for him.

A change in the rules after the 2006 season prevents student-athletes from dropping down a division with just one year of eligibility left. But there is a provision that a student-athlete may transfer if he has graduated from his institution and then enrolls in another school's graduate program, provided it's not offered at the first school.

Clear as mud, right. But that was the exact situation Bird found himself in as he graduated from Idaho last spring, and is now enrolled in ISU's athletic administration program. And it's not like Bird didn't play with the Vandals. He rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns, with three 100-yard games.

"I knew that you don't get a lot of chances like this, so when the opportunity came along I went for it," Bird said at practice this week. "I sat out last spring and missed the sport. You get so used to it and in doing things according to its rhythm."

Make no mistake, though, Bird has his priorities in order. He was completely prepared to move on with his life if he wasn't granted the extra season.

"I was going to start working and saving up money for dental school. Ultimately that's what I'd like to do with my life," he said.

Going to graduate school means somewhat less of a load compared to what an undergraduate football player has to go through. But there are issues, which Bird is taking in stride.

"I don't have as many classes, but I am in graduate courses every night from 7 to 10 and it's tough going right from the practice field to class. I don't eat dinner until 10 (p.m.) but having the mornings off enables me to tutor in biology and chemistry and that's always good to review since I'll be going into dentistry."

As if it wasn't enough that Bird is now on the other side of the field, his brother Rayce Bird is a linebacker for the Vandals.

"My brother is older then me, he worked for a few years and we've never had the chance to play against each other ever. It would be nice to have a chance to crack heads with him."

Will he speak to his brother this week before game time?

"Let's put it this way, he's my brother and I love him, that's the most important thing this week. Sure we'll talk, but we're both great competitors and when we get out on that field we'll both play to win."

Of course, this does put their parents in an interesting situation Saturday.

"My folks are going to wear neutral colors, no gold, no orange. They'll probably just wear black. My mom told me she's just going to root for both teams to have big plays."