Fall Camp Day Two: Competition Ramps Up as Installation Continues
POCATELLO, Idaho – Day Two of Idaho State's 2025 fall camp brought more energy, more install, and a healthy dose of competition inside the ICCU Dome for the first time in 2025.
Speaking on the Defense
"It started with passion and energy. They were running to the ball hard, and winning the competition at the end kind of cemented it," said Defensive Coordinator Grant Duff.
"All great defensive players have to have a little bit of a screw loose. So we're figuring out which ones are loose enough.
Practice Notes:
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Format & Focus: Practice opened with full-team tackling form drills as both offense and defense emphasized fundamentals.
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Special Teams Chaos: During punt period, returners fielded kicks while getting sprayed with water guns by Coach Keith Price, adding distraction to simulate game-day pressure.
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Install: Both units continued installing pieces of the 2025 playbook, with emphasis on play calling and situational awareness.
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Situational Emphasis: Teams split into offense and defense to walk through four-minute scenarios, working clock management and end-of-half philosophy.
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Position Work: Receivers and defensive backs competed in 2-on-2 drills with quarterbacks delivering throws under pressure. Meanwhile, Coach Dan Hawkins took the specialists outside to work on field goals and long snapping.
Team Competition:
The practice ended with a red zone competition pitting offense against defense: three downs to gain 20 yards and drive toward the end zone.
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Round 1: Defense held strong with a pass breakup in the end zone.
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Round 2: Noa Calaycay sealed the stop with another deflection.
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Final Round (Sudden Death): With offensive and defensive linemen lining up as receivers, OT Will Davis broke up a pass in the end zone to keep the offense alive. Moments later, Bronson Childs delivered the final blow for the defense, hauling in a toe-tap touchdown to send the defense into celebration.
Defensive Coordinator Insight: Grant Duff's Blueprint
A native of eastern Idaho and former Weber State assistant, new Defensive Coordinator Grant Duff is relishing the opportunity to coach at home, and bring his aggressive, high-effort philosophy to Pocatello.
"It's not human nature to want to run into somebody full speed. You've got to train that into you," Duff said. "We want to be aggressive, multiple, and physical, and most of all, fast."
Duff emphasized servant leadership, building trust with players, and tailoring schemes to the roster's strengths.
"It's always about the players," he said. "When they feel empowered, they play confident and fast. And that's when good things happen."
He highlighted returning standouts Mason Young and Nathan Reynolds, while naming Maka Tu'akoi as a rising name to watch after an impressive offseason.
Up Next: Idaho State returns to the field tomorrow as fall camp rolls toward the Aug. 23 season opener at UNLV. The Bengals will put on shoulder pads for the first time and officially begin contact. Practice begins at 10:00 AM.
Idaho State Football Practice
(times tentative, media availability following practices)
7/25 - 10:00 AM
7/26 - 11:00 AM
7/27 - OFF
7/28 - 11:00 AM
7/29 - 10:00 AM
7/30 - 4:00 PM - Scrimmage
7/30 - OFF
