POCATELLO, Idaho – Full contact hit the ICCU Dome on Saturday as Idaho State Football held its first scrimmage of fall camp, running over 120 live-tackling plays in the team's most physical session to date.
"We wanted to get a lot of quality physical work in," said Head Coach Cody Hawkins. "At this point in camp, you want to wake up everybody's instincts about taking guys to the ground and playing full speed."
Five different quarterbacks took live reps throughout the afternoon, with both sides of the ball producing standout moments during drives that started from the offense's 25-yard line.
After opening with situational punts from deep inside the 20—where all three punters flipped the field—the defense made the first splash, forcing two straight punts to start the full-contact segment.
The offense found rhythm on the third drive when Davis Harsin zipped a 30-yard touchdown pass to redshirt-sophomore receiver Adam Watts, threading it through tight defensive coverage. Jordan Cooke followed up with a four-yard quarterback keeper for a score.
Defensive back Noa Calaycay halted the next offensive effort with a key third-down pass breakup, and Logan Gonzalez moved the chains twice with his legs before the defense again stiffened on third-and-eight to force another punt.
Freshman quarterback Wyatt Horton led one of the most eye-catching series of the day, marching 75 yards and capping it with a four-yard touchdown keeper—his first full-contact drive of fall camp.
Later in practice, the team split across the field to run simultaneous red zone sessions, continuing live tackling. The day ended with a two-minute drill scenario: offense trailing by two.
Veteran defensive back Troy Wilkey came up big with a leaping interception in the end zone to halt one drive. The offense answered with a touchdown from running back Zack Homan, who broke outside and raced to the pylon.
In the Trenches
Saturday marked the first extended live reps for the offensive and defensive lines, and both groups embraced the intensity.
"First full day of tackling live, I felt like we competed well," said offensive lineman Jake Hellmann. "Still some things to improve, but so far, so good."
Defensive lineman Malik Richardson echoed the sentiment: "The jump that's been made from both sides in the past year is incredible. These are some of the best O-linemen in the Big Sky. It's iron sharpening iron every day."
Richardson also praised the unit's summer work and additions: "We've focused a lot on the run. Guys like Camron Willis, Collin Lewis, and Luke Berry have come in and brought energy. We preach violence and urgency. If you're gonna mess up, mess up going 1,000 miles per hour."
Hellmann said the O-line's emphasis remains on technique and depth: "We're working fundamentals every day, getting extra work in after practice, and trying to get the new guys caught up so we can go 2, 3, 4 deep when needed."
Both linemen lit up when asked about the daily trench battles.
"If I can go at him 100 miles an hour every play and I love him, what am I gonna do to someone I don't know on Saturday?" Richardson said.
Coach's Corner
Hawkins praised his quarterback room for using their legs to create offense: "Any time you're a 10-personnel football team, when your quarterbacks are involved in the run game, it's gonna help you out quite a bit," Hawkins said.
Each quarterback flashed unique traits:
Hawkins also emphasized the new-look defense under Grant Duff and Bobby Jay:
"It's wild. I've got PTSD from playing Duff the last few years. There are a couple blitzes only he brings. And Bobby's done a great job mixing it up on the back end. It makes everybody really have to clue into every detail on tape," Hawkins said.
What's Next
Following the scrimmage, Idaho State transitions into a scheduled off day as part of its alternating 3-day training rhythm. Practice resumes Friday with continued competition at quarterback, trench development, and situational emphasis.
"We've changed how we're structuring camp to keep our guys fresh. We go day off, three practices, day off. So far, the guys are responding well. Now we have to finish strong," Hawkins said.
