Idaho State game day vs Southern Utah

Doug Lindley/Idaho State Journal
Idaho State defensive back Kamino Ward returns an interception against Simon Fraser during their game Oct. 11 at Holt Arena.

FOR MORE Idaho State game day coverage ...

ISU game day — Madison Mangum molded himself into the receiver he's always wanted to be

The tables have turned — A year removed from a beating at the hands of SUU, Idaho State finds itself in the role of the aggressor

Here's a story The Spectrum that covers Southern Utah ... T-Birds travel to face improved Bengals

AND HERE are links to the Journal's coverage of ISU football since the Simon Fraser game ...

Bengals banking on Kramer — ISU extends contract with 4th-year coach for three more years (video)

ISU football notebook: Bengals host SUU on Saturday (videos)

ISU football: The good and the bad: ISU vs Simon Fraser 

TODAY’S CRUCIAL MATCHUP

Idaho State’s big-play ability vs. Southern Utah’s bend-don’t-break defense
A major component of Idaho State’s record-setting offense the past few weeks has been its capacity to make big plays.

Senior quarterback Justin Arias has a plethora of weapons who can break open downfield for long touchdown passes. An opposing defense can’t decide to shut down wide out Madison Mangum on the outside because KW Williams or Josh Cook will burn them for chunk yardage in the middle of the field. And with the Big Sky’s leading rusher in junior Xavier Finney, defensive coordinators can’t simply drop into a deep zone to smother the passing attack.

The Thunderbirds’ defense is particularly adept at keeping everything in front of them. SUU will force teams to be precise offensively and execute on long drives down the field.

“They try and bait you into throwing deep balls,” Williams said. “They want you to think you can make the big play because there is a lot of space out there. ... Their linebackers are very disciplined.”

ISU offensive coordinator Don Bailey said, “They don’t bring a lot of pressure. But they’re going to try and slow us down by making you be methodical.”

How can Idaho State loosen up SUU and still find ways to hit its receivers deep down the field?

Run the ball.

“We’re going to have to set up the pass,” Williams said.

Southern Utah is dead last in the Big Sky Conference, allowing 283 rushing yards a game.

In a 42-39 loss at Cal Poly on Oct. 4, the Thunderbirds gave up 452 yards on the ground. For the season, SUU is giving up a Big Sky-high 537 total yards a game.

The Bengals say they’re motivated to play well after Southern Utah shut them down a season ago in a 19-9 T-Bird victory.

 “I had one of my worst games,” Arias said. “I’m looking forward to some redemption.”

IDAHO STATE KEYS TO SUCCESS

1
Slow down James Cowser.
Southern Utah’s junior defensive end is second in the Big Sky Conference with 6.5 sacks and leads the league with 16.5 tackles for loss. The Bengals kept Cowser in check in last season’s 19-9 loss at Southern Utah.

“In check” means the Fruit Heights, Utah, native was held to one sack and three quarterback hurries.

“He came out of the same printing press that God used when he made (ISU rush linebacker) Austin Graves,” said Bengals coach Mike Kramer. “(Cowser has) good speed — plays relentlessly. He’s a little undersized. He’s facing two offensive tackles that I think are pretty good. Great challenge, worth the price of a ticket.”

If Cowser, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 258 pounds, is going to get after Idaho State quarterback Justin Arias, he’ll have to go through two men: senior left tackle Jim Bagley and junior right tackle Terrence Carey.

Bagley and Carey are part of an ISU offensive line that has allowed six sacks this season. Last year, opponents sacked Arias 22 times.

“He plays with a motor and gets after guys,” said Idaho State offensive coordinator Don Bailey about Cowser. “So that’s a challenge.”

2
Tackling and third down. Southern Utah converts 37 percent of its third downs (seventh in the Big Sky) and allows opponents to convert 49.5 percent of third downs (12th). Both are numbers Idaho State has to take advantage of. Eastern Washington has one of the best third-down offenses in the league. The Eagles went 8 for 16 on third down against Idaho State and scored 56 points on Oct. 4.

Simon Fraser went 6 for 18 on third down and ISU held the Clan scoreless through the first three quarters last week.

“The game is going to be decided on tackling and on third down,” said Idaho State co-defensive coordinator Roger Cooper. “We have to get them off the field and give our offense more opportunities and hopefully get some turnovers.”

After the loss to Eastern Washington two weeks ago, the Bengals coaching staff dwelled on Idaho State’s poor tackling. It was a major point of emphasis to improve versus Division II Simon Fraser.

 “Defensively, we continue to be in quite a state of flux,” said Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer. “Our defense continues to depend solely on its ability to be able to tackle. ... If we tackle the way we tackled last Saturday, we can find a lot of success.”

3
Avoid mistakes.
Southern Utah arrives in Pocatello with a dismal 1-6 overall record. The Thunderbirds’ lone win of the season was a 31-28 victory at home against Weber State, the only team in the Big Sky Conference without a victory in 2014. Despite all of that, though, the Thunderbirds are a dangerous opponent.

Under head coach seventh-year head coach Ed Lamb, SUU will not beat itself. It’s a team full of guys who still want to compete.

“I believe they’re very much enjoying competing in the games,” Lamb said. “They really work hard in the weight room, in the film room, in the practice field ... I don’t see finger pointing going on. I know the coaching staff is willing to take a share of the blame out front. ... I believe the players have followed suit and are holding each other accountable. We trust that things are going to improve.”

It’s not just about avoiding turnovers for ISU. The Bengals special teams unit cannot revisit some of the horrors from earlier this season.

Utah and Utah combined to return two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns against Idaho State. Chadron State and Utah have blocked ISU field goal attempts. And the Bengals’ game at Eastern Washington turned to EWU’s favor when the Eagles recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown.