In case you missed the Journal's story looking at the pluses and minuses from Idaho State's loss at Eastern Washington ...
The good and the bad: Idaho State vs Eastern Washington
And this story is from Wednesday's press conference ... Missed opportunities and a return to old bad habits on defense doomed the Bengals at EWU
ISU NOTEBOOK
Freshman Mario Jenkins was forced into Idaho State’s starting “will” linebacker spot 48 hours before the season-opening game at Utah, and he’s seized control of the position.
Jenkins was slotted to back up senior PJ Gremaud before ISU suspended Gremaud for conduct detrimental to the team. Jenkins has started the first five games of the season and responded with a team-best 50 tackles. The Columbia High School product also has 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception and defended three passes.
Idaho State has since reinstated Gremaud but Jenkins hasn’t budged from the starting lineup. And now Jenkins is one of 21 FCS players on the watch list for the Jerry Rice Award, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding freshman in the country.
One other player from the Big Sky Conference joins Jenkins on the watch list, Weber State’s Emmett Tela. There are six linebackers, one quarterback, two running backs, four wide receivers, one offensive tackle, one defensive tackle, one defensive end, two safeties, one cornerback and two kickers to make the list.
The winner will be announced at The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation on Dec. 15 in Philadelphia.
AN EMOTIONAL INJURY
Idaho State receiver Aaron Prier went down with an injury in the second half of Idaho State’s 56-53 loss to Eastern Washington on Saturday.
ISU does not comment on injuries but head coach Mike Kramer confirmed Wednesday that Prier will be unavailable for sometime.
“There’s nothing you can do about it. He will be a voluntary team captain for us throughout the rest of his senior year,” Kramer said. “He will graduate in May with a degree in business administration and be able to move on. ... It puts a lump in your throat to think about it.”
Idaho State recruited Prier to play corner as part of the 2011 class, but the Richmond, Calif., native was a running back his first three seasons with the Bengals.
In 2014, ISU moved Prier to wide out to take advantage of his speed and playmaking ability. Prier has 507 rushing yards, 353 receiving yards and 1,733 all-purpose yards in his career.
“You hate to see something like that happen,” said Idaho State outside wide receivers coach Sheldon Cross. “He’s crushed and we’re crushed. More than anything he is the type of individual that’s going to be great in everything he does from here on out, and that’s the thing he gets to hold on to.”
NOT MISSING A BEAT
As the Bengals roared back from an 18-point deficit against Eastern Washington in the second half, they were doing it with a makeshift wide receiver unit.
Both of Idaho State’s starting outside wide receivers — Madison Mangum and Broc Malcom — were forced out of the game with injuries. When Prier went down, ISU lost Mangum’s backup.
The Bengals adjusted on the fly. Tight end Josh Cook shifted from the slot to one of the outside wide receiver spots and CJ Hatchett came off the bench.
Everything fell into place and Idaho State managed to score 15 points in the fourth quarter. If anything, the Bengals were able to show off their depth at the tight end position.
Cook, Tyler Wright and Tyler Graves combined to catch eight passes for 162 yards and one touchdown.
“It seems like from week to week it’s a new guy or a different guy every week,” said Idaho State offensive coordinator Don Bailey. “To me the best part of what we’re doing now is that we have 11 guys that man the position. We don’t have to count on one particular guy to make a play.”
SIMON FRASER ON SATURDAYIdaho State (2-3, 1-1 BSC) hosts Division II Simon Fraser (1-4) on Saturday at 2:35 p.m. at Holt Arena.
The game will be broadcast on 102.5 FM and 930 AM and streamed on Watch Big Sky. Follow Journal Sports Editor Kyle Franko on Twitter @ByKyleFranko for live game updates.
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