Stories from the past couple days of Idaho State's fall camp, and a couple other ISU athletic links of interest.
BYU lineman on track to join team — Former Rigby standout JonRyheem Peoples almost a Bengal
Big Sky Bengal opponent series (Southern Utah): A team with high ceiling
ISU linebackers on the rise — Bengal veterans anchor an experienced front seven in 2014
ISU director of athletics Tingey finalist for NDSU job (includes Tingey's response to being named one of the final seven)
State board grants Idaho State additional funding for athletics
News from football camp — Who’s the No. 2 QB behind Arias?
There is absolutely no question who Idaho State’s starting quarterback is.
Senior Justin Arias is the guy — count on it. ISU’s hopes and dreams for a successful 2014 season rest largely on his shoulder pads.
But Arias’ backup, the guy who can step up in case he goes down, is totally and completely in the air as Idaho State reaches the halfway point of fall camp.
“Somebody has to emerge as a go-to guy,” said ISU head coach Mike Kramer on Thursday after the Bengals practiced in Holt Arena.
Redshirt freshman James Delacenserie is the current leader to claim Idaho State’s backup quarterback spot over true freshman Tanner Gueller and redshirt freshman transfer Trae Pilster.
“James is ahead because he knows more about the offense,” Kramer said. “Yet he’s still hesitant in his decision making.”
While Delacenserie isn’t working as fast as the Bengals would like, Gueller and Pilster are both raw. Each is learning Idaho State’s spread offense that demands its quarterback read defenses quickly and get rid of the ball.
All three will have the opportunity to prove themselves as ISU’s game against Utah on Aug. 28 looms. The Bengals have their second scrimmage of the fall Saturday and their final scrimmage Tuesday. Both will be vastly important as ISU figures out who has the best ability to backup Arias.
“They need thousands of reps, all three of them,” Kramer said.
Freshman stepping up
With wide receiver KW Williams sitting out of practice, Hagen Graves, a freshman out of Skyview High School, has had the opportunity to play with the starters this week.
Kramer said after the first couple days of camp it was “pretty evident” Graves arrived in Pocatello ready to contribute on the field right away.
“We’re not going to redshirt him,” Kramer said. “He’s battling for playing time in the top six of our receivers, and I think he’s right there.”
Open scrimmage/closed scrimmage
Idaho State’s scrimmage Saturday during practice that starts at 3 p.m. is open to the public. The Bengals’ scrimmage Tuesday is completely closed.
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