Idaho State fall practice day 7 — Bengals scrimmage for the first time

Read about Monday's scrimmage here. It's the first scrimmage of the year and that just means there is a lot of work to be done before the season opener at Utah.

Check out a photo gallery of the scrimmage here (includes pictures of the freshmen quarterbacks Tanner Gueller and Trae Pilster).

Early observation from day 7:
Since the Big Sky Summer Kickoff in Park City, Utah, ISU coach Mike Kramer has stuck to a theme. He says he won't build up this year's Bengal squad. They're a group that has to go out on the field and prove themselves. In the past, Kramer has come out to the media with grand proclamations that his team is playing well, they're improving and that they're ready to take on the Big Sky.

But this fall, ask Kramer how the defense is doing and more often than not, he'll say that he doesn't know. He'll say they're doing one thing well but he'll point out five other areas that have to be better. It seems that Kramer is done telling all of us why the Bengals are going to be a better football team. Instead, he wants us to see for ourselves.

“I’m in my fourth year. I’m going to give you the real Mike Kramer right now," Kramer said on Monday after ISU finished up its first scrimmage of the fall. "I’m not going to give you the pomp and circumstance. Certainly not the cheerleader, the false bravado that I had to give us in the years past. No. We’re fine. We’re good. We’re in practice eight. We’re going to be better next week." 

Quotable quote: ISU wide receiver KW Williams discusses his important role in the Bengal offense as the slot receiver ...

"I kind of control the safeties. And if you take a safety out then you’re leaving a receiver open. Or if the safety goes with the receiver then they’re leaving you wide open. So depending on how either a tight end or a slot receiver runs their route it’s very impactful from each play.”

More quotable quote: Williams talks about replacing Idaho State's leading receiver from last season, Luke Austin.

“Luke is great. I looked up to him a lot, especially last year because that was my first year playing slot. Although he’s gone, in my mind, it’s kind of hard to replace someone. It’s easier for me to make a name for myself. So instead of trying to replace him, I’m just going to try and do my thing, and whatever the coaches want me to do I’m just going to do that and hopefully it’s beneficial for the team.”

News and notes from Monday

   —    Backup tight end Tyler Wright did not participate in Monday's scrimmage. Wright had his right hand wrapped up. Freshman defensive back Anthony Ricks did not dress, and neither did freshman offensive lineman Chris Miedema.

Wright's absence wreaks havoc in an already-thin tight end group. Sophomore Josh Cook, of course, is the starter and with Wright out, the Bengals went to junior Tyler Graves as the backup tight end. Beyond Graves, ISU, I believe, only has one other tight end to go to, freshman Tate Razor.

Razor is a converted linebacker, but I'm not really sure it matters at this point because Kramer plans on redshirting the kid (who, by the way, looks like a great athlete. Not convinced he'll stay at tight end over the coming years).

—    Mitch Beckstead dressed for practice but (as expected) did not participate in the scrimmage. Beckstead is still recovering from offseason surgery, and is expected to play at Utah.

—    Sorensen, who started the scrimmage as the first-team free safety, missed a chunk of playing time after getting up slowly from tackling Mangum over the middle. Sorensen did not return to the field. Before Sorensen went down I liked what he saw. He's a big hitter who can be an enforcer over the middle of the field.

—    Local update: Pocatello freshman Andy Burtenshaw took care of the long-snapping duties during Monday’s scrimmage, and Century freshman Austin Ferguson saw some reps as a third-string linebacker. Also, redshirt freshman Thomas Ryan (Highland) worked with the third-team defense. I remember specifically seeing Ryan with a tackle. Looks like he's added weight, and could be a contributor to ISU's defense in the coming years.

—    The Bengals practice twice on Tuesday (9 a.m. and 3 p.m.), once each on Wednesday (3 p.m.) and Thursday (3 p.m.), twice on Friday (9 a.m. and 3 p.m.) and scrimmage again on Saturday (practice starts at 3 p.m.). ISU will take Sunday off.

Remember that all practices are open to the public. And right now the scrimmages are too. Just don't take any photos of videos.