June 30, 2005
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Idaho State enters the 2005 season loaded with returning talent on both sides of the ball, especially defensively, where eight starters return along with several veteran reserves who have seen starting action. The Bengals also once again will be deep on offense, especially at receiver and offensive line, where the Bengals have a great mix of returning stars and JUCO transfers ready to showcase their game on the Division I level.
After tying for the league title in 2002 and missing their chance to tie for it again with a loss in the conference finale in 2003, the Bengals know what must be done to gain their first playoff berth since 1983. A challenging schedule featuring Kentucky of the SEC as well as home games with last years' Big Sky co-champions Montana and Eastern Washington, the stage is set for another exciting season. The following is the position-by-position breakdown of the 2005 Bengals.
OFFENSE (6 starters returning, 12 lettermen returning)
Quarterback (1 letterman returning, 1 letterman lost, 1 squad member, 1 transfer, 1 freshman)
The quarterback position is one to watch in 2005, as ISU loses the services of two-year starter Mark Hetherington, who threw for 5,718 yards and 42 touchdowns over two seasons. Sophomore Matt Hagler is the only letterwinner back, having completed 50 percent of his passes last year in limited action for 377 yards and two touchdowns. I-A transfer Luke Sniewski, rated by the Sports Network as one of the I-AA top five transfer quarterbacks for 2005, brings a lively arm to the mix for what will be his lone season with the Bengals. Brian Zeches, a two-year squad member and himself a transfer from Illinois showed great strides in during the spring and will also battle for starting time. Joining the trio is a lone freshman in the highly touted Luke Butler from Pocatello's Century High School. Butler led Century to a state title, and is very familiar with Holt Arena and will be a fan favorite for years to come.
Running Back (1 letterman returning, 2 lettermen lost, 3 redshirts, 1 JC transfer, 1 freshmen)
The running game struggled at times during 2004, at least until Josh Barnett came off his redshirt season to rush for 480 yards, the second most by a freshman in ISU history. Barnett is the only regular rusher returning, although touchdown-machine Jermaine Horn, who is a starting tackle for the defense, is back. Horn led ISU with three touchdowns last year. With just one returning regular rusher, redshirts from 2004 Ken Cornist, Keith Lohse, and Hayden Plocher will push for playing time, with Cornist's size giving him and edge.
A late addition to the Bengals is Turill Engleman, who brings a combination of size and speed from Golden West Junior College. Engleman, who started his career at the University of Montana, will push hard for a starting spot after leading the Mission Conference in scoring last season while at Golden West Junior College. Pocatello High School's Clint Knickrehm also joins the fold, as he looks to follow in the footsteps of another former Pocatello High running back in Isaac Mitchell.
Wide Receivers (5 lettermen returning, 2 lettermen lost, 1 squad member, 2 redshirts, 3 freshmen)
Idaho State receiving corps will have to recover from the loss of multi-record breaker Sale' Key, but ISU has plenty of horses to so. Senior Shedrack Okoebor returns after setting career highs in receptions and yards last year, and he needs just 560 yards for 2,000 career receiving yards. A 65-catch season would tie Sale' Key's career receptions mark, but junior Akilah Lacey could potentially wipe everyone out of the record books. In just two seasons Lacey, ranked #20 among returning receivers in I-AA by the Sports Network, has 86 catches for 1,310 yards and 13 touchdowns through just two seasons. Junior Dane Simmons had a breakout season with 20 catches and a pair of touchdowns, and freshman Kenyon Blue returns after a 17-catch rookie season.
Junior Hunter Rodriguez, who didn't have a reception last year, is also back, along with squad member Colin Poe. Two redshirts; Bruce Minnett and the explosive Eddie Thompson, look to continue ISU's fine tradition of talented rookie receivers. Two freshmen, Pete Richter, and Jaron Taylor, should be able to redshirt and learn the system behind ISU's deep receiving corps, which has just the one senior.
Tight End (2 lettermen returning, 2 redshirts)
The Bengals return two Pocatello natives in junior Brandon Mennear of Pocatello High School and Jon Winn of Highland High School. The two combined for 19 catches and 194 yards in receiving, and those numbers should go up in 2005.
Along with Mennear and Winn, the Bengals add two redshirts. Bryce Metcalf brings another big frame to the tight end position, and former quarterback Luc Martin has changed positions to tight end, where he showed solid skills during spring practice, as he looks to join a host of other former quarterbacks at ISU who switched positions successfully.
Offensive Line (3 lettermen returning, 4 lettermen lost, 2 redshirts, 4 JC transfers, 1 freshman)
Idaho State returns three letterwinners along the offensive line, and they've added four JC transfers to add immediate depth.
The returnees include starters Clifton Buckway and sophomore Shawn Oram, who started 11 games as a freshman. Sophomore Chris Boblit also returns to add experience.
The four junior college transfers, Francisco Anguino, Sam Downs, William Leibert, and Jonathan Macciola were all available for spring practice, which should allow for a smooth fall camp along the line.
John Morales and Evan Smith bring bulked up frames and size to the line after spending their first seasons last year as redshirts. Lance Cartwright is the top incoming freshman, and his 6-5, 280-pound frame could have him see playing time if necessary.
Special Teams (2 lettermen returning, 1 lettermen lost)
Idaho State returns their two placekickers in Jaret Johnson and Ryan Slack. Johnson, who missed the final five games with a leg injury, was solid in the spring and looks to be fully healed from his injury. Ryan Slack took over for the final five games, and he handled ISU's kickoffs all season.
The Bengals lost the services of punter Kyle McQuown, but ISU has several condidates for the next punter to continue ISU's strong punting tradition, which has seen an NFL draft pick, three NCAA net punting titles, and one NCAA individual punting title, spanning three different punters.
DEFENSE (5 starters returning, 13 lettermen returning)
Defensive Line (5 lettermen returning, 3 lettermen lost, 1 JC transfers, 1 squad member, 3 redshirts, 2 freshman)
Leading off a deep defense is the defensive line, which boasts 12 players, five of those returning letterwinners. Dustin Schroader, ISU's defensive MVP last season is back to anchor one defensive end position, and four defensive tackles return as well in Jermaine Horn, David Tongelei, James Drake, and Sye Sweat. Horn, ISU's Newcomer of the Year, led ISU with 13 tackles for a loss. Ivin Clark, who didn't letter last year, also adds to the inside depth along the line. The Bengals also added a JC transfer in Renell Robinson, and two redshirts from last year, Jeff Charleston and Anthony Smallsshould see action, particularly Charleston who had a monster spring camp after a great fall camp last year.
A pair of incoming freshman; Craig Garrett and Quincy Griffin, both come with bright expectations, but both should get to redshirt as part of ISU's deep corps of linemen.
Linebacker (6 lettermen returning, 2 squad members, 1 redshirt, 1 freshman)
The linebacking corps is a veteran group that returned everyone from a year ago, six letterwinners and two squad members. Pago Togafau, ISU's team MVP, leads the way after a breakout sophomore season of 122 tackles, recording at least nine in nine of ISU's 11 games. Kris Krosch and Anthony Henderson, the other linebacker starters from 2004 also return, with Krosch the only senior. ISU's three starting backers combined for 274 tackles all told in 2004. Reserves Atelea Raass and Zach Raphael, both of whom have started before, are back to provide a push for starting time, along with Brock Drake, who played well last season in his inaugural Bengal campaign.
Will Yoder and John Schwartz are two non-lettermen who are back as well, with Yoder eventually seeing time last season late on special teams. Brandon McMillan had a great spring after redshirting last year and should see time. Freshman Dane Edmundson is the only freshman at a position that returned everyone, and will lose just one player for 2006.
Secondary (7 lettermen returning, 1 lettermen lost, 5 redshirts, 3 freshmen, 1 returning missionary)
Idaho State's secondary loses only one player, albeit a two-time first team All-Big Sky pick in Ernie James, but a plethora of depth is back, including the return of two early-season starters lost to injury.
Starting safeties Marcell Lagrone and Quinton Freeman head up the returnees. Lagrone proved to be the big hitter on defense, and he led ISU's secondary in tackles, and also scored a touchdown on an interception return. Freeman led the team in interceptions with four, and his 11 rank him among the top 10 in ISU career history.
Also returning is Donte' Williams, who started four games at cornerback before switching to safety, and a pair of sophomores in Anthony Melvin and Terrence Calloway, who both showed promise as freshmen.
Returning from season-ending injuries are Chaz Brewer and Michael Harris, both junior, and both with significant starting experience. They join another returning lettermen in Sterling Mennear, who has returned from an LDS Mission.
Also eligible after satisfying the NCAA's transfer regulations is hard-hitting Dustin Murray, who showed off his tackling in the spring after transferring from Oregon State.
All the depth should help cover for David Beverly, who most likely will
sit out the season as a redshirt in 2005 to play a senior season in 2006 and get a full-year of practice at corner under his belt. A host of talented freshmen who redshirted last season, including highly-touted D. J. Clark will be on hand. Other redshirts from 2004 include Jason Wright and Spencer Franz. The depth should allow for freshmen Kenny Helmandollar, Matt Johnson, and Scott Jossis time to grow.
