Friday's links and quotes

Some more ISU football coverage leading up to Saturdays game ...

Idaho State’s early success catching attention

Check out this story from the Spokesman Review ... Eagles’ defense shows progress ... and here's another good one ... Eastern not taking Idaho State lightly

QUOTABLE 

Idaho State cornerbacks coach Stanley Franks on Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp, who leads the Big Sky in receiving yards (453) and touchdowns (seven).

“I definitely think the hype is real about him. He’s a very patient route runner. He’ll set you up with his double moves, running the corner post. Post corners and everything like that. He’s a good catcher and he knows what to do. As soon as he catches it, he’s trying to get upfield and get positive yards. He’s great at breaking tackles. The first guy seldom brings him down. ... We’re going to have to rally tackle and be aware every time where he is on the field.”

Franks on why Idaho State moved junior cornerback Erik Collins into the starting lineup in place of senior Vai Peko.

“We just felt with Collins, he’s a little bit faster. He made plays in practice. Plays on the ball — PBUs, interceptions. He still has a long ways to go. That’s what is encouraging about seeing him against Sac State. That was his first game. He played the whole game and everything. Not that he had a stellar performance or anything but it’s encouraging the things he can improve on. He still made a couple plays, had the big interception in the red zone. So it’s encouraging with him.”

Franks on freshman Hagen Graves, who replaced redshirt freshman Sage Burmeister to return punts against Sacramento State.

“You have to have something about you returning punts. It’s not easy having 11 guys streaming downfield ready to take your head off. And he’s just composed back there, confident. I don’t know if it’s because he’s young, he’s not exactly sure what he’s doing. He’s just composed down there. He has an attitude about him.”