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2 plays defined Idaho State's season
Season to remember ends — Deciphering the pluses and minuses from the Bengals’ 2014 season
Let’s not waste any time and get right to the point of this column:
The Big Sky Conference coaches screwed up. For the last few days, I’ve
been trying to figure out how 13 smart football minds could come
together and make such a bone-headed, dumb decision.
When I first
heard the news, I just assumed there had been some mistake — like a
clerical error or miscalculation. There is just no way, I thought,
Division I coaches would trip over themselves to such a high degree.
So
I sat back and pondered, gave it some thought and tried to figure out
what they had been thinking. I did my best to consider things from their
perspective.
I’m still left with only one conclusion: The Big Sky
Conference coaches completely and utterly whiffed when they tabbed
Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams as the league’s offensive
player of the year instead of Idaho State’s Justin Arias.
Adams is
an amazing talent and the leader of the best team in the Big Sky.
Eastern Washington (10-2, 7-1 BSC) is the No. 4 seed in the FCS playoffs
and has a first-round bye.
Not only is Adams on a team in the
playoffs, he beat Arias’ Bengals in a wild 56-53 shootout in early
October. Before that game, Idaho State coach Mike Kramer called Adams
the greatest quarterback in Big Sky history.
“I’ve seen them all,” Kramer said. “He’s the best quarterback in this conference and the numbers tell the tale of the tape.”
There
is no questioning Adams’ ability. As a sophomore he threw for 55
touchdowns in 15 games. He was even better this season, averaging more
yards, pass attempts and touchdowns per game.
But there is a major
problem picking Adams as the player of the year. He broke his foot
against Idaho State, and had to sit out four conference games — a third
of the season.
Who didn’t miss any games?
Mr. Justin Arias.
Arias
threw for more yards (4,077 vs. 2,876) and touchdowns (38 vs. 30) than
Adams. And since this is a Big Sky Conference award, we should mention
each player’s stats during league play.
Arias had 2,890 passing
yards and 25 touchdowns during eight Big Sky games. Adams finished with
1,371 passing yards and 12 touchdowns.
The numbers aren’t even close. And they shouldn’t be, of course. One guy played an entire season and the other didn’t.
One guy led his team to its first winning season in a decade and the other guy’s team went 3-1 in his absence.
I must be missing something, right?
Should
Arias really have been the league’s offensive player of the year? Adams
is the star, after all, and his team won the Big Sky title. But then it
occurred to me, what if Arias didn’t play for Idaho State? What if he
suited up for Montana?
What if Arias had led the Big Sky in passing while wearing maroon and silver? Who would have been the conference MVP then?
The
answer is obvious. Arias would not only have been the Big Sky’s player
of the year, he’d be the front-runner for the Walter Payton Award.
Instead,
Arias wore the colors of the Idaho State Bengals. The orange and black
must have made it easier to ignore how he helped ISU win five more games
than the year before. It made it easier to shrug off the fact that
Arias’ numbers weren’t just better than everyone else’s in the Big Sky,
they were the best in the country.
Apparently those are the breaks between the haves and have-nots in the Big Sky Conference.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Idaho State vs Utah Valley men's basketball postgame
Check out the Journal's recap of Idaho State's 60-57 loss to Utah Valley
Ezenwa scores career high, but Bengals lose to Utah Valley
NOTES
Five-guard lineup
Several times Wednesday night, Idaho State went with a five-guard lineup against Utah Valley.
The Bengals played 6-foot-6 wing Marcus Bradley at the five or center position, and he was the tallest Bengal on the floor other than point guard Ben Wilson, who is also 6-6.
“I think we’ll play Marcus a lot more there, and I think he can provide us with some offense,” Bill Evans said. “The only baskets he made were away from the basket. They weren’t at the basket. And I know he can score the ball at the basket. I know he can. He’s going to have to along with Solarin.”
Playing aggressively
In part, Idaho State fought back from a nine-point hole in the second half by extending out its zone and harassing Utah Valley’s ball handlers.
The Bengals also pressed in the full court and six ISU players combined to snatch a combined seven steals.
“People get a little comfortable against us,” Bill Evans said. “I think we started pressuring up a little bit and we did a good job of being aggressive and being active and maybe turning them over a little bit.”
BENGAL BITS
Utah Valley 60, Idaho State 57
Crowd: 1,121
Records: Idaho State is 0-4 overall and Utah Valley is 3-1.
Key stat: The Wolverines had 12 fewer shots than Idaho State, but Utah Valley went 22 for 44 (50 percent) from the field. ISU was 22-for-56 shooting (39 percent).
Quotable: “We’ll bounce back. It’s not the end of the world. It’s not the end of our season. It’s still real early. We’re going to come back.” — Idaho State senior Nnamdi Ezenwa, who scored 18 points and hauled in eight rebounds in the loss.
BOX SCORE
Utah Valley vs Idaho State
11/26/14 7:05 p.m. at ICCU Court at Reed Gym (Pocatello, ID)
At ICCU Court at Reed Gym (Pocatello, ID)
UTAH VALLEY 60, IDAHO STATE 57
UTAH VALLEY (3-1)
Evans,Brenden 7-12 2-5 16; Bruneel,Mitch 5-8 5-5 15; Williams,Donte 4-7 2-2
13; Davis,Marcel 3-5 0-0 7; Nelson,Zach 2-4 0-1 5; Jackson,Jaden 1-2 1-2 4;
Hamilton,Darrious 0-1 0-0 0; Robison,Eli 0-0 0-0 0; Gubler,Boston 0-0 0-0 0;
Ross,Chad 0-4 0-0 0; Carr,Alex 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-44 10-15 60.
IDAHO STATE (0-4)
EZENWA, Nnamdi 6-12 2-3 18; HANSEN, Chris 3-10 2-3 10; HALL, Evann 4-6 0-0
8; SOLARIN, Jeffrey 4-5 0-1 8; WILSON, Ben 2-5 2-3 6; BRADLEY, Marcus 2-9
1-2 5; MAGOT, Ajak 1-2 0-0 2; NAKKEN, Erik 0-1 0-0 0; LUZCANDO, Geno 0-6 0-0
0; SLAVIK, Andre 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-56 7-12 57.
Utah Valley................... 28 32 - 60
Idaho State................... 25 32 - 57
3-point goals--Utah Valley 6-14 (Williams,Donte 3-6; Nelson,Zach 1-3;
Davis,Marcel 1-1; Jackson,Jaden 1-1; Carr,Alex 0-1; Bruneel,Mitch 0-2),
Idaho State 6-20 (EZENWA, Nnamdi 4-6; HANSEN, Chris 2-7; BRADLEY, Marcus
0-1; NAKKEN, Erik 0-1; LUZCANDO, Geno 0-4; HALL, Evann 0-1). Fouled
out--Utah Valley-Davis,Marcel, Idaho State-None. Rebounds--Utah Valley 33
(Nelson,Zach 10), Idaho State 31 (SOLARIN, Jeffrey 10). Assists--Utah Valley
16 (Davis,Marcel 6), Idaho State 10 (HANSEN, Chris 4). Total fouls--Utah
Valley 19, Idaho State 18. Technical fouls--Utah Valley-None, Idaho
State-TEAM. A-1121
Monday, November 24, 2014
Deciphering the pluses and minuses from the Bengals’ 2014 season
McSurdy named co-offensive player of the week
Idaho State’s football team broke new ground time and time again this season.
The Bengals severed a 48-game road losing streak, knocked off a ranked opponent for the first time in nine years, rewrote the school’s offensive record book and after beating Weber State 46-28 Saturday, Idaho State ended the 2014 season ranked No. 24 in The Sports Network Top 25 poll.
ISU hadn’t cracked into the polls since 2005.
But there was one streak the Bengals couldn’t break. They did not quite do enough to garner an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs. The full 24-team field was released Sunday morning and the Bengals were left on the outside.
Idaho State has not made the FCS playoffs since 1983.
Led by fourth-seeded Eastern Washington, three Big Sky teams skated into the playoff field. Montana will host San Diego and Montana State will host South Dakota State in the first round on Saturday. EWU has a bye.
Idaho State will have to be content with a second-place finish in the Big Sky Conference standings and an 8-4 overall record.
It’s with a bittersweet note that Idaho State’s season — one of the best it has had since the inception of the Big Sky Conference in 1963 — comes to an abrupt halt.
Let’s look back and decipher the pluses and minuses from Idaho State’s 6-2 campaign in the Big Sky.
Minus
Idaho State’s exclusion from the 24-team playoff. Why were the Bengals left out of the playoffs? Because they couldn’t beat Eastern Washington or Montana State. Win either of those games — contests decided by eight total points — and ISU is getting ready for a first-round playoff game.
The Bengals finished the season with six Division I wins. Teams like Montana, Montana State and Indiana State — others considered on the playoff bubble like the Bengals — all had at least seven Division I victories.
Idaho State played 10 games versus Division I opponents. Two of those were on the road at FBS Utah and Utah State. Realistically that left the Bengals with eight winnable games versus Division I competition. The margin for error was practically nonexistent.
The FCS playoff selection committee — comprised of 11 members from the conferences that receive an automatic bid into the postseason — is not bound to only hand out at-large bids to teams with a minimum of seven Division I wins.
But once Montana crushed Montana State 34-7 on Saturday, how could the committee ignore Idaho State’s loss to MSU the week before?
Bobcats quarterback Jake Bleskin went 25-for-35 passing for 301 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against Idaho State’s defense. The very next week, Montana picked off Bleskin five times and forced him out of the game because he was playing so poorly.
Six Division I wins, Montana’s victory over Montana State and Idaho State’s loss at MSU sealed the Bengals’ postseason fate.
Plus
Idaho State’s offense. ISU set single-season records for points scored, total passing yards, passing touchdowns and total rushing yards in 2014. With Walter Payton Award candidate Justin Arias and an offensive line that was equally good at pass blocking and opening running lanes, Idaho State was nearly unstoppable.
ISU’s worst offensive performance in eight Big Sky Conference games might have been against Portland State. The Vikings sacked Arias three times and held the Bengals to 5.2 yards per play. But Idaho State still scored 31 points and finished with 430 total yards.
The Bengals’ offense isn’t just one of the best in the school’s history, it will go down as one the greatest ever in the Big Sky.
Plus
Justin Arias. Who was better than Arias in 2014? The senior threw for more yards (4,076) and touchdowns (38) than any other quarterback in the country and second place wasn’t close.
Arias threw an interception on 1.9 percent of his 522 passing attempts. For reference, Eastern Washington’s Vernon Adams — who Idaho State coach Mike Kramer said is the best quarterback in the history of the Big Sky — threw a pick on 1.6 percent of his passing attempts, and Sacramento State senior Garrett Safron threw an interception on 2.3 percent of his passing attempts.
Plus
Idaho State’s nine returning starters on offense for the 2015 season. While Idaho State just finished with its best offensive season ever, it’s hard to imagine they might just be getting started. Xavier Finney, four offensive linemen and every wide receiver and tight end on Idaho State’s roster is back next year.
No team in the country returns more offensive talent in 2015 than the ISU Bengals.
Plus/Minus
Idaho State’s defense. The Bengals defense had moments when it played very well this season, especially in wins over Northern Colorado, Portland State and Cal Poly.
But there is still so much room to get better. The Bengals allowed an average of 501.9 yards per game in the Big Sky and were dead last defending the pass. They had 22 sacks in league play but 14 of them were against two opponents (Southern Utah and Northern Colorado).
Just like on offense, though, Idaho State returns enough players to believe 2015 will be better. Nose tackle Tyler Kuder, linebacker Mario Jenkins and safeties Taison Manu and Cody Sorensen provide reason for hope.
Bengals in the rankings
— Even after missing most of the final game of the season, running back Xavier Finney finished eighth in the nation with 1,495 rushing yards.
— Wide receiver Madison Mangum, who missed one game with an injury, ended the season with 1,234 receiving yards, the fourth-best total in the country. Mangum and KW Williams were tied 13th in the nation with 10 receiving touchdowns apiece.
— Mario Jenkins is 19th in the FCS with 120 total tackles and Mitch Beckstead finished his senior season 24th overall with 117 tackles. Taison Manu was 32nd with 110 tackles.
— Idaho State had the country’s No. 1 passing offense with 4,177 yards, and the Bengals finished second in total offense with an average of 562 yards per game.
— Idaho State was 110th in total defense, giving up 474.8 yards per game.
Idaho State’s football team broke new ground time and time again this season.
The Bengals severed a 48-game road losing streak, knocked off a ranked opponent for the first time in nine years, rewrote the school’s offensive record book and after beating Weber State 46-28 Saturday, Idaho State ended the 2014 season ranked No. 24 in The Sports Network Top 25 poll.
ISU hadn’t cracked into the polls since 2005.
But there was one streak the Bengals couldn’t break. They did not quite do enough to garner an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs. The full 24-team field was released Sunday morning and the Bengals were left on the outside.
Idaho State has not made the FCS playoffs since 1983.
Led by fourth-seeded Eastern Washington, three Big Sky teams skated into the playoff field. Montana will host San Diego and Montana State will host South Dakota State in the first round on Saturday. EWU has a bye.
Idaho State will have to be content with a second-place finish in the Big Sky Conference standings and an 8-4 overall record.
It’s with a bittersweet note that Idaho State’s season — one of the best it has had since the inception of the Big Sky Conference in 1963 — comes to an abrupt halt.
Let’s look back and decipher the pluses and minuses from Idaho State’s 6-2 campaign in the Big Sky.
Minus
Idaho State’s exclusion from the 24-team playoff. Why were the Bengals left out of the playoffs? Because they couldn’t beat Eastern Washington or Montana State. Win either of those games — contests decided by eight total points — and ISU is getting ready for a first-round playoff game.
The Bengals finished the season with six Division I wins. Teams like Montana, Montana State and Indiana State — others considered on the playoff bubble like the Bengals — all had at least seven Division I victories.
Idaho State played 10 games versus Division I opponents. Two of those were on the road at FBS Utah and Utah State. Realistically that left the Bengals with eight winnable games versus Division I competition. The margin for error was practically nonexistent.
The FCS playoff selection committee — comprised of 11 members from the conferences that receive an automatic bid into the postseason — is not bound to only hand out at-large bids to teams with a minimum of seven Division I wins.
But once Montana crushed Montana State 34-7 on Saturday, how could the committee ignore Idaho State’s loss to MSU the week before?
Bobcats quarterback Jake Bleskin went 25-for-35 passing for 301 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against Idaho State’s defense. The very next week, Montana picked off Bleskin five times and forced him out of the game because he was playing so poorly.
Six Division I wins, Montana’s victory over Montana State and Idaho State’s loss at MSU sealed the Bengals’ postseason fate.
Plus
Idaho State’s offense. ISU set single-season records for points scored, total passing yards, passing touchdowns and total rushing yards in 2014. With Walter Payton Award candidate Justin Arias and an offensive line that was equally good at pass blocking and opening running lanes, Idaho State was nearly unstoppable.
ISU’s worst offensive performance in eight Big Sky Conference games might have been against Portland State. The Vikings sacked Arias three times and held the Bengals to 5.2 yards per play. But Idaho State still scored 31 points and finished with 430 total yards.
The Bengals’ offense isn’t just one of the best in the school’s history, it will go down as one the greatest ever in the Big Sky.
Plus
Justin Arias. Who was better than Arias in 2014? The senior threw for more yards (4,076) and touchdowns (38) than any other quarterback in the country and second place wasn’t close.
Arias threw an interception on 1.9 percent of his 522 passing attempts. For reference, Eastern Washington’s Vernon Adams — who Idaho State coach Mike Kramer said is the best quarterback in the history of the Big Sky — threw a pick on 1.6 percent of his passing attempts, and Sacramento State senior Garrett Safron threw an interception on 2.3 percent of his passing attempts.
Plus
Idaho State’s nine returning starters on offense for the 2015 season. While Idaho State just finished with its best offensive season ever, it’s hard to imagine they might just be getting started. Xavier Finney, four offensive linemen and every wide receiver and tight end on Idaho State’s roster is back next year.
No team in the country returns more offensive talent in 2015 than the ISU Bengals.
Plus/Minus
Idaho State’s defense. The Bengals defense had moments when it played very well this season, especially in wins over Northern Colorado, Portland State and Cal Poly.
But there is still so much room to get better. The Bengals allowed an average of 501.9 yards per game in the Big Sky and were dead last defending the pass. They had 22 sacks in league play but 14 of them were against two opponents (Southern Utah and Northern Colorado).
Just like on offense, though, Idaho State returns enough players to believe 2015 will be better. Nose tackle Tyler Kuder, linebacker Mario Jenkins and safeties Taison Manu and Cody Sorensen provide reason for hope.
Bengals in the rankings
— Even after missing most of the final game of the season, running back Xavier Finney finished eighth in the nation with 1,495 rushing yards.
— Wide receiver Madison Mangum, who missed one game with an injury, ended the season with 1,234 receiving yards, the fourth-best total in the country. Mangum and KW Williams were tied 13th in the nation with 10 receiving touchdowns apiece.
— Mario Jenkins is 19th in the FCS with 120 total tackles and Mitch Beckstead finished his senior season 24th overall with 117 tackles. Taison Manu was 32nd with 110 tackles.
— Idaho State had the country’s No. 1 passing offense with 4,177 yards, and the Bengals finished second in total offense with an average of 562 yards per game.
— Idaho State was 110th in total defense, giving up 474.8 yards per game.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
A season to remember ends — Idaho State does not receive FCS playoff bid
Idaho State did a lot of things in 2014, some of them historic.
But the Bengals did not do enough to receive an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs. The full 24-team field was released Sunday morning and the Bengals were left on the outside.
ISU has not made the FCS playoffs since 1983.
Led by fourth-seeded Eastern Washington, three Big Sky teams did make the playoff field. Montana will host San Diego and Montana State will host South Dakota State in the first round on Saturday.
Idaho State, meanwhile, will have to be content with a second-place finish in the Big Sky Conference standings and an 8-4 overall record. ISU had not won eight games in a season since 2003.
The Bengals did crack into the The Sports Network Top-25 poll at No. 24 this season for the first time on Sunday. ISU had not been ranked since October of 2005.
But the Bengals did not do enough to receive an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs. The full 24-team field was released Sunday morning and the Bengals were left on the outside.
ISU has not made the FCS playoffs since 1983.
Led by fourth-seeded Eastern Washington, three Big Sky teams did make the playoff field. Montana will host San Diego and Montana State will host South Dakota State in the first round on Saturday.
Idaho State, meanwhile, will have to be content with a second-place finish in the Big Sky Conference standings and an 8-4 overall record. ISU had not won eight games in a season since 2003.
The Bengals did crack into the The Sports Network Top-25 poll at No. 24 this season for the first time on Sunday. ISU had not been ranked since October of 2005.
So thankful for such an amazing experience this first football season at ISU. So proud to be a Bengal! #WhatsNext
— Tanner Gueller (@BigT_Raw4) November 23, 2014Wouldn't trade this season for anything! Love my Bengal family! Cant wait for the next couple of years! 🐯🏈
— BURT (@Yaboyburt29) November 23, 2014So proud of this program! Doing things better than its ever been done! Such an amazing experience! Nobody can ever take the memories! #GoISU
— Coach Sheldon Cross (@CoachCrossISU) November 23, 2014No playoffs this year but plenty of great memories. We can't wait to see you #PackTheDome next year. pic.twitter.com/mZIAQf6TDA
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) November 23, 2014
TSN FCS Poll
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The top 25 teams in the Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Nov. 22, points and previous ranking:
Record
|
Pts
|
Pvs
| |
1. New Hampshire (93)
|
10-1
|
3585
|
1
|
2. North Dakota State (39)
|
11-1
|
3472
|
3
|
3. Jacksonville State (14)
|
10-1
|
3360
|
4
|
4. Eastern Washington
|
10-2
|
3191
|
5
|
5. Villanova
|
10-2
|
2962
|
6
|
6. Coastal Carolina
|
11-1
|
2783
|
2
|
7. Illinois State
|
10-1
|
2766
|
8
|
8. Chattanooga
|
9-3
|
2494
|
9
|
9. Fordham
|
10-2
|
2362
|
7
|
10. Northern Iowa
|
8-4
|
2328
|
11
|
11. Southeastern Louisiana
|
9-3
|
2326
|
10
|
12. Montana
|
8-4
|
2027
|
13
|
13. Harvard
|
10-0
|
1620
|
15
|
14. South Dakota State
|
8-4
|
1592
|
16
|
15. James Madison
|
9-3
|
1558
|
17
|
16. Eastern Kentucky
|
9-3
|
1486
|
14
|
17. Montana State
|
8-4
|
1411
|
12
|
18. Richmond
|
8-4
|
1130
|
21
|
19. Sam Houston State
|
8-4
|
940
|
23
|
20. Liberty
|
8-4
|
648
|
NR
|
21. Youngstown State
|
7-5
|
551
|
20
|
22. Bethune-Cookman
|
9-3
|
463
|
25
|
23. William & Mary
|
7-5
|
459
|
22
|
24. Idaho State
|
8-4
|
404
|
NR
|
25. Indiana State
|
7-5
|
399
|
18
|
Others receiving votes: Sacred Heart 350, McNeese State 261, North Carolina A&T 75, Stephen F. Austin 74, Charleston Southern 67, Yale 42, Lamar 35, Bryant 24, Samford 23, Southern Illinois 22, Morgan State 22, Alcorn State 20, Cal Poly 17, Dartmouth 16, Northern Arizona 12, Grambling State 11, Jacksonville 11, Bucknell 9, South Carolina State 8, Wagner 7, North Carolina Central 6, Jackson State 5, Western Carolina 5, San Diego 4, Albany 3, Sacramento State 3, Central Arkansas 1.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Idaho State postgame coverage vs Weber State
COVERAGE of Idaho State's win over Weber State on Saturday at Holt Arena
Are they in? Bengals knock off Weber State
With Finney out, McSurdy has a career day
‘Wouldn’t have it any other way’ — ISU football defies expectations, finishes season with 8 wins
Photo gallery from the game
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE DOME
Historic win
Idaho State’s 46-28 win over Weber State was the Bengals’ eighth victory of the season. It is the seventh time in the history of the ISU football program that Idaho State was won eight or more games in a season.
Justin Arias’ 322 passing yards pushed the senior quarterback to 4,076 yards this season. The ISU signal caller is the ninth player in Big Sky Conference history to break the 4,000-yard mark.
Idaho State finished undefeated at home for the first time since 2003.
McSurdy’s big night
Daniel McSurdy’s 266 rushing yards is the third-best rushing performance by a Bengal running back ever. Nick Whitworth holds the school record with 273 yards against Fort Lewis in 1999.
McSurdy’s rushing total is the most by a Big Sky Conference player this year and the fourth-best performance by any FCS tail back in 2014.
Idaho State also broke a 57-year record for the most rushing yards in a season. The Bengals ran for 333 yards against Weber State and finished with 2,718 yards for the season. The previous record was 2,442 yards in a season by the 1957 ISU football team.
Bengal injuries
Starting ISU cornerback Brandon Golden went down with an injury in the second quarter and did not return.
Golden’s replacement, Khary Livingston-Coleman, intercepted Weber State quarterback Billy Green in the fourth quarter.
“He’s our fourth corner,” said Idaho State coach Mike Kramer of Livingston-Coleman. “And for him to be able to go in the game and play like he’s been playing all game is just a mark of the width and depth of this team. I’m extremely proud of us.”
On other injury notes, Bengals running back Xavier Finney was a game-time decision. Finney started but after one carry left the game and did not return.
Freshman linebacker Mario Jenkins was not on Idaho State two-deep depth chart during the week, but Jenkins started and finished with 12 tackles against the Wildcats.
SCORING SUMMARY
IDAHO STATE 46, WEBER STATE 28
WEBER STATE 11 3 14 0 — 28
IDAHO STATE 19 10 7 10 — 46
FIRST QUARTER
ISU — Hagen Graves 19-yard pass from Justin Arias (Zak Johnson kick), 13:52. Key plays: Arias opened the game with a 45-yard strike to KW Williams to put the Bengals in scoring position. Short gains by Xavier Finney and Daniel McSurdy set up Arias’ TD pass to Graves. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:08. Idaho State 7, Weber State 0.
WSU — Shaydon Kehano 3-yard pass from Jadrian Clark (Tyler Parsons pass from Cody McKague), 12:03. Key plays: Clark opened Weber’s initial drive with a 52-yard completion downfield to Cameron Livingston. The Wildcats scored and took the lead four plays later, answering ISU’s 4-play scoring drive with a 5-play scoring drive. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:49. Weber State 8, Idaho State 7.
ISU — Daniel McSurdy 75-yard run (kick failed), 11:45. Key play: McSurdy broke free on the Bengals’ first play to grab the lead for ISU. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11. Idaho State 13, Weber State 8.
ISU — Daniel McSurdy 54-yard run (run failed), 7:44. Key play: McSurdy took another opening play to the house. Drive: 1 play, 54 yards, 0:10. Idaho State 19, Weber State 8.
WSU — Josh Kealamakia 42-yard field goal, 2:05. Key plays: Starting quarterback Clark left with an injury and was replaced by Billy Green. Before exiting the game, Clark completed one of two passes for 27 yards and ran for 11 more on the possession. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:19. Idaho State 19, Weber State 11.
SECOND QUARTER
WSU — Josh Kealamakia 26-yard field goal, 11:40. Key plays: Green and Drew Batchelor hooked up for 22 yards on a flea flicker to get the Wildcats near the red zone. Bo Bolen carried the ball four times for 18 yards down to the 4, and a false start penalty on fourth down pushed Weber back 5 yards. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:06. Idaho State 19, Weber State 14.
ISU — Madison Mangum 17-yard pass from Arias (Johnson kick), 8:28. Key plays: McSurdy picked up 27 yards and Arias went 3 for 6 through the air for 40 yards, targeting Mangum three times (one completion). Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:12. Idaho State 26, Weber State 14.
ISU — Zak Johnson 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Key plays: Arias completed 4-of-5 passes for 43 yards and ISU was the beneficiary of a 15-yard personal foul. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 1:04. Idaho State 29, Weber State 14.
THIRD QUARTER
WSU — Karl Finai 13-yard pass from Green (Kealamakia kick), 4:45. Key plays: Green was a perfect 3-for-3 for 37 yards, Bolen added 21 rushing yards on three carries. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:38. Idaho State 29, Weber State 21.
ISU — Broc Malcom 30-yard pass from Arias (Johnson kick), 2:33. Key plays: Arias was 4 for 4 for 62 yards and hit Malcom twice for 39 yards. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:12. Idaho State 36, Weber State 21.
WSU — Bo Bolen 32-yard run (Kealamakia kick), 0:39. Key plays: Green completed 2-of-3 passes for 56 yards including a 37-yarder to Kehano to get the Wildcats into Bengals’ territory. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:54. Idaho State 36, Weber State 28.
FOURTH QUARTER
ISU — Zak Johnson 28-yard field goal, 12:45. Key plays: The Bengals moved deep into Weber territory via penalties. Mangum drew two pass interference calls totaling 21 yards. Arias went 2 for 4 for 45 yards. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 2:54. Idaho State 39, Weber State 28.
ISU — Jakori Ford 9-yard run (Johnson kick), 0:37. Key plays: On ISU’s final drive of the regular season, Arias completed a pass to himself, McSurdy ran for 28 yards and Ford picked up 50 yards on five carries. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 1:57. Idaho State 46, Weber State 28.
Are they in? Bengals knock off Weber State
With Finney out, McSurdy has a career day
‘Wouldn’t have it any other way’ — ISU football defies expectations, finishes season with 8 wins
Photo gallery from the game
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE DOME
Historic win
Idaho State’s 46-28 win over Weber State was the Bengals’ eighth victory of the season. It is the seventh time in the history of the ISU football program that Idaho State was won eight or more games in a season.
Justin Arias’ 322 passing yards pushed the senior quarterback to 4,076 yards this season. The ISU signal caller is the ninth player in Big Sky Conference history to break the 4,000-yard mark.
Idaho State finished undefeated at home for the first time since 2003.
McSurdy’s big night
Daniel McSurdy’s 266 rushing yards is the third-best rushing performance by a Bengal running back ever. Nick Whitworth holds the school record with 273 yards against Fort Lewis in 1999.
McSurdy’s rushing total is the most by a Big Sky Conference player this year and the fourth-best performance by any FCS tail back in 2014.
Idaho State also broke a 57-year record for the most rushing yards in a season. The Bengals ran for 333 yards against Weber State and finished with 2,718 yards for the season. The previous record was 2,442 yards in a season by the 1957 ISU football team.
Bengal injuries
Starting ISU cornerback Brandon Golden went down with an injury in the second quarter and did not return.
Golden’s replacement, Khary Livingston-Coleman, intercepted Weber State quarterback Billy Green in the fourth quarter.
“He’s our fourth corner,” said Idaho State coach Mike Kramer of Livingston-Coleman. “And for him to be able to go in the game and play like he’s been playing all game is just a mark of the width and depth of this team. I’m extremely proud of us.”
On other injury notes, Bengals running back Xavier Finney was a game-time decision. Finney started but after one carry left the game and did not return.
Freshman linebacker Mario Jenkins was not on Idaho State two-deep depth chart during the week, but Jenkins started and finished with 12 tackles against the Wildcats.
SCORING SUMMARY
IDAHO STATE 46, WEBER STATE 28
WEBER STATE 11 3 14 0 — 28
IDAHO STATE 19 10 7 10 — 46
FIRST QUARTER
ISU — Hagen Graves 19-yard pass from Justin Arias (Zak Johnson kick), 13:52. Key plays: Arias opened the game with a 45-yard strike to KW Williams to put the Bengals in scoring position. Short gains by Xavier Finney and Daniel McSurdy set up Arias’ TD pass to Graves. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:08. Idaho State 7, Weber State 0.
WSU — Shaydon Kehano 3-yard pass from Jadrian Clark (Tyler Parsons pass from Cody McKague), 12:03. Key plays: Clark opened Weber’s initial drive with a 52-yard completion downfield to Cameron Livingston. The Wildcats scored and took the lead four plays later, answering ISU’s 4-play scoring drive with a 5-play scoring drive. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:49. Weber State 8, Idaho State 7.
ISU — Daniel McSurdy 75-yard run (kick failed), 11:45. Key play: McSurdy broke free on the Bengals’ first play to grab the lead for ISU. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11. Idaho State 13, Weber State 8.
ISU — Daniel McSurdy 54-yard run (run failed), 7:44. Key play: McSurdy took another opening play to the house. Drive: 1 play, 54 yards, 0:10. Idaho State 19, Weber State 8.
WSU — Josh Kealamakia 42-yard field goal, 2:05. Key plays: Starting quarterback Clark left with an injury and was replaced by Billy Green. Before exiting the game, Clark completed one of two passes for 27 yards and ran for 11 more on the possession. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:19. Idaho State 19, Weber State 11.
SECOND QUARTER
WSU — Josh Kealamakia 26-yard field goal, 11:40. Key plays: Green and Drew Batchelor hooked up for 22 yards on a flea flicker to get the Wildcats near the red zone. Bo Bolen carried the ball four times for 18 yards down to the 4, and a false start penalty on fourth down pushed Weber back 5 yards. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:06. Idaho State 19, Weber State 14.
ISU — Madison Mangum 17-yard pass from Arias (Johnson kick), 8:28. Key plays: McSurdy picked up 27 yards and Arias went 3 for 6 through the air for 40 yards, targeting Mangum three times (one completion). Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:12. Idaho State 26, Weber State 14.
ISU — Zak Johnson 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Key plays: Arias completed 4-of-5 passes for 43 yards and ISU was the beneficiary of a 15-yard personal foul. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 1:04. Idaho State 29, Weber State 14.
THIRD QUARTER
WSU — Karl Finai 13-yard pass from Green (Kealamakia kick), 4:45. Key plays: Green was a perfect 3-for-3 for 37 yards, Bolen added 21 rushing yards on three carries. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:38. Idaho State 29, Weber State 21.
ISU — Broc Malcom 30-yard pass from Arias (Johnson kick), 2:33. Key plays: Arias was 4 for 4 for 62 yards and hit Malcom twice for 39 yards. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:12. Idaho State 36, Weber State 21.
WSU — Bo Bolen 32-yard run (Kealamakia kick), 0:39. Key plays: Green completed 2-of-3 passes for 56 yards including a 37-yarder to Kehano to get the Wildcats into Bengals’ territory. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:54. Idaho State 36, Weber State 28.
FOURTH QUARTER
ISU — Zak Johnson 28-yard field goal, 12:45. Key plays: The Bengals moved deep into Weber territory via penalties. Mangum drew two pass interference calls totaling 21 yards. Arias went 2 for 4 for 45 yards. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 2:54. Idaho State 39, Weber State 28.
ISU — Jakori Ford 9-yard run (Johnson kick), 0:37. Key plays: On ISU’s final drive of the regular season, Arias completed a pass to himself, McSurdy ran for 28 yards and Ford picked up 50 yards on five carries. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 1:57. Idaho State 46, Weber State 28.
Friday, November 21, 2014
ISU GAME DAY — Crucial matchup, 3 keys
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| Doug Lindley/Idaho State Journal |
MORE game day coverage
ISU GAME DAY — Ignoring the distractions
MORE Idaho State football coverage from this week
Bengals ‘on the bubble’ as playoffs loom
ISU football notebook: Big Sky’s leading rusher injured
The good and the bad: ISU at MSU — Deciphering the pluses and minuses from the Bengals’ loss
SOME COVERAGE from the Standard Examiner
Jadrian Clark - tough in the face of adversity
TODAY’S CRUCIAL MATCHUP
Idaho State vs its reputation
A win today guarantees Idaho State nothing other than an eight-win season. The Bengals would be eligible for a spot in the postseason, but there are too many moving parts to hammer down with any certainty that ISU would power its way into the 24-team playoff with a victory over Weber State.
The 24-team field will be revealed on the FCS Selection Show on Sunday from 9-10 a.m. on ESPNU.
Idaho State’s chances of making the playoff would feel a lot more secure if the Bengals were a team like Montana, a program that began the 2014 season ranked as high as No. 5. The Grizzlies have the exact same record as Idaho State (7-4, 5-2 BSC), but UM hasn’t fallen below No. 15 in the FCS Coaches’ Poll at any point of the season.
All of that is outside noise the Bengals have no control over, of course. And in reality, their job today is straightforward: beat Weber State.
A blowout victory over the Wildcats could send a message.
But that will be no easy task. Weber State leads the series with ISU 39-14 and has won the last 11 games by nearly 18 points per game.
“I don’t want to call it bad blood, but they’re a chippy team,” said ISU running back Daniel McSurdy. “They always have been since I’ve played them. But it’s been a year where everything has changed. What records haven’t we broke this year? What streaks haven’t we snapped? Once again, I don’t see it being any different.”
The Wildcats have a miserable record (2-9). But they’ve won their last two games, and sophomore quarterback Jadrian Clark has been getting better every start after taking over under center against Northern Arizona.
Clark threw for 90 yards and an interception against the Lumberjacks. Since then, he’s thrown for 251 yards and 235 yards, respectively, in the last two games and has helped negate three total interceptions with six passing touchdowns.
With Clark at QB, the Wildcats have been committed to the ground game. In the last three games, Weber State has run the ball 121 times and thrown 75 passes.
No matter how the Wildcats decide to attack Idaho State, it’s up to the Bengals to adjust and find a way. Their playoff lives depend on it.
“At the end of the day, as we go into this game, we’ve lost two conference games by a total of eight points to the two teams that are ranked above us,” said Idaho State coach Mike Kramer. “And we’re pretty proud of that effort that we’ve got to that point, and we’re bitterly disappointed that we’re not undefeated in the conference.”
IDAHO STATE KEYS TO SUCCESS
1
Dominate the line of scrimmage. Montana State beat up the Bengals at the point of attack. The Bobcats shoved ISU around in the cold, and MSU’s 32 first downs helped eat up more than 40 minutes of the clock.
For huge chunks of the game all the Bengals’ offense could do was sit and wait for their opportunity.
But against Weber State, it’s time for ISU to reestablish its identity, particularly the offensive line. Weber State is 10th in the Big Sky during conference games, allowing 204 yards a game.
“Our offensive line has been the difference from this year to any other year I’ve been here,” said Idaho State offensive coordinator Don Bailey.
ISU’s line on offense has been good all season. It’s on the defensive side of the ball where the Bengals have struggled at times. Injuries have been part of the problem. Most recently, Declo-native Sage Warner was hurt against Cal Poly and is out for the season. Senior Robby Mackesey went down with an injury versus Cal Poly, too. But he battled his way back onto the field last week against the Bobcats.
Nose tackle Tyler Kuder has been the most dependable force in the defensive line. In his junior season, Kuder has 52 tackles, two-and-a-half tackles for loss, one-and-a-half sacks and four quarterback hurries.
2
Be better on third and fourth down. Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer said some of the Bengals’ old demons raised “their ugly head” at Montana State a week ago. The Bobcats picked up 568 total yards of offense, including 262 yards on the ground.
MSU was effective on third and fourth down, going 14 for 20.
“That’s just unacceptable,” Kramer said. “You can’t win games on the road, at home, in my backyard, in my basement when you perform like that on third down and fourth down.”
Bengals co-defensive coordinator Spencer Toone said some of the credit went to the Bobcats, but many times it came down to Idaho State just not playing well enough.
“There (were) times when we did not execute,” Toone said. “We were in calls that would have been good to what they were doing. We just didn’t execute. They made the plays when they needed to.”
Toone admitted that it was frustrating and acknowledged that for the Bengals, third down is everything.
“Third down to us is the only down,” Toone said. “I’ve always been very conscious of third down, how we can be better at it. But we did not do a good job that game.”
In seven Big Sky Conference games, Weber State is dead last in the league converting 31 percent (27 for 87) of its third-down attempts. It’s a great opportunity for ISU’s defense to buckle down and find itself.
3
Overcome the loss of Xavier Finney and Mario Jenkins. There hasn’t been a running back in the Big Sky Conference more dependable than Finney, who has a league-high 1,487 yards. He’s 113 yards shy of becoming the 14th player in Big Sky history to break the 1,600-yard mark.
But Finney is out of today’s game with an undisclosed injury. Idaho State is not ruling out a possible return for Finney if the Bengals advance into the postseason.
“Bailey always says next guy up, and that’s Danny (McSurdy),” said Idaho State quarterback Justin Arias. “I think he’s ready. He’s been ready when (Finney) needs a break and now he’s getting the shots for first team. So he’s ready to go.”
Finney will not play, and Jenkins, a freshman linebacker, will not start. His availability to play in a backup role is not known.
Jenkins was inserted into the staring lineup at the beginning of the season after senior PJ Gremaud was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.
Jenkins played so well that he remained in the starting role even after Gremaud was reinstated. Now Gremaud, a senior, gets a chance to make a major impact on senior day.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Kramer named finalist for Eddie Robinson Award
It isn’t just folks in Pocatello who are taking notice of Idaho State’s turnaround in the football program.
Bengals coach Mike Kramer has been named one of 20 finalists for the 2014 Eddie Robinson Award, given annually to the FCS coach of the year.
With one game left in the regular season, Kramer has led the Bengals to a 5-2 record in the Big Sky Conference and Idaho State is threatening to reach the postseason for the first time since 1983.
This year’s list of finalists includes one past winner, 2005 recipient Sean McDonnell of top-ranked New Hampshire. There are five finalists in their first season as their school’s head coach — Clint Conque of Stephen F. Austin, Broderick Fobbs of Grambling State, John Grass of Jacksonville State, Chris Klieman of North Dakota State and Everett Withers of James Madison.
ISU’s seven wins this season are more than the Bengals have had since 2003. Kramer won six games total in his first three years at Idaho State.
Key to Idaho State’s turnaround has been its high-octane offense that leads the nation in passing and first downs and is averaging a Big Sky-high 42.7 points per game.
Twelve of the finalists have led their teams into The Sports Network Top 25, a poll the Bengals have not been able to crack. ISU has 153 points in the TSN top 25 and would be No. 27.
Eastern Washington’s Beau Baldwin joins Kramer as the lone other finalist from the Big Sky.
A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the Robinson Award, now in its 28th year. The winner will be announced Dec. 15 at The Sports Network FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation.
The 2014 Eddie Robinson Award finalists:
Beau Baldwin, Eastern Washington (Big Sky Conference)
Rod Broadway, North Carolina A&T (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Clint Conque, Stephen F. Austin (Southland Conference)
Marty Fine, Bryant (Northeast Conference)
Broderick Fobbs, Grambling State (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
John Grass, Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley Conference)
Dean Hood, Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley Conference)
Russ Huesman, Chattanooga (Southern Conference)
Chris Klieman, North Dakota State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Mike Kramer, Idaho State (Big Sky Conference)
Dale Lindsey, San Diego (Pioneer Football League)
Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire (CAA Football)
Joe Moglia, Coastal Carolina (Big South Conference)
Tim Murphy, Harvard (Ivy League)
Tony Reno, Yale (Ivy League)
Mike Sanford, Indiana State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Brock Spack, Illinois State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Mark Speir, Western Carolina (Southern Conference)
Joe Susan, Bucknell (Patriot League)
Everett Withers, James Madison (CAA Football)
Bengals coach Mike Kramer has been named one of 20 finalists for the 2014 Eddie Robinson Award, given annually to the FCS coach of the year.
With one game left in the regular season, Kramer has led the Bengals to a 5-2 record in the Big Sky Conference and Idaho State is threatening to reach the postseason for the first time since 1983.
This year’s list of finalists includes one past winner, 2005 recipient Sean McDonnell of top-ranked New Hampshire. There are five finalists in their first season as their school’s head coach — Clint Conque of Stephen F. Austin, Broderick Fobbs of Grambling State, John Grass of Jacksonville State, Chris Klieman of North Dakota State and Everett Withers of James Madison.
ISU’s seven wins this season are more than the Bengals have had since 2003. Kramer won six games total in his first three years at Idaho State.
Key to Idaho State’s turnaround has been its high-octane offense that leads the nation in passing and first downs and is averaging a Big Sky-high 42.7 points per game.
Twelve of the finalists have led their teams into The Sports Network Top 25, a poll the Bengals have not been able to crack. ISU has 153 points in the TSN top 25 and would be No. 27.
Eastern Washington’s Beau Baldwin joins Kramer as the lone other finalist from the Big Sky.
A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the Robinson Award, now in its 28th year. The winner will be announced Dec. 15 at The Sports Network FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation.
The 2014 Eddie Robinson Award finalists:
Beau Baldwin, Eastern Washington (Big Sky Conference)
Rod Broadway, North Carolina A&T (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Clint Conque, Stephen F. Austin (Southland Conference)
Marty Fine, Bryant (Northeast Conference)
Broderick Fobbs, Grambling State (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
John Grass, Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley Conference)
Dean Hood, Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley Conference)
Russ Huesman, Chattanooga (Southern Conference)
Chris Klieman, North Dakota State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Mike Kramer, Idaho State (Big Sky Conference)
Dale Lindsey, San Diego (Pioneer Football League)
Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire (CAA Football)
Joe Moglia, Coastal Carolina (Big South Conference)
Tim Murphy, Harvard (Ivy League)
Tony Reno, Yale (Ivy League)
Mike Sanford, Indiana State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Brock Spack, Illinois State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Mark Speir, Western Carolina (Southern Conference)
Joe Susan, Bucknell (Patriot League)
Everett Withers, James Madison (CAA Football)
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Bengals prepare for Weber State
MORE Idaho State football coverage
Bengals ‘on the bubble’ as playoffs loom
ISU football notebook: Big Sky’s leading rusher injured
Monday, November 17, 2014
The good and the bad: ISU at MSU
Not all losses are created equal. Idaho State rolled into Bozeman, Mont., Saturday and played a great first half.
Then after a third quarter where nothing seemed to go right, the Bengals couldn’t rally late to beat Montana State. The only way ISU can win a share of the Big Sky Conference now is for Portland State and Montana to pull off upsets over Eastern Washington and Montana State, respectively.
As for the playoffs, well, we’ll get to that later.
One thing is for certain moving forward. Weber State is rolling into Pocatello on Saturday with a two-game winning streak and a lot of confidence. The Bengals will have to play well to avoid back-to-back losses.
Before that, though, let’s look back and decipher the pluses and minuses from Idaho State’s 44-39 loss at Montana State.
Minus
Anyone blaming Idaho State’s loss on the referees. Many folks — i.e. ISU fans — believe there should have been a flag for pass interference on Justin Arias’ final pass to Broc Malcom from the 33 with seven seconds left.
The problem is that calling pass interference on that play is a 50-50 decision. Both Malcom and the MSU defensive back were fighting for position. Here’s the truth: Idaho State should have never put itself in position to have to score from the 33 in the final seconds. The Bengals whiffed on an extra point, couldn’t convert on a two-point conversion and had two crucial second-half turnovers.
Idaho State didn’t lose the game on the final play.
Minus
Idaho State’s defense on third and fourth down. Montana State went 11 for 17 on third down and 3 for 3 on fourth down.
That’s 20 chances for ISU’s defense to get off the field, but MSU kept extending drive after drive. The Bobcats punished the Bengals in the third quarter when they went 6 for 6 on third down and outscored Idaho State 14-0.
The Bengals contained MSU’s run game but they couldn’t stop it. The ’Cats averaged 5.3 yards a carry and three different ball carriers had at least 56 yards rushing.
Minus
Injuries. Defensive lineman Sage Warner is out of the season and Robby Mackesey is battling through an injury. It has cut into Idaho State’s D-line depth, and the timing is tough considering the Bengals have played two of the better running teams in the Big Sky the past two weeks.
It isn’t just the defensive line that’s beat up. Running back Xavier Finney was hurt in the first half against the Bobcats. Finney returned in the third quarter, fumbled the second time he touched the ball and then had one more carry the rest of the game.
Finney carried the ball 13 times for 127 yards. MSU’s defense had no answer for the junior who is the Big Sky’s top rusher with 1,511 yards.
If Finney is never hurt or Madison Mangum doesn’t go down with an injury late — forcing him out of the game on ISU’s final drive — Idaho State has a much better shot of winning that game.
Plus
Justin Arias. Arias is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He threw for 370 yards and three touchdowns against MSU, and some of his throws — down the seam to KW Williams, long TD passes to Mangum and Hagen
Graves — were perfectly placed. There are only a few QBs in the entire FCS who could have made those throws.
Arias leads the county with 3,754 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, and should be invited to the FCS awards banquet in December to receive the Walter Payton Award.
Minus
Idaho State’s Big Sky championship hopes. Bigger minus: ISU’s chances to reach the 24-team playoff.
The Bengals cannot win seven Division I games, and that alone is a crushing blow to Idaho State’s playoff resume.
But here’s the thing, anyone paying attention should be able to figure out that Idaho State is one of the top 24 teams in the country. The Bengals pass the eye test and deserve a chance to compete in the postseason (assuming they can beat Weber State).
BENGALS IN THE RANKINGS
— Idaho State received seven votes in the latest FCS Coaches’ Poll. That would put the Bengals at No. 34 overall. In The Sports Network poll, ISU had 153 points (No. 27).
— The TSN poll had Eastern Washington at No. 5, Montana State at No. 12 and Montana at No. 13. Northern Arizona and Cal Poly both received votes along with Idaho State.
BIG SKY PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
The Big Sky Conference selected UC Davis running back Gabe Manzanares as the Offensive Player of the Week, Weber State defensive end Dustin Martin as the Defensive Player of the Week and North Dakota kicker Reid Taubenheim and Sacramento State punt returner DeAndre Carter are the Co-Special Teams Players of the Week.
Manzanares rushed a career high 37 times for 230 yards and scored three touchdowns in UC Davis’ 48-35 road upset of Cal Poly.
Martin tallied eight tackles with a forced fumble, fumble recovery, blocked kick and a quarterback hurry in Weber State’s 34-21 home win over Northern Colorado.
Taubenheim made three field goals, including the game-winner in North Dakota’s 30-28 upset of No. 22 Northern Arizona.
Carter returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown with 3:23 remaining to lift Sacramento State to a 48-41 win over Portland State.
Then after a third quarter where nothing seemed to go right, the Bengals couldn’t rally late to beat Montana State. The only way ISU can win a share of the Big Sky Conference now is for Portland State and Montana to pull off upsets over Eastern Washington and Montana State, respectively.
As for the playoffs, well, we’ll get to that later.
One thing is for certain moving forward. Weber State is rolling into Pocatello on Saturday with a two-game winning streak and a lot of confidence. The Bengals will have to play well to avoid back-to-back losses.
Before that, though, let’s look back and decipher the pluses and minuses from Idaho State’s 44-39 loss at Montana State.
Minus
Anyone blaming Idaho State’s loss on the referees. Many folks — i.e. ISU fans — believe there should have been a flag for pass interference on Justin Arias’ final pass to Broc Malcom from the 33 with seven seconds left.
The problem is that calling pass interference on that play is a 50-50 decision. Both Malcom and the MSU defensive back were fighting for position. Here’s the truth: Idaho State should have never put itself in position to have to score from the 33 in the final seconds. The Bengals whiffed on an extra point, couldn’t convert on a two-point conversion and had two crucial second-half turnovers.
Idaho State didn’t lose the game on the final play.
Minus
Idaho State’s defense on third and fourth down. Montana State went 11 for 17 on third down and 3 for 3 on fourth down.
That’s 20 chances for ISU’s defense to get off the field, but MSU kept extending drive after drive. The Bobcats punished the Bengals in the third quarter when they went 6 for 6 on third down and outscored Idaho State 14-0.
The Bengals contained MSU’s run game but they couldn’t stop it. The ’Cats averaged 5.3 yards a carry and three different ball carriers had at least 56 yards rushing.
Minus
Injuries. Defensive lineman Sage Warner is out of the season and Robby Mackesey is battling through an injury. It has cut into Idaho State’s D-line depth, and the timing is tough considering the Bengals have played two of the better running teams in the Big Sky the past two weeks.
It isn’t just the defensive line that’s beat up. Running back Xavier Finney was hurt in the first half against the Bobcats. Finney returned in the third quarter, fumbled the second time he touched the ball and then had one more carry the rest of the game.
Finney carried the ball 13 times for 127 yards. MSU’s defense had no answer for the junior who is the Big Sky’s top rusher with 1,511 yards.
If Finney is never hurt or Madison Mangum doesn’t go down with an injury late — forcing him out of the game on ISU’s final drive — Idaho State has a much better shot of winning that game.
Plus
Justin Arias. Arias is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He threw for 370 yards and three touchdowns against MSU, and some of his throws — down the seam to KW Williams, long TD passes to Mangum and Hagen
Graves — were perfectly placed. There are only a few QBs in the entire FCS who could have made those throws.
Arias leads the county with 3,754 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, and should be invited to the FCS awards banquet in December to receive the Walter Payton Award.
Minus
Idaho State’s Big Sky championship hopes. Bigger minus: ISU’s chances to reach the 24-team playoff.
The Bengals cannot win seven Division I games, and that alone is a crushing blow to Idaho State’s playoff resume.
But here’s the thing, anyone paying attention should be able to figure out that Idaho State is one of the top 24 teams in the country. The Bengals pass the eye test and deserve a chance to compete in the postseason (assuming they can beat Weber State).
BENGALS IN THE RANKINGS
— Idaho State received seven votes in the latest FCS Coaches’ Poll. That would put the Bengals at No. 34 overall. In The Sports Network poll, ISU had 153 points (No. 27).
— The TSN poll had Eastern Washington at No. 5, Montana State at No. 12 and Montana at No. 13. Northern Arizona and Cal Poly both received votes along with Idaho State.
BIG SKY PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
The Big Sky Conference selected UC Davis running back Gabe Manzanares as the Offensive Player of the Week, Weber State defensive end Dustin Martin as the Defensive Player of the Week and North Dakota kicker Reid Taubenheim and Sacramento State punt returner DeAndre Carter are the Co-Special Teams Players of the Week.
Manzanares rushed a career high 37 times for 230 yards and scored three touchdowns in UC Davis’ 48-35 road upset of Cal Poly.
Martin tallied eight tackles with a forced fumble, fumble recovery, blocked kick and a quarterback hurry in Weber State’s 34-21 home win over Northern Colorado.
Taubenheim made three field goals, including the game-winner in North Dakota’s 30-28 upset of No. 22 Northern Arizona.
Carter returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown with 3:23 remaining to lift Sacramento State to a 48-41 win over Portland State.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Game day: Idaho State at No. 12 Montana State
Game day coverage of Idaho State's game at Montana State
FEATURE STORY
Kramer's comeback: ISU visits Montana State and the stakes couldn't be higher — for the Bengals or their coach
GAME PREVIEW
Bengals head north with Big Sky title at stake
MORE COVERAGE
An article previewing the game from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle ... Up to the challenge
MISS any of the Journal's ISU football coverage this week? ...
5 questions for the Bobcats (a must read, Bengal fans)
Idaho State prepares for the elements at Montana State (video)
ISU football notebook: An ‘embarrassment’ Cal Poly isn’t ranked
Bengals' winning streak not enough to break into polls
TODAY’S CRUCIAL MATCHUP
Idaho State’s defense vs Montana State QB Dakota Prukop
Idaho State coach Mike Kramer always believed he would be able to turn the football program around.
“We talked about this in May. We said we have a great offensive line and an outstanding quarterback and an outstanding running back,” Kramer said. “In fact, the numbers we had last year proved that we were going to be pretty good on offense.”
But Kramer didn’t know if the defense would be good enough for the Bengals to challenge for a Big Sky title.
Early in the season, it wasn’t. Chadron State — aided by a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown — scored 21 straight points in the fourth quarter to turn a Bengal blowout into a tight 39-34 ISU victory. Eastern Washington rolled to 56 points and 617 total yards of offense in a 56-53 win over Idaho State.
The main culprit of ISU’s struggles? Tackling. The Bengals start and end every team meeting emphasizing the importance of tackling. Kramer calls it a “team-wide issue.”
Since the loss to EWU, Idaho State has played better by forcing turnovers, getting after the quarterback and, yes, tackling better.
ISU will need to be at its best against Montana State and quarterback Dakota Prukop.
Like Idaho State’s Justin Arias, Prukop is on the Walter Payton Award Watch List. The sophomore has 3,211 total yards and leads an offense that has rushed for at least 270 yards in five straight games.
“Dakota Prukop, no matter what play is called, run or pass, he has the option to make the play himself,” said ISU co-defensive coordinator Roger Cooper. “They spread you thin in the run game because you have to be sound in everything you do. ... Dakota, he’s a difference maker.”
IDAHO STATE KEYS TO SUCCESS
1
Embrace the cold. Neither Idaho State nor Montana State is willing to admit that weather could have an impact on today’s game. But it’s hard to imagine that a projected high of 8 degrees doesn’t have the potential to have some kind of effect.
“They have to play in it. We have to play in it. It’s not a factor,” said Idaho State offensive coordinator Don Bailey.
Bengals co-defensive coordinator Roger Cooper said: “I don’t think it will affect anyone too much. We haven’t really talked about it.”
But the Bengals have made sure to prepare for it.
Kramer Tweeted on Thursday that there is “no such thing as bad weather...only bad clothing.”
Leading up to the game several Pocatello businesses have approached Idaho State and asked what they can do to help fortify the Bengals for the wintry conditions.
“That’s one of the things that’s changed a lot for us,” said Idaho State equipment manager Tyson Munns. “People are coming out and just getting excited about everything we’re doing here.”
In reality, though, it doesn’t matter how many space heaters the Bengals have along the sideline. They have to deal with the biting cold for several hours and not let it affect how they execute. It comes down to one thing.
Who wants it more?
2
ISU’s offense has to find itself again. It may not be fair to demand Idaho State play better than it has in the past couple weeks after scoring 31 and 30 points, respectively. But for Idaho State to win its third straight game on the road, 31 points might not be enough.
“It really just comes down to us executing,” said ISU quarterback Justin Arias. “We had some missed opportunities last Saturday. We could have scored even more points and we probably should have. It just comes down to us making those big plays.”
The Bengals have averaged 5.5 yards per play the previous two weeks. That pales in comparison to the 7.3 yards Idaho State was picking up per play against Northern Colorado and Southern Utah.
As Arias indicated, the Bengals don’t believe their production has lagged because of who they’ve played. ISU’s offensive system is predicated on taking advantage of whatever the opposing defense is willing to give up.
“We’re pretty balanced in our approach,” said Idaho State offensive coordinator Don Bailey. “It’s a challenge for them to predict what we’re going to do next. ... Pick your poison, so to speak, of what are you going to give up. We don’t really skew far from that.”
For the Bengals it just comes down to playing better, and Montana State could be the team that allows them to do that. MSU is ninth in the Big Sky in scoring defense and has been vulnerable to both the run and pass.
3
Special teams. Simply put, Idaho State would not have beaten Cal Poly if placekicker Zak Johnson or punter C.J. Reyes didn’t execute as well as they did.
Johnson made all three of his field goal attempts and Reyes averaged 40.5 yards a punt. More importantly, Reyes pinned Cal Poly inside its own 20 on three separate punts. In the decisive fourth quarter, Idaho State’s average starting field position was its own 46-yard line. The Mustangs, meanwhile, started drives at their 9, the 44, the 26 and the 10.
The fact special teams turned out to be a net positive for Idaho State is a far cry from how the Bengals have played for most of the season. ISU coach Mike Kramer wants to see the same kind of performance at Montana State.
While it is supposed to be cold at Bobcat Stadium, only a light wind is expected. It’s up to Johnson and Reyes to figure out how to kick effectively in freezing temperatures.
Kramer is confident in their abilities.
“Those two kickers will be a definitive, positive impact for us,” he said.
FEATURE STORY
Kramer's comeback: ISU visits Montana State and the stakes couldn't be higher — for the Bengals or their coach
GAME PREVIEW
Bengals head north with Big Sky title at stake
MORE COVERAGE
An article previewing the game from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle ... Up to the challenge
MISS any of the Journal's ISU football coverage this week? ...
5 questions for the Bobcats (a must read, Bengal fans)
Idaho State prepares for the elements at Montana State (video)
ISU football notebook: An ‘embarrassment’ Cal Poly isn’t ranked
Bengals' winning streak not enough to break into polls
TODAY’S CRUCIAL MATCHUP
Idaho State’s defense vs Montana State QB Dakota Prukop
Idaho State coach Mike Kramer always believed he would be able to turn the football program around.
“We talked about this in May. We said we have a great offensive line and an outstanding quarterback and an outstanding running back,” Kramer said. “In fact, the numbers we had last year proved that we were going to be pretty good on offense.”
But Kramer didn’t know if the defense would be good enough for the Bengals to challenge for a Big Sky title.
Early in the season, it wasn’t. Chadron State — aided by a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown — scored 21 straight points in the fourth quarter to turn a Bengal blowout into a tight 39-34 ISU victory. Eastern Washington rolled to 56 points and 617 total yards of offense in a 56-53 win over Idaho State.
The main culprit of ISU’s struggles? Tackling. The Bengals start and end every team meeting emphasizing the importance of tackling. Kramer calls it a “team-wide issue.”
Since the loss to EWU, Idaho State has played better by forcing turnovers, getting after the quarterback and, yes, tackling better.
ISU will need to be at its best against Montana State and quarterback Dakota Prukop.
Like Idaho State’s Justin Arias, Prukop is on the Walter Payton Award Watch List. The sophomore has 3,211 total yards and leads an offense that has rushed for at least 270 yards in five straight games.
“Dakota Prukop, no matter what play is called, run or pass, he has the option to make the play himself,” said ISU co-defensive coordinator Roger Cooper. “They spread you thin in the run game because you have to be sound in everything you do. ... Dakota, he’s a difference maker.”
IDAHO STATE KEYS TO SUCCESS
1
Embrace the cold. Neither Idaho State nor Montana State is willing to admit that weather could have an impact on today’s game. But it’s hard to imagine that a projected high of 8 degrees doesn’t have the potential to have some kind of effect.
“They have to play in it. We have to play in it. It’s not a factor,” said Idaho State offensive coordinator Don Bailey.
Bengals co-defensive coordinator Roger Cooper said: “I don’t think it will affect anyone too much. We haven’t really talked about it.”
But the Bengals have made sure to prepare for it.
Kramer Tweeted on Thursday that there is “no such thing as bad weather...only bad clothing.”
Leading up to the game several Pocatello businesses have approached Idaho State and asked what they can do to help fortify the Bengals for the wintry conditions.
“That’s one of the things that’s changed a lot for us,” said Idaho State equipment manager Tyson Munns. “People are coming out and just getting excited about everything we’re doing here.”
In reality, though, it doesn’t matter how many space heaters the Bengals have along the sideline. They have to deal with the biting cold for several hours and not let it affect how they execute. It comes down to one thing.
Who wants it more?
2
ISU’s offense has to find itself again. It may not be fair to demand Idaho State play better than it has in the past couple weeks after scoring 31 and 30 points, respectively. But for Idaho State to win its third straight game on the road, 31 points might not be enough.
“It really just comes down to us executing,” said ISU quarterback Justin Arias. “We had some missed opportunities last Saturday. We could have scored even more points and we probably should have. It just comes down to us making those big plays.”
The Bengals have averaged 5.5 yards per play the previous two weeks. That pales in comparison to the 7.3 yards Idaho State was picking up per play against Northern Colorado and Southern Utah.
As Arias indicated, the Bengals don’t believe their production has lagged because of who they’ve played. ISU’s offensive system is predicated on taking advantage of whatever the opposing defense is willing to give up.
“We’re pretty balanced in our approach,” said Idaho State offensive coordinator Don Bailey. “It’s a challenge for them to predict what we’re going to do next. ... Pick your poison, so to speak, of what are you going to give up. We don’t really skew far from that.”
For the Bengals it just comes down to playing better, and Montana State could be the team that allows them to do that. MSU is ninth in the Big Sky in scoring defense and has been vulnerable to both the run and pass.
3
Special teams. Simply put, Idaho State would not have beaten Cal Poly if placekicker Zak Johnson or punter C.J. Reyes didn’t execute as well as they did.
Johnson made all three of his field goal attempts and Reyes averaged 40.5 yards a punt. More importantly, Reyes pinned Cal Poly inside its own 20 on three separate punts. In the decisive fourth quarter, Idaho State’s average starting field position was its own 46-yard line. The Mustangs, meanwhile, started drives at their 9, the 44, the 26 and the 10.
The fact special teams turned out to be a net positive for Idaho State is a far cry from how the Bengals have played for most of the season. ISU coach Mike Kramer wants to see the same kind of performance at Montana State.
While it is supposed to be cold at Bobcat Stadium, only a light wind is expected. It’s up to Johnson and Reyes to figure out how to kick effectively in freezing temperatures.
Kramer is confident in their abilities.
“Those two kickers will be a definitive, positive impact for us,” he said.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Idaho State at Montana State coverage leading up to the game
ISU football notebook: An ‘embarrassment’ Cal Poly isn’t ranked
Idaho State prepares for the elements at Montana State
5 QUESTIONS FOR THE BOBCATS
Idaho State plays at No. 13 Montana State on Saturday.
Statistically, it looks like an even matchup. Both teams have high-scoring offenses and each team’s defenses have had their good and bad moments throughout the season.
Of course, the matchup on the field is only part of the attraction. Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer is returning to the school where he coached for seven years before being fired.
In preparation for the game, Colter Nuanez, the senior writer and co-founder of Bobcat Beat (bobcatnation.com), was kind enough to answer five questions about the Montana State football team.
Question 1. Mike Kramer is returning to Montana State. It's been nearly a decade since he last coached the Bobcats. How will MSU fans receive Kramer? How is he viewed now seven years later?
Mike Kramer is quite possibly the most polarizing figure in the state of Montana. On one side, Kramer laid the foundation for what Montana State is now — a perennial Big Sky Conference contender with an expanded stadium and one of the most passionate fan bases in all the FCS. On the other hand, many resent Kramer for bringing in what was painted as illegitimate thugs and ruining the idyllic image of a sleepy mountain town.
Kramer wears his heart on his sleeve and shoots from the hip. He is a swashbuckler at times and his teams play with emotion. Many Montanans miss that. He’s also as good at getting a fan base involved as any coach I’ve been around. People miss that. A great many fans appreciate how Kramer resurrected the Montana State program and many of Kramer’s former players — Kane Ioane, Travis Lulay, Jeff Bolton, Brent Swaggert, ISU defensive coordinator Roger Cooper — are remembered with the reverence of legends.
When Kramer was fired, the program was a mess internally. Never mind the vast turmoil caused by the much-chronicled crime spree that included student-athletes using scholarship money to buy and sell cocaine. Never mind the murder of Jason Wright in which former football player John Lebrum and former basketball player Brandon Miller were convicted. The Academic Progress Rating was way down and NCAA sanctions were coming. Kramer’s defensive line coach Joe O’Brien was arrested for selling meth. All of it culminated in Kramer’s firing.
Because Rob Ash has cleaned up the program and righted the ship in virtually every aspect — MSU now has a glowing APR and does nearly 1,000 hours of community service in and around Bozeman each season — most would never want to go back to the Kramer days.
Question 2. With a combined 3,211 yards and 30 touchdowns, sophomore Dakota Prukop has really exploded onto the scene this season. What has made him so dynamic?
First, I must say that I don’t think there’s anyone associated with Montana State or the Big Sky Conference that thought the Bobcats would replace DeNarius McGhee so seamlessly. Not only was McGhee a two-time Big Sky MVP and one of 14 players in college football history to throw for more than 10,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000, but he also was an icon, the face of the program on and off the field. He was the most famous athlete in the state of Montana for four years running and arguably the face of the entire university, not just the athletic department.
Prukop is as good an athlete as there is in the Big Sky Conference. He’s one of the two or three fastest players on the Bobcats, all positions included. I would put my money on him having the best pure speed of any quarterback in the league including Cal Poly’s Chris Brown. He was recruited as a safety by several Big XII schools including Texas Tech. But Montana State was the only school that offered him a scholarship as a quarterback.
MSU pitted Prukop in a battle with junior Jake Bleskin for the right to backup McGhee for all of 2013. Bleskin won the backup job and started two games last season in McGhee’s absence. In spring drills and fall camp earlier this year, the battle raged on and Ash would always make sure to say Bleskin had the slight edge.
Now that we are three months into the season, it’s clear the coaches knew Prukop was their guy all along. But they drummed up the battle to keep Prukop motivated.
To answer your question, the things that make Prukop so dynamic are his athleticism and his ability to make decisions quickly. MSU is running the triple option out of the spread, meaning on most plays, Prukop has the chance to give to a running back, keep the ball himself, pitch it to the outside or find a receiver downfield. It’s resulted in oodles of big plays for the Bobcats, particularly on option throws.
“The most remarkable thing is his ability to read plays as they are going on,” Ash told me earlier this year. “I mean that both in terms of the run with all the options — I mean, there’s plays where he could have the ball, the running back could have the ball, he could pitch it to another guy or he can throw a pass, all could be possible when the ball is snapped and he gets it right almost all the time. That’s the most remarkable thing that he’s doing is that it all happens after the snap.”
If and when Prukop makes the correct read, it renders him literally unstoppable. In recent weeks, teams have done their best to take away anything over the top and they’ve also began to spy Prukop. The result has been lower point totals, but MSU has still rushed for more than 300 yards in three of its last four games and Prukop has gone over 100 two weeks in a row and five times this season. He’s as good a dual threat as there is in college football and a superior athlete for the FCS level.
Question 3. There have been times this season when Montana State's offense has looked unstoppable (averaging 53 points during one six-game stretch). But MSU hasn't topped 29 points in its last three games. What's going on?
As mentioned in the previous post, teams have been playing two-deep high safeties in an effort to take away the option in the triple option game, which is the big play over the top. Against Sacramento State and UC Davis, those plays were there to be had all night. Weber State and Cal Poly both eliminated that portion of the game while also dialing up exotic blitzes from the secondary and out of zone defenses to put pressure on Prukop.
Against Portland State, MSU was without senior running back Shawn Johnson and freshman running back Justin Paige, its two fastest offensive weapons. Johnson averages nearly 10 yards per touch and has scored eight touchdowns — four rushing, four receiving. Paige is a legit sub-4.4 40 guy who is averaging 32 yards per catch as a true freshman. PSU in turn loaded the box to stop the run and played man press on the outside. Without its burners, MSU couldn’t take the top off the defense, but the ‘Cats still rushed for 329 yards.
Another factor in not breaking into the 30s after scoring 136 points in a two-game jaunt through California has been the mistakes of MSU. Against Weber, Prukop and center Joel Horn failed to recognize the corner crack blitz before the snap on two different occasions, causing WSU sacks in the red-zone. MSU attempted field goals both times and missed them both. They also turned the ball over twice against Weber and got tricked on two fake punts that extended Wildcat drives.
Against Cal Poly, several holding penalties negated drives and the Mustangs simply played keep away from the ‘Cats. Late in the game, Prukop threw an interception on a fourth down play inside the red-zone when the Cats needed two yards for a first down. There was still 61 seconds left on the clock.
Against PSU, MSU got stopped on fourth down in the red zone one time and had another drive thwarted by two offensive pass interference calls.
Against Davis, the Cats scored on 11 of 12 offensive possessions because they made no mistakes. If they don’t shoot themselves in the foot, they would have been in the 30s or 40s scoring-wise against WSU and PSU.
Question 4. Montana State has faded in years past during the months of November and December. Do you get the sense the fan base is confident going into Saturday, or are there some nerves since Idaho State has won its last five games?
Oh, nerves abound from the Montana State faithful. Montana State’s defense has been the worst Bobcat unit this century, at least statistically, for a program with a proud, proud defensive tradition. MSU’s defensive scheme is predicated on having playmakers at the Bandit defensive end spot and the Will linebacker spot. Alex Singleton is exactly the playmaker you want at Will and he’s proven to be a star this season with 70 solo tackles, best in the FCS. But Odin Coe has not been able to mount the production of his predecessors at Bandit end. He’s got six sacks, a far cry from the 15 Brad Daly had last year in winning the Buck Buchanan Award or the 12.5 Caleb Schreibeis had in winning the Buck in 2012.
The fan base has been up in arms by the perceived offensive cold streak after they were spoiled with the ridiculous rip through California last month. Many think the coaches are being too conservative and handcuffing the offense when in reality, it’s more a matter of mistakes by MSU and adjustments by MSU’s opponents.
The fan base certainly knows Kramer, Don Bailey and Roger Cooper will come here with something to prove. The last time ISU came to Bozeman, the Bobcats thrashed the Bengals. An emotional Kramer said he felt his team quit on him during the post-game press conference. Everyone around here remembers that and knows that even if there’s no revenge on the minds of the players from either side, a few of the ISU coaches will certainly prepare with a vengeance.
With the loss of McGhee, Kirk and Daly among others from a group that won three straight Big Sky titles, a lot of folks around here thought this would be a rebuilding year. Now that it’s clear that it’s not and two wins could mean another Big Sky ring, people are very weary of this game. Like I said, Montana State’s offense has been a surprising bright spot this season, but the defense has struggled even against the likes of UC Davis and Sac State, two of the lesser teams in the league. North Dakota, Weber State and Portland State all went over their averages for total yards per game against MSU, so a team like ISU that is averaging 550 yards and 40 points per game presents a HUGE challenge for a unit that’s struggled to find any modicum of consistency this year.
Question 5. The projected high for Bozeman is 11 degrees on Saturday. How much is that going to diminish the crowd?
I think this is a game that has been marked on everyone’s calendar since the beginning of the season so I’m not sure it will have much affect. That said, last week there were only 16,667 fans there, almost 3,000 less than MSU’s season average coming into the Portland State game. Still, I think it will be a sellout or close to it and as long as it’s a good game heading into the fourth quarter, most of the seats will stay full.
Colter Nuanez is a freelance journalist living in Bozeman, Mont. He’s covered the Bobcats since 2011. He’s the co-founder and senior writer of Bobcat Beat (bobcatnation.com), a newspaper-style website that covers all Montana State sports. He can be reached at BobcatBeat56@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @Bobcat_Beat.
Monday, November 10, 2014
The good and the bad: ISU vs Cal Poly
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| Doug Lindley/Idaho State Journal |
Gallery from Saturday's game
Bengals' winning streak not enough to break into polls
Idaho State’s win on Saturday means the biggest game for the program in a decade lies in wait this weekend.
You’ve heard that before?
As the Bengals continue to win — they haven’t lost since Oct. 4 — the stakes rise to a new level every weekend. With a 5-1 record in the Big Sky Conference, Idaho State is two wins away from a league title.
And two more wins likely means ISU is headed to the FCS playoffs, a place no Bengal squad has been since 1983.
Standing in the way of a Big Sky championship and the playoffs are the Montana State Bobcats and the Weber State Wildcats. Weber State is the sworn enemy of ISU. Montana State, ranked 12th by The Sports Network, is where Bengals coach Mike Kramer spent seven years of his career before being fired.
You think he wants this one?
Before that, though, let’s look back and decipher the pluses and minuses from Idaho State’s 30-28 victory over then-No. 21 Cal Poly on Saturday.
Plus
Idaho State’s fans. The biggest Idaho State home football crowd (9,323) in the Kramer era piled into Holt Arena and made a real difference.
If that game was anywhere else other than the Dome, maybe ISU never goes up 17 points or maybe the Mustangs complete the comeback. But neither of those things happened and Idaho State’s boisterous, large crowd is part of the reason.
That’s called a home-field advantage. The Bengals could have one of the best in the nation.
Plus/Minus
Plus for Idaho State’s offensive start. Minus for ISU’s offensive finish. In the Bengals’ first four drives they ran 32 plays for 219 yards (6.84 yards per play) and scored 17 points.
After getting gashed in the first quarter the Mustangs adjusted and forced Idaho State into three punts and two turnovers . ISU ran 46 plays for 213 yards (4.63 yards per play) and Cal Poly outscored the Bengals 28-13 after Idaho State’s torrid start.
But there is one crucial point that can’t be overlooked. With the Bengals clinging to a 23-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter, they strung together a championship drive, going 80 yards over eight plays in two minutes and 44 seconds. Madison Mangum’s 24-yard touchdown catch put ISU up nine with six minutes remaining.
That final TD drive took major guts, and quarterback Justin Arias was just coming off of two picks in his previous five attempts (after not throwing an interception for 231 passes). But Arias and Mangum made the game-winning plays when they had to.
“The mark of a quarterback is not necessarily how many yards he threw for, how many touchdown passes you threw,” Kramer said after the game. “It’s how many big games you’ve won. And Justin Arias has put his stamp on this program in an indelible way. Because he leads us, really, on both sides of the ball as a humble, efficient, effective team leader in the ultimate team sport.”
Plus
Cal Poly quarterback Chris Brown is one tough guy. The junior ran the ball an astounding 39 times. He picked up 195 yards but averaged 5 yards a carry.
ISU’s defense went after Brown and delivered punishing hit after punishing hit. It seemed like any moment that Brown just wasn’t going to get up any more. But he always did and nearly rallied the Mustangs to a come-from-behind win in a hostile environment.
Plus/Minus
Minus for the Bengals settling for three field goals. Plus for freshman Zak Johnson nailing them. The final score would have looked a lot different if ISU could’ve have turned two red zone opportunities into touchdowns instead of field goals.
But, as it turned out, those field goals were enough. Johnson, who is from Meridian, split the uprights from the 35, 27 and 39. For the season, he’s 10 for 15 and has a long of 49 yards. Johnson has also had three field goals blocked this year, but he was able to make the biggest kicks of his career Saturday.
For that, he was named the Big Sky Co-Special Teams Player of the week.
Plus
Idaho State’s coaching staff adjusting on the fly without two key defensive linemen. Sage Warner and Robby Mackesey were both hurt against the Mustangs and neither returned to the game. That left ISU with few options along the defensive line that was already dealing with depth issues.
With Warner and Mackesey unavailable, David Forester had a bigger role and Idaho State largely played with two defensive linemen, five linebackers and four defensive backs or two d-linemen, four linebackers and five defensive backs.
Idaho State on Root Sports
Idaho State battles Montana State (7-3, 5-1 BSC) for first place in the Big Sky Conference on Saturday.
The game will be on ROOT SPORTS and DIRECTV’s Audience Network with coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Bengals in the Big Sky and national rankings
— Idaho State has the Big Sky’s No. 1 scoring offense in league play (43.3 points per game), and the Bengals are No. 6 in scoring defense (26.8 ppg).
— The Bengals lead the league in interceptions (12), sacks (22) and turnover margin (plus-nine) during Big Sky play.
— With 1,360 yards, Xavier Finney is the country’s fourth-leading rusher.
— Arias leads the nation in passing yards (3,384) and touchdown passes (32).
— Mangum is sixth in the country with 1,024 yards and KW Williams is tied for ninth with 10 receiving touchdowns.
— Mario Jenkins sixth in the Big Sky with 98 tackles. Mitch Beckstead is eighth (93 tackles), Taison Manu is 10th (89) and Cody Sorensen is 17th (80).
— Austin Graves is third in the Big Sky with nine sacks.
Big Sky players of the week
The Big Sky Conference selected Sacramento State wide receiver DeAndre Carter as the Offensive Player of the Week, Montana State linebacker Alex Singleton as the Defensive Player of the Week and Northern Arizona kicker/punter Ryan Hawkins and Idaho State’s Johnson are the Co-Special Teams Players of the Week.
Carter caught 16 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns in Sacramento State’s 42-21 win over Southern Utah. His catches and yards set single-game school records. Carter’s 273 yards are the most by an FCS player this season
Singleton recorded a season-high 17 tackles, including 14 solo stops in Montana State’s 29-22 win over Portland State. Singleton registered three tackles for loss. His 14 solo tackles are the most by a Big Sky player this season.
Johnson made three field goals and three extra points in Idaho State’s 30-28 win over No. 21 Cal Poly. Johnson connected on field goals of 35, 27 and 39 yards to help the Bengals maintain the lead throughout the game. The victory was Idaho State’s first over a ranked opponent since 2005.
Hawkins made three field goals and averaged 51.8 yards per punt in a 23-21 win over UC Davis.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Idaho State vs Cal Poly postgame (video)
The Journal's coverage of Saturday's game ...
Laying the past to rest — Idaho State edges Cal Poly 30-28
Fourth-down conversions tell the tale versus Cal Poly
From a different perspective ...
Cal Poly football team's road woes continue with 30-28 loss to Idaho State
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE DOME — KYLE FRANKO/IDAHO STATE JOURNAL
Big, boisterous crowd
The crowd of 9,323 was the fourth-largest for an Idaho State home game since 2005. ISU players and coaches said the turnout made a big difference in the final result.
“It was great to see the crowd come out and support us,” said ISU senior Justin Arias. “We love our fans and it’s an awesome feeling.”
Entering the Bengals’ game with Cal Poly, Idaho State had averaged 5,767 fans. The previous high for attendance in 2014 was ISU’s homecoming against Sacramento State that drew 7,652 fans.
“I just like it when a crowd has an impact on the game at the end,” said ISU coach Mike Kramer. “... The crowd got into it in there in the fourth quarter and it buoyed our defense.”
More records go down against Cal Poly
— Idaho State’s current five-game winning streak is the first since 1995.
— Xavier Finney broke the 100-yard barrier for the eighth time this season with 125 yards off 26 carries.
— Arias’ two interceptions ended a streak of 231 passes without a pick. Arias also set the single-season (32) and career (58) passing touchdown records.
— KW Williams caught his 10th touchdown pass of the season. That mark is tied for fourth on the single-season TD receptions in ISU history.
— Idaho State has rushed for 2,016 yards this season, the seventh best single-season mark in program history. The single-season record for most rushing yards is 2,442 by the 1957 team.
— The Bengals’ three touchdowns Saturday set the single-season record for most in a season. ISU now has 53 touchdowns. The previous record was 52 by the 1981 National Championship team.
An offense for defensive statistics
Cal Poly rolled off 99 plays Saturday against the Bengals and 77 of them were rushing attempts. Idaho State defenders were busy.
Senior linebacker Mitch Beckstead had a team-high 18 tackles. Junior Cody Sorensen came up from his safety spot to finish with 17 tackles and both senior PJ Gremaud and freshman Mario Jenkins had 14.
ISU’s defense was shorthanded after two defensive lineman — seniors Sage Warner and Robby Mackesey — went down with injuries. Bengals co-defensive coordinator Roger Cooper said the defense played with 13 guys all game. It was a testament to will and conditioning, Cooper said, that they found a way to finish off the game.
SCORING SUMMARY
Idaho State 30, Cal Poly 28CAL POLY 0 7 14 7—28
IDAHO STATE 14 3 6 7—30
FIRST QUARTER
ISU—Hagen Graves 21-yard pass from Justin Arias (Zak Johnson kick) 13:17.
Key plays: Xavier Finney picked up 48 yards on four carries and ISU used five rushing plays to move downfield before Arias found Graves for the score. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:43. Idaho State 7, Cal Poly 0.
ISU—KW Williams 30-yard pass from Justin Arias (Johnson kick) 6:51.
Key plays: Arias went 5 for 8 through the air, sticking to short passes before hitting Williams. Finney extended the drive on fourth down with a 1-yard run on fourth and short. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 3:42. Idaho State 14, Cal Poly 0.
SECOND QUARTER
ISU— Zak Johnson 35-yard field goal, 8:51.
Key plays: Arias completed 5-of-6 pass attempts, the biggest of which was a 26-yarder to Graves to put the Bengals at Cal Poly’s 37-yard line. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 3:57. Idaho State 17, Cal Poly 0.
Cal Poly—Chris Brown 10-yard run (Zach Schottenfeld kick) 0:26.
Key plays: The Mustangs used 14 running plays, picked up six first downs and drove nearly the whole field on their way to the end zone. Five players had at least one carry, headed by Brown, who rushed for 28 yards. Drive: 14 plays, 97 yards, 5:09. Idaho State 17, Cal Poly 7.
THIRD QUARTER
Cal Poly—Kyle Lewis 44-yard pass from Brown (Schottenfeld kick) 13:07,
Key plays: Cal Poly’s long drive to end the first half provided a momentum swing that carried over into the third quarter. The Mustangs cut right through the ISU defense, running the ball four times before Brown connected with Lewis for the big gain and score. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 1:45. Idaho State 17, Cal Poly 14.
ISU—Zak Johnson 27-yard field goal, 9:32.
Key plays: Madison Mangum hauled in two passes for 43 yards, including a difficult catch on fourth-and-2 to keep the drive alive. Arias hit Mangum on a fade, resulting in a 25-yard gain to Cal Poly’s 25. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 3:35. Idaho State 20, Cal Poly 14.
ISU—Zak Johnson 39-yard field goal, 5:37.
Key plays: Arias went 2-for-5 passing, Finney carried once for 6 yards and Mangum had one reception for 20 yards on three targets. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 1:42. Idaho State 23, Cal Poly 14.
Cal Poly—Chris Brown 33-yard run (Schottenfeld kick) 2:15.
Key plays: Cal Poly mostly stuck with the running game, getting three ball carriers involved. Brown led the attack with six carries for 53 yards. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:22. Idaho State 23, Cal Poly 21.
FOURTH QUARTER
ISU—Madison Mangum 24-yard pass from Justin Arias (Johnson kick) 6:00.
Key plays: Mangum made another huge grab on fourth down, a 25-yard fade from Arias. The 34-yard completion set ISU up at Cal Poly’s 25-yard line, and the pair hooked up again two plays later for the score. Mangum had three catches for 67 yards on the drive. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:44. Idaho State 30, Cal Poly 21.
Cal Poly—Chris Brown 2-yard run (Schottenfeld kick) 2:14.
Key plays: Brown and Kori Garcia led the Mustangs’ rushing attack, combining to run for 35 yards. A pass interference penalty by the Bengals put Cal Poly on ISU’s 2-yard line. Brown punched it in from there. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 3:40. Idaho State 30, Cal Poly 28.
Individual stats
Receiving: Cal Poly — Chris Nicholls 2-30, Kori Garcia 2-4, Kyle Lewis 1-44, Kenny Mitchell 1-13. Idaho State — Madison Mangum 10-159-1, KW Williams 4-55-1, Broc Malcom 3-23, Hagen Graves 2-47-1.
Rushing: Cal Poly — Chris Brown 39-197-3, Kori Garcia 13-105, Brandon Howe 15-63, Joe Protheroe 5-34. Idaho State — Xavier Finney 26-125, Daniel McSurdy 6-10, Justin Arias 2-7.
Passing: Cal Poly — Chris Brown 8-22-101-1-0. Idaho State — Justin Arias 22-40-292-3-2.
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