Aggies coach Hal Mumme said the junior quarterback will start for New Mexico State (3-4, 0-2 Western Athletic Conference) in Saturday night's game against visiting Idaho (1-6, 0-3).

"We were a bit rusty in spots with Chase," Mumme said after Wednesday's practice. "He hadn't practiced or thrown the ball in two weeks. You expect him to be rusty and tomorrow will be better."

Holbrook missed most of the past two games, recovering from bruised ribs sustained in a Sept. 29 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Aggies went 0-2 without him, averaging just over 10 points and 234 total yards per game.

Last season, Holbrook ranked third nationally in total offense. Early in the week, Mumme had said Holbrook would be re-evaluated after Wednesday's practice.

Freshman J.J. McDermott stepped up in Holbrook's absence. McDermott turned in a strong performance, completing 29-of-40 attempts for 319 yards with no interceptions in last week's 22-21 loss at Louisiana Tech.

"I wish I would have known he was going to play that good all along with the game plan," Mumme said. "If I would have known he was going to play that good, we would have done a lot more stuff."

The Aggies still have other injury concerns.

Receiver A.J. Harris and tight end Nick Cleaver have played at various times during the past month, since hurting their ankles in a loss at Auburn on Sept. 22. Linebacker Chris Nwoko missed last week's game with a leg injury.

All have practiced this week and Mumme hopes they'll all return to face the Vandals.

Idaho, meanwhile, has won three straight over New Mexico State but the Vandals are struggling this fall. After putting a scare into mighty USC before losing 38-10, their lone success has been a 20-13 homefield win over Cal Poly.

Idaho is averaging 22.4 points and 353.9 total yards per game, including a 166.9-yard rushing average. Deonte Jackson is going for 112.3 yards rushing per game and Nathan Enderle has throw seven touchdown passes.

Defensively, linebacker David Vabora leads the WAC with 80 tackles.