Records >> Idaho State 6-21, 3-12; Weber State 11-15, 6-9
Series history >> Weber State leads the series 77-49
Last meeting >> Feb. 7, 2015 at Idaho State; WSU 70, ISU 63
About the Bengals >> Idaho State is 1-13 on the road this season and 0-8 in Big Sky action away from Pocatello. ... Weber State is 45-11 all-time against Idaho State in Ogden. ... Senior Chris Hansen is Idaho State’s 10th all-time leading scorer with 1,292 points. ... This season, Hansen is third in the Big Sky, averaging 18.6 points per game.
About the Wildcats >> Weber State starting point guard Jeremy Senglin is out with a broken jaw, but freshman Ryan Richardson has provided a scoring spark in his last two games. Richardson scored 17 points and knocked down four 3-pointers in a Wildcats victory at Montana State, and finished with 15 points and five 3s in a loss at Montana.
Idaho State’s 2015 football schedule has been finalized.
ISU’s game at Boise State has been moved from Saturday, Sept. 19, to Friday, Sept. 18. ISU sources say Boise State requested the game to be moved up one day, and the Bengals had no issue with adjusting.
The change of date means Idaho State will have one less day to prepare for the Broncos after hosting Portland State at Holt Arena on Sept. 12. On the other end of the spectrum, ISU has an extra day of preparation for UNLV on Sept. 26.
The Bengals kick-start the year with two games at home. ISU hosts Black Hills State on Sept. 5. Idaho State played the Yellow Jackets for the first time on Sept. 8, 2012, a 38-5 ISU victory.
Portland State arrives in Pocatello for an early-season Big Sky Conference game on Sept. 12. After that, the Bengals play four straight games on the road, including matchups at Boise State, UNLV, Cal Poly and North Dakota.
In that month-long span, the Bengals will travel roughly 5,700 miles, crisscrossing to western Idaho, southern Nevada, central California and eastern North Dakota.
Idaho State returns home to take on Eastern Washington for homecoming Oct. 17 and heads to Sacramento State on Oct. 24.
After a bye week, the Bengals square off against Montana and Montana State at home in back-to-back weekends. Idaho State rounds out the regular season Nov. 21 at Weber State.
ISU just finished up its 2015 recruiting class last week. The Bengals signed 23 players with a heavy emphasis on the defensive line and linebackers.
Idaho State went 8-4 a season ago and 6-2 in the Big Sky Conference. Over the past two months, ISU has lost offensive coordinator Don Bailey to the same position at Hawaii and inside wide receivers coach Mike Ferriter accepted a job at Montana.
MORE ON HOW ISU'S 2015 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE CAME TOGETHER IDAHO STATE'S 2015 SCHEDULE Sept. 5: vs. Black Hills State Sept. 12: vs. Portland State Sept. 18: at Boise State Sept. 26: at UNLV Oct. 3: at Cal Poly Oct. 10: at North Dakota Oct. 17: vs. Eastern Washington Oct. 24: at Sacramento State Oct. 31: BYE Nov. 7: vs. Montana Nov. 14: vs. Montana State Nov. 21: at Weber State
Chris Hansen layup. Pass from Ben Wilson. Bengals have given up 8 3s. Free throws for ISU (7-7) keeping it ... https://t.co/fkO9TM5nk8
— Kyle Franko (@ByKyleFranko) February 15, 2015
Crowd: 1,582 Records: Idaho State is 6-19 and 3-10 in the Big Sky. Southern Utah is 7-16, 4-8. Key stat: Idaho State outscored Southern Utah 42-20 in points in the paint. But the Thunderbirds hit 13-pointers while shooting 57 percent from the perimeter. Key players: ISU’s Chris Hansen nearly pulled off the comeback win for the Bengals. Hansen scored 21 points, pulled down five rebounds and handed out three assists. Quotable: “They were prepared to play against our zone. They did a good job of attacking it and they were able to make baskets. It’s not easy to make 13 threes out of 23 attempts.” — Idaho State coach Bill Evans
Records: Idaho State is 6-18 and 3-9 in the Big Sky. Northern Arizona is 12-12, 7-4.
Key stat: Senior Chris Hansen broke Idaho State's school record for most 3-pointers in a career. Hansen nailed 4 of his 6 attempts from 3 against NAU and now has 213 3-pointers at ISU.
Key players: Freshman Geno Luzcando scored four points, grabbed two rebounds, handed out four assists and snatched two steals in 20 minutes of action for the Bengals.
Quotable: "When we’re able to get stops and get steals, that just opens up so many easy buckets. It opens up the lanes for us in transition. That’s how Chris is able to get open 3-pointers.” — Senior guard Nnamdi Ezenwa on the importance of ISU forcing 15 NAU turnovers
Records >> Northern Arizona 12-11, 7-3; Idaho State 5-18, 2-9
Series history >> Idaho State leads the series 50-45
Last meeting >> Feb. 27, 2014 at Idaho State; NAU 66, ISU 65
About the Lumberjacks >> Northern Arizona has won five straight against Idaho State. Eight of the last 10 meetings have been decided by six points or fewer. ... The Lumberjacks are in fourth place of the Big Sky standings and trail third-place Montana by a half of a game.
About the Bengals >> Senior Chris Hansen has moved to No. 2 in career 3-pointers made in ISU history. Hansen needs three 3-pointers to pass David Schroeder’s mark of 211. ... Hansen is the 18th player in Big Sky Conference history to make 200 career 3-pointers.
Vernon Adams pulled up in a cart and hobbled over to stand in front of the assembled media. The star junior quarterback with arms covered in tattoos and eye black under his left eye had just thrown for 354 yards and four touchdowns while completely befuddling Idaho State’s defense.
ISU coach Mike Kramer called him the greatest quarterback in the history of the Big Sky Conference before his team lost a 56-53 thriller to the Eagles. Adams proved he might also be one of the toughest, playing the second half with two broken metatarsal bones in his right foot.
Idaho State chased Adams all over the field that day, but he kept making plays and extending drives. The splintered bones kept him out of the next four games of the season and likely cost Adams the Walter Payton Award. He finished second in the voting, just ahead of ISU’s Justin Arias and behind Villanova’s John Robertson.
It was the second straight season Adams finished as a runner-up for the Payton, the equivalent of the Heisman trophy in the FCS. He would have been the runaway favorite to win the award as a senior at Eastern Washington.
But Adams won’t be in the running for that trophy, not after deciding to transfer to the University of Oregon on Monday morning.
Adams took to Instagram to announce his decision.
“Oregon it is! First off, I want to thank God for this amazing opportunity. I want to thank all of Eagle Nation for all the love and support. Want to thank every single one of my teammates for pushing me to be a better man/athlete everyday these past 4 years.”
Why and how is Adams making the move to Oregon? The how part is simple. Adams was a redshirt junior at Eastern Washington. He’ll graduate from EWU in June and can transfer and play immediately as a fifth-year senior at Oregon.
Eastern Washington Athletic Director Bill Chaves had an interesting comment regarding Adams’ resolution to become a Duck.
“We wish Vernon the best in his future endeavors and thank him for all that he has done for Eastern,” Chaves said in a statement. “The chance for him to pursue this opportunity is certainly a unique one given the fifth-year transfer rule. We are not sure that this was the actual intent of the legislation when it was approved, but it is the rule currently in place that we and potentially other schools have to adhere to.”
Chaves, who is one of the best athletic directors in the Big Sky, doesn’t sound pleased.
He shouldn’t be.
In three seasons, Adams threw for 10,438 yards and a Big-Sky record 110 touchdowns. Those kinds of ear-splitting numbers are why Kramer said, “He’s as good of a quarterback who’s played in this conference. And I’ve seen them all, every one of them. He’s better than them all.”
Now, why is Adams transferring to Oregon? The answers are straightforward: It’s a chance to prove he’s an elite quarterback by competing in the Pac-12. Oregon just lost Heisman-winning Marcus Mariota, and Adams can slide right in and help the Ducks get back to the four-team playoff.
I guess that’s the logic. Adams told The Oregonian, “I just thought this would be a great opportunity for my family and myself to accomplish things that I've been dreaming about since I was little. Heisman, national championship, playing at the Rose Bowl and playing at Oregon. I love it here at Eastern, but this is what I've been dreaming about."
Frankly, I find the decision disappointing. As a lover of Big Sky football, it’s disheartening to hear a quarterback like Adams claim he needs a bigger stage.
What exactly does Adams hope to prove at Oregon that he hasn’t already at Eastern Washington? The NFL has 38 games worth of video from Adams’ time at EWU. If they aren’t convinced he can play at the next level, why would throwing six touchdowns against Washington State be the final factor that proves he can?
Adams is a top-notch college quarterback. Nothing at Oregon will prove or disprove that fact. He’s also a marginal NFL prospect. While he’s listed at 6-0, 200 pounds, he’s a heck of a lot closer to 5-10, 185.
Is an NFL team more likely to draft Adams because he played one year at Oregon? Maybe. But it feels like Adams is turning his back on the school and football program where he evolved into the player he is today.
Adams dominated the Big Sky but not the rest of the nation. Eastern Washington has won the last three Big Sky championships but never advanced to the FCS championship game. Last December, Eastern Washington lost to Illinois State 59-46 at home in the quarterfinals. Towson and Sam Houston State upset the Eagles on the red turf in the semifinals the two seasons before that.
Ultimately, Adams made a business decision. And college football, even at the FCS level, is a business. He made EWU better and raised the school’s profile in his time there.
Adams doesn’t owe Eastern Washington anything.
It just stinks for the Big Sky Conference and the Eagles that Adams decided not to try and finish what he started.
Idaho State offensive coordinator Don Bailey is set to be hired for the same position at the University of Hawaii, according to a report by FootballScoop.
Bailey arrived at Pocatello in 2011 when Idaho State hired head coach Mike Kramer. Over the past four seasons, Bailey installed a spread offense with a dynamic passing game.
In 2014, ISU averaged 40.3 points and 562 yards a game. Senior quarterback Justin Arias had the most prolific season in the school's history, throwing for a school-record 38 touchdowns and finishing third in the Walter Payton Award voting.
Bailey was Kramer's offensive coordinator for 10 seasons dating back to their time at Montana State. Together, averaged 3,027 passing yards and 4,401 yards of total offense a season. They won three Big Sky championships in 2002, 2003 and 2005 at MSU.
Record: Idaho State is 5-18 and 2-9 in the Big Sky. Weber State is 10-12, 5-6.
Key stat: In the second half, Idaho State was whistled for 17 personal fouls and Weber State went 21 for 26 from the foul line.
Key players: ISU senior Chris Hansen poured in 22 points and senior Jeffrey Solarin finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds. But Weber State sophomore guard Jeremy Senglin stole the show with a career-high 30 points.
Quotable: “I feel bad for them. They deserve better. But they have great integrity. They’re great kids. On Thursday night, they’re going to come out and play just as hard as they did tonight. It’s just the way they are. That’s the way they do things.” — Idaho State coach Bill Evans on seniors Chris Hansen and Jeffrey Solarin
Weber State 70, Idaho State 63 WEBER ST. (10-12)
Golden 5-11 1-1 14, Bolomboy 5-11 3-4 14, Gittens 2-9 3-4 8, Senglin 7-8 14-15 30, Hill 0-1 0-2 0, Johnson-Coston 0-0 0-0 0, Hunter 0-2 0-0 0, Richardson 1-5 0-0 2, Hajek 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 21-48 21-26 70.
Records >> Weber State 9-12, 4-6; Idaho State 5-17, 2-8
Series history >> Weber State leads the series 76-49
Last meeting >> Feb. 17, 2014 at Idaho State; ISU 78, WSU 75
About the Wildcats >> The Wildcats are 6-0 this year when leading their opponents in field goal percentage and 3-12 when trailing in field goal percentage. ... Weber State is 26-5 the last four years in February and 44-13 over the past nine years under head coach Randy Rahe.
About the Bengals >> Since the start of the 2013-14 season, 26 of Idaho State’s 34 losses have been by nine points or fewer. In 2013-14, 16 of ISU’s 18 losses were by eight points or fewer. This year, ISU has lost six games by nine points or fewer.
Robert Schwenke, 6-2, 300, Salt Lake City, Utah, Brighton HS., DL, Fr. High School: Had 83 tackles, six sacks and three fumble recoveries … first-team all-region 5A and second-team all-state … plays rugby and led the team to the state championship … currently leads the state in scoring in rugby at his position … parents are Alapati and Lata and was coached by Ryan Bullet.
Nico Aguirre, 5-11, 193, Brawley, Calif., Brawley HS, DB, Fr. High school: As a running back rushed for 1,021 yards as a senior ... averaged 8.2 yards a carry on 125 carries ... rushed for 78.5 yards as game ... had 10 rushing touchdowns and 13 total touchdowns ... parents are Javier and Sonia Curiel ... was coached by Jon Self. Matt Peterson, 6-2, 188, Blackfoot, Idaho, Blackfoot HS., WR, Fr. High School: As a senior earned first-team all-state honors in 2014 ... had 52 catches for 780 yards and eight touchdowns ... three-year varsity starter ... two-year letterman in basketball ... placed second in state in the 300m hurdles in track (39.1 seconds) and third in the long jump (21 feet 1 inch) ... parents are David and Naomi ... was coached by Stan Buck.
Luis Navarro, 6-3, 235, Imperial, Calif., Grossmont JC, LB, So. Junior college: Had 45 tackles, 30 being solo in 2014 ... averaged five tackles a game ... had two sacks for a loss of 21 yards ... parents are Leticia and Luis ... was coached by Michael Jordan.
High school: 2013 GOL Defensive Player of the Year … four-time all-conference … second-team all-state in 2014 … four-year varsity starter … four-year letter winner in football, one-year in basketball, one year in wrestling and a two-time letter winner in rodeo … two-time state qualifier for rodeo … parents are JD and Lisa … was coached by David Young.
Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer: “Offered in our summer camp and committed to us very, very early.”
High school: Named to the Tacoma News Tribune All-Area team … SPSL Offensive MVP … King 5 All-Western Washington … Tacoma Athletic Club Fall Athlete of the Year … 2,700 yards passing and 28 touchdown passes as a senior.
Kramer: He’s got a quick release, a good arm, an accurate arm. ... No, he’s not a runner. ... We’re not really concerned whether a guy is mobile or not. It’s about the ability to make decisions, throw the ball accurately and advance the football and move your football team.”
Kody Graves, 6-1, 209, Nampa, Skyview HS, LB, Fr.
High school: 4A SIC co-Defensive Player of the Year … All-Idaho first team and named the team defensive MVP … three-year starter.
Kramer: “Kody Graves I thought was as good a linebacker we saw in state, out of state.”
High school: First-team All-Region 7 and honorable mention all-state in 2014 ... all-region 7 second-team and honorable mention all-state in 2013.
Kramer: “He’s a young man who at 323 (pounds) has got some strength and size. ... Has not totally quite made up his mind whether he is or is not going on a mission.”
Luke Holloway, 6-3, 204, El Cajon, Calif., Helix HS, LB, Fr.
High school: Two-way starter at tight end and defensive end and outside linebacker ... 18.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, two blocked passes, three catches for 30 yards and was named to the San Diego Preps second-team All CIF defensive end.
Kramer: “Tremendous ability and we would probably not necessarily like to play him right away next year because he needs some strength training to get to the full potential of where he’s at.”
High school: Associated Press first-team all-state and named first-team All-Western Washington team by King 5 News.
Kramer: “Beckman is one of the leading tacklers in the Puget Sound league in Kent, Washington. That’s my favorite league in the state of Washington. The South Puget Sound League has produced a tremendous amount of college players.”
Mason Jackson, 6-1, 214, Pasco, Wash., Richland HS., LB, Fr.
High school: Three-time letter winner in football and track and field … two-time second-team all-conference as a defensive end.
Kramer: “Mason Jackson is a really unique player. He played down defensive end and we’re going to move him to linebacker. He’s a very long-armed guy who was a very productive player at Richland.”
Jake Pettit, 6-3, 230, Santa Barbara, Calif., Santa Barbara Community College, LB, Jr.
Junior college: (2014) Had 111 tackles, three sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three pass break ups ... named the Santa Barbara Junior College Defensive MVP.
Kramer: “Jake Pettit is ticketed to be one of our starting linebackers next year.”
High school: Two-time first-team all-league as a defensive back … second-team all-league as a wide receiver … honorable mention all-state athlete.
Kramer: “Tremendous long arms. He’s got leaping ability, plays on a very good basketball team. He was a very productive player.”
Spencer Hoff, 6-3, 268, San Bernardino, Calif., San Bernardino JC, DL, Jr.
Junior college: (2014) Had 51 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks for a loss of 45 yards.
Kramer: “Our defensive front outside of Tyler (Kuder) is really a huge question mark. A lot of it will have to develop in spring and then we’ll have to redevelop it during two-a-days, and I think Spencer will come in with an opportunity to start.”
Ty Flanagan, 5-10, 190, Las Vegas, Nev., Mojave HS, RB, Fr.
High school: Rushed for 1,266 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior ... also had 62 tackles, two interceptions and one touchdown ... all-state honors and was the league MVP ... had 3,673 yards and 46 touchdowns in high school.
Kramer: “As physically developed as any running back we’ve had out of high school. ... He can do it all.”
Jayson Miller, 6-1, 180, San Dimas, Calif., Baldwin Park HS, DB, Fr.
High school: In 2014 had 65 receptions and 1,068 yards ... had an average of 16.4 yards a catch and 13 touchdowns
Kramer: “Has tremendous athletic talent, not only on the field as an offensive and defensive player but he’s starting on their basketball team as a small forward and scoring about 15.5, 16 points a game.”
Rasheed Williams, 6-1, 260, Buena Park, Calif., Mater Dei HS, DL, Fr.
High school: Had 44 tackles, seven sacks and 21 quarterback hurries as a senior … named first-team All Trinity League as a junior and senior … named to the All-Orange County first-team in 2014 and was the Mater Dei High School Defensive Player of the Year.
Kramer: “To have him understand what the academic opportunity is here I thought was pretty imperative to him and unique to us.”
High school: Three-year varsity starter and letter winner … all-conference honorable mention on the offensive and defensive line … all-state honorable mention on the offensive and defensive line.
Kramer: Has just tremendous speed, outstanding feet, a way of collecting himself and movement that I really, really like. He’s got great hands but his footwork is just really, really good.”
Nikko Taylor, 6-1, 275, Riverside Junior College, DL, Jr.
Junior college (2014): Appeared in five games in 2014 at Riverside Junior College ... made 12 tackles in the five games.
Kramer: “Nikko Taylor is a junior college kid that we think can come in and certainly will start.”
Garrett Smith, 6-6, 335, Shelley, Idaho, Shelley HS, OL Fr.
High school: Will return from an LDS mission this summer … 2012 all-area and all-conference offensive lineman … 2012 3A second-team all-state offensive lineman
Kramer: “Has size 19 shoes. ... He was part of a really good Shelley High School crew.”
Taj Jones, 5-10, 150, Corona, Calif., Roosevelt, HS, DB, Fr.
High school: Had 67 solo tackles and 84 total tackles as a senior … finished with two interceptions, one fumble recovery and 15 pass deflections.
High school: Four-year letter winner in football … as a senior in 2014 named to the 3A all-state first-team as a defensive and offensive lineman … named the conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team all-conference as a senior … named to the American Family Insurance All-USA Idaho Football Team Defensive Line … participated in the Idaho El Kora Shriner All-Star game … received the 2014 Emmett High School Player of the Year award … in 2014 ranked No. 9 by Scout.com in the Preseason Top 10 high school players for the Big Sky region … as a junior named to the 4A SIC all-conference second-team … 2013 Emmett High School Defensive Player of the Year … 2013 4A SIC Academic Award … as a sophomore earned honorable mention as an offensive lineman … 2012 (NUC) Combine Leadership Award Winner … 2012 (NUC) Combine Offensive and defensive line MVP … 2012 SIC Academic Award.
High school: 2013 GOL Defensive Player of the Year … four-time all-conference … second-team all-state in 2014 … four-year varsity starter … four-year letter winner in football, one-year in basketball, one year in wrestling and a two-time letter winner in rodeo … two-time state qualifier for rodeo … parents are JD and Lisa … was coached by David Young.
High school: Named to the Tacoma News Tribune All-Area team … SPSL Offensive MVP … King 5 All-Western Washington … Tacoma Athletic Club Fall Athlete of the Year … 2,700 yards passing and 28 touchdown passes … parents are John and Jodi … was coached by Ross Filkins.
Kody Graves, 6-1, 209, Nampa, Skyview HS, LB, Fr.
High school: 4A SIC Co-Defensive Player of the Year … first-team all-state and named the team defensive MVP … three-year starter … two-time SIC academic honors … two-time all-conference in baseball and three-year starter … four-year letter winner … coached by David Young … parents are Scott and Melissa Graves … brothers Tyler and Hagen are currently on the team.
High school: First-team All-Region 7 and honorable mention all-state in 2014 ... all-region 7 second-team and honorable mention all-state in 2013 ... had 64 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 20 TFL and seven quarterback hurries while being double and triple-teamed ... on the offensive line he led the team in pancake blocks for an offense that averaged 30.2 points a game ... holds most Murray High School weight lifting scores ... parents are Sone and Lauri ... was coached my Mike Richmond.
Luke Holloway, 6-3, 204, El Cajon, Calif., Helix HS, LB, Fr.
High school: Two way starter at tight end and defensive end and outside linebacker ... 18.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, two blocked passes, three catches for 30 yards and was named to the San Diego Preps second-team All CIF defensive end ... was a member of the 2014 San Diego CIF runner up team ... 2012 and 2013 team won the Grossmont Hills League championship ... in 2011 won the California State Division II championship ... received the Helix Charter "Scottie Dawg" which is to honor the football player that exemplifies what a student-athlete should model ... three-year letter winner in football, basketball and track and field ... served two mission trips while in high school to the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica ... parents are Blair and Helena ... was coached by Troy Starr.
High school: Associated Press first-team all-state and named to the first-team All-Western Washington team by King 5 News … first-team all-area by the Seattle Times … White Chip recruit by the Seattle Times … named the Defensive Lineman of the Year by the SPSL Coaches … first-team all-league linebacker and second-team all-league by the SPSL coaches … as a junior set the school record for tackle with 148 and broke his record as a senior with 165 … was coached by Marty Osborn … parents are Jim and Lisa Beckman.
Mason Jackson, 6-1, 214, Pasco, Wash., Richland HS., LB, Fr.
High school: Three-time letter winner in football and track and field … two-time second-team all-conference as a defensive end … all-state underclassmen honorable mention as a junior … two-time WIAA academic state champion … Oregon Relay Top 5 in the 100m dash in 2012 … parents are Leon and Noel … was coached by Mike Niehold.
Jake Pettit, 6-3, 230, Santa Barbara, Calif., Santa Barbara Community College, LB, Jr.
Junior college: (2014) Had 111 tackles, three sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three pass break ups ... named the Santa Barbara Junior College Defensive MVP.
High school: Second-team all-conference at running back … three-year starter … led his team to four consecutive state championships … parents are Joe Pettit and Tessa Debould … was coached by Craig Moropoulus.
High school: Two-time first-team all-league as a defensive back … second-team all-league as a wide receiver … honorable mention all-state athlete … parents are Chris Reynolds Sr. and Ally Skinner-Reynolds … was coached by Patrick Johnson.
Spencer Hoff, 6-3, 268, San Bernardino, Calif., San Bernardino JC, DL, Jr.
Junior college: (2014) Had 51 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks for a loss of 45 yards.
High school: First-team all-conference as a defensive tackle … named the Lineman of the Year … parents are Dave and Tammy Hoff … was coached by John Shipp.
Ty Flanagan, 5-10, 190, Las Vegas, Nev., Mojave HS, RB, Fr.
High school: Rushed for 1,266 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior ... also had 62 tackles, two interceptions and one touchdown ... all-state honors and was the league MVP ... had 3,673 yards and 46 touchdowns in high school.
Jayson Miller, 6-1, 180, San Dimas, Calif., Baldwin Park HS, DB, Fr.
High school: In 2014 had 65 receptions and 1,068 yards ... had an average of 16.4 yards a catch and 13 touchdowns ... four-time Max Preps Player of the Week ... 86 total tackles with five interceptions, two sacks, 17 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Rasheed Williams, 6-1, 260, Buena Park, Calif., Mater Dei HS, DL, Fr.
High school: Had 44 tackles, seven sacks and 21 quarterback hurries as a senior … named first-team All Trinity League as a junior and senior … named to the All-Orange County first-team in 2014 and was the Mater Dei High School Defensive Player of the Year.
High school: Three-year varsity starter and letter winner … all-conference honorable mention on the offensive and defensive line … all-state honorable mention on the offensive and defensive line … three-year letter winner in track and field … placed eighth at districts.
Nikko Taylor, 6-1, 275, Riverside Junior College, DL, Jr.
Garrett Smith, 6-6, 335, Shelley, Idaho, Shelley HS. OL Fr.
Shelley HS: Will return from an LDS mission this summer … 2012 all-area and all-conference offensive lineman … 2012 3A second-team all-state offensive lineman … eagle scout … two-year letter winner in basketball
Idaho State has announced that Tate Razor, Spencer Harshman, Trae Pilster and Jakori Ford will receive scholarships in the fall of 2015. And Pilster, a former quarterback and Blackfoot and Snow College, will move to wide receiver.
FB: Here r ur newest Bengal FBALL players: Daniel Heck, 6-2, 270, Emmett, Idaho, Emmett HS., DL, Fr.; #GoISU
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) February 4, 2015
FB: Another future Bengal has signed. Robert Kvinsland, 6-3, 192, Gig Harbor, Wash., Peninsula HS., QB, Fr. #GoISU
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) February 4, 2015
FB: Treven Aloi, 6-1, 323, Murray, Utah, Murray HS., DL, Fr. is the latest Bengal sign. #GoISU
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) February 4, 2015
FB: Welcome Luke Holloway, 6-3, 204, El Cajon, Calif., Helix HS., LB, Fr.. as the newest member of the Bengal football family. #GoISU
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) February 4, 2015
FB : Braiden Beckman, 6-0, 210, Kent, Wash., Kentridge HS., LB, Fr. is newest Bengal football player. #GoISU
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) February 4, 2015
FB: The newest member of the Bengal football program: Mason Jackson, 6-1, 214, Pasco, Wash., Richland HS., LB, Fr. #GoISU
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) February 4, 2015
FB: Jake Pettit, 6-3, 230, Santa Barbara, Calif., Santa Barbara Community College, LB, Jr. is the latest member of the Bengal football team.
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) February 4, 2015
FB: The newest Bengal football player: Chris "Scooby" Reynolds Jr., 6-3, 193, Lakewood, Wash., Foss HS., WR, Fr. #GoISU
— ISU Athletics (@ISUBengals) February 4, 2015
Idaho State offered Eagle High School defensive back Josh Labrador a football scholarship last spring.
But the 6-foot-1, 215-pound safety was skeptical.
“I just didn't really know too much about (Idaho State), to be honest,” Labrador said. “I'd heard of ISU, of course, but I'd never been to Pocatello.”
The more he learned about the Bengals and talked with the coaching staff, though, the more Labrador liked what he saw.
He committed to Idaho State in December.
“All my life, I haven’t heard much good about ISU until the current staff that is there now,” Labrador said. “Coach (Mike) Kramer, he’s been rebuilding the program.”
Labrador was at Holt Arena when the Bengals beat nationally-ranked Cal Poly in front of a season-high crowd of 9,323. As the Dome was rocking and the Bengals were on their way to a winning season for the first time in a decade, Labrador’s apprehension of ISU’s previous reputation was fading away.
“I want to go somewhere where we're going to be winning football games,” Labrador said.
Winning is the only thing Labrador has ever known. Since his high school coaches moved him from running back to corner as a sophomore, the Mustangs have won 24 games the past three seasons and reached the 5A state playoffs every year.
Labrador moved to free safety his senior season and was a member of the All-Idaho First Team. He was a key component of the Eagles offense as a two-way player, rushing for 602 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Bengals, Labrador says, expect him to play on defense as either a safety or outside linebacker.
Labrador is one of 17 known players who has verbally committed to Idaho State. The Bengals are holding a 2 p.m. press conference Wednesday to announce the entire 2015 recruiting class.
The committee (of one) is still processing how Seattle didn’t score
from the 1-yard line on Sunday. With the title just out of their grasp,
the Seahawks best offensive player didn’t touch the fully-inflated
football.
It’s like Michael Jordan not having a chance to torch
Utah in the ’98 NBA Finals or Idaho State taking the ball out of Justin
Arias’ hands when it counted the most.
Live and die with what got you there.
Kind
of like Sacramento State in its dramatic win over Montana on Saturday.
The Hornets leaned on guard Dylan Garrity in the closing seconds for the
biggest shot of the game, ignoring the fact that the senior was 1 for 6
from the field before he hit the game-winning shot.
Shaking our heads, Seahawks.
Without further ado.
1. Eastern Washington Record: 16-5, 7-1 Last week: Unranked AdjO - AdjD = 3.1
The Eagles upped their scoring average in the Big Sky to 87.8 points a game after outlasting Idaho 98-95 in overtime.
Eastern
guard Tyler Harvey, who is scoring 24.5 points a game in conference
play, suffered a quad contusion in the win. But the Spokesman Review is
reporting EWU expects Harvey to play Thursday at Montana.
NOTE: A
week ago, Eastern Washington couldn’t be ranked because Harvey, the
Eagles star guard, had blocked the entire committee (of one) on Twitter.
After a swift internal investigation that wasn’t transparent or
decisive, the Eagles and Harvey are once again permitted to be dissected
and ranked. The committee (of one) is happily and luckily no longer
blocked.
2. Sacramento State Record: 16-5, 7-1 Last week: No. 2 AdjO - AdjD = -2.6
Sac State swept a pair of home games, beating Montana State (75-59) and Montana (70-69).
The
Big Sky won’t let the Hornets host the men’s tournament in their 1,102
seat arena called the Hornets Nest, and the folks in Sac are in
desperation mode trying to find a suitable location.
3. Montana Record: 11-9, 7-2 Last week: No. 3 AdjO - AdjD = .2
Montana rolled Portland State 73-54 before losing at Sacramento State 70-69.
The
Grizzlies have to feel bummed they blew an eight-point lead with three
minutes left in Sacramento. Even after the loss, though, Montana is in
position to win the regular season championship.
4. Northern Arizona Record: 10-11, 5-3 Last week: No. 4 AdjO - AdjD = -3.5
The Lumberjacks whipped Southern Utah 81-60 in Cedar City, Utah.
Montana,
Sac State and Eastern Washington have separated from the pack. Northern
Arizona, with the league’s second-best scoring defense, might be the
one team that can keep pace.
5. Northern Colorado Record: 11-9, 6-3 Last week: No. 5 AdjO - AdjD = -5.4
Northern Colorado swept Idaho State (79-76) and Weber State (71-57) in Greeley, Colorado.
The Bears can score. For evidence, see UNC’s 12-for-17 3-point shooting effort against Idaho State.
6. Idaho Record: 8-11, 3-5 Last week: No. 6 AdjO - AdjD = -5.7
Idaho
guard Mike Scott scored 23 points on 15 shots while handing out eight
assists and no turnovers against Eastern Washington, but the Vandals
still lost in overtime 98-95.
In the Vandals final 10 games of the
season, seven are away from Moscow where Idaho is 1-7 this season.
Despite how good the Vandals have looked in some of their wins (Idaho
State, Weber State) and losses (Eastern Washington, twice) they’ll have
to play exceptional down the closing stretch just to make the postseason
tournament.
7. Weber State Record: 9-12, 4-6 Last week: No. 8 AdjD - AdjO = -7.6
Weber
State did the thing Idaho State couldn’t, splitting a pair of road
games with a win at North Dakota 67-60 and a 71-57 loss at Northern
Colorado.
For all their athleticism, size and length, the Wildcats
just haven’t proven they’re good enough on defense to consistently win
every night in the Big Sky. But the committee (of one) is buying stock
in the ’Cats, who play five of their last eight at home.
8. Portland State Record: 11-9, 5-5 Last week: No. 7 AdjO - AdjD = -9.1
Portland State was buried by Montana in a 73-54 defeat, but the Vikings bounced back to knock off Montana State 80-62.
Montana’s
league-leading defense smothered PSU, holding the Vikings to 30 percent
shooting in the second half. Portland State’s next three games (at
Sacramento State, Idaho and Eastern Washington) will go a long way
toward determining the Vikings’ postseason fate.
9. North Dakota Record: 7-13, 3-6 Last week: No. 9 AdjO - AdjD = -11.4
The
mascot-less lost to Weber State 67-60 and then took down Idaho State
80-69 in frigid Grand Forks, snapping a four-game losing streak at home.
Northern
Colorado buried the Bengals with long-distance threes. North Dakota
relied on sophomore guard Quinton Hook’s near triple-double (15 points,
10 assists and nine rebounds).
10. Southern Utah Record: 5-15, 2-6 Last week: No. 10 AdjO - AdjD = -14.7
SUU watched Northern Arizona drain eight 3-pointers in the first half on the way to an ugly 81-60 loss at home.
Since beating Idaho State and Weber State in back-to-back games, the Thunderbirds have dropped three straight.
11. Idaho State Record: 5-17, 2-8 Last week: No. 11 AdjO - AdjD = -12
ISU lost at Northern Colorado 79-76 and North Dakota 80-69.
The
Bengals played well against the Bears, nearly forcing overtime when
freshman Geno Luzcando hit a long 2-pointer with his foot on the 3-point
line. Then ISU couldn’t rally from a big deficit at North Dakota. And
that, in a nutshell, is Bengals basketball in 2015.
12. Montana State Record: 4-17, 1-8 Last week: No. 12 AdjO - AdjD = -15
Montana
State lost by 16 (75-69) at Sac State and 18 (80-62) at Portland State.
The ’Cats just don’t have the horses in head coach Brian Fish’s
inaugural season.
