MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) - Idaho's 35-23 victory over Hawaii Saturday made the Vandals bowl-eligible for the first time since 1998.
They haven't had a shot at postseason play since they defeated Southern Mississippi 42-35 in the Humanitarian Bowl that year.
"Six-and-one means an awful lot," Idaho coach Robb Akey said. "These guys have come a long ways. They are another step closer to some of the goals we've set. Win No. 6 means we're bowl eligible, but we don't have one (yet). What matters now is we enjoy the victory today then get in here tomorrow and get to work on getting No. 7."
They beat Hawaii (2-4, 0-3) on Saturday despite the Warriors' slight 444-420 advantage in total offense.
The Warrior defense couldn't stop De'Maundray Woolridge, who rushed for four touchdowns.
Vandals quarterback Nate Enderle also found success, completing 14 of 17 passes for 226 yards, including one touchdown on a 60-yard pass to Maurice Shaw.
The Vandals (6-1, 3-0) have been mired in mediocrity since the 1999 season, when they finished second in the Big West Conference. That was the last time Idaho finished the year with a winning record. Idaho switched to the Western Athletic Conference in 2005.
Akey was hired after the 2006 season and cleaned house, getting rid of players that didn't fit his brand of character-based football.
The Vandals went 1-11 his first year and 2-10 last year.
But this year, so far, is different. The Vandals won their season opener against New Mexico State. They lost to Washington the following week, but went on to win their next five games.
Enderle said Idaho's early success is good but shouldn't distract the team from the games to come.
"It's great for the fans, it's great for the seniors, for coach Akey and the coaches. It's a great start, but that's all it is," Enderle said. "We need to keep playing good football. Nothing is guaranteed yet."
Hawaii was led by Bryan Moniz who passed for 360 yards and one touchdown, a 21-yard throw to Greg Salas with 19 seconds left in the game. The two-point conversion failed.
It was Moniz's second straight start following a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Greg Alexander.
The game looked like an offensive slugfest early as the two teams combined for three touchdowns on the first three series of the game.
It then cooled off and Idaho took a 14-10 lead going into halftime.
The Vandals had the only score of the third quarter, a 4-yard run by Woolridge, who added scores on runs of 1 and 6 yards in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Grymes led Idaho's defense with nine tackles, including eight solos. Aaron Lavarias and Tre'Shawn Robinson had two sacks each.
Hawaii's Spencer Smith led all tacklers with 12, seven solos.