POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State used its third fall camp scrimmage to drill end-of-half and short field scenarios inside the ICCU Dome, prioritizing teaching moments over long, sustained drives. Afterward, Head Coach Cody Hawkins said the staff will streamline packages and build continuity over the next two weeks, naming Jordan Cooke as the quarterback who will take the first team reps while noting multiple QBs are expected to play in Week 0 at UNLV.

Bengal Bites

• Quarterbacks: Jordan Cooke will take QB1 reps for continuity over the next two weeks, and the staff expects to play multiple QBs in Week 0.

• Two deep: injuries have made it plug and play at spots; the staff expects more clarity by mid next week pending evaluations.

• Defense identity: increased physicality with a "violence is always an answer" mindset, per Defensive Coordinator Grant Duff.

• Short yardage: Duff said the defense won the set and estimated stops on eight of nine plays, crediting the defensive line.

• Takeaways: Duff highlighted interceptions by Devin Rodriguez and Ty Beatle while he simulated game day operations.

• Trenches: Duff cited Jake East and Collin Lewis among the standouts up front and credited Defensive Line coach Ricky Ali'ifua

• New face to watch: Robert Freeman IV, No. 5, an electric transfer and last season's kick returner at Utah State, is being packaged to get touches in space.

• UNLV prep: a compact plan is coming to let players play fast against new looks on both sides of the ball.

From the Coaches, Key Quotes

On the Scrimmage

"You did not get to see quite as much because everything was situational. We had two clutch situations and I would have loved to see us manage the clock a little better, but the reason you do that is to learn. We try to emphasize the situational piece and I would much rather have our guys feel comfortable playing up against the gun a little bit." Cody Hawkins said.

on Preparing for defenses

"Whether we executed great or not, we needed to get stuff on tape against the looks we have to solve, from tight end and two back run game to three down, Cover 4, Cover 3, Cover 2, the different stuff we saw last year that gave us fits." Cody Hawkins said.

On the quarterback 1 decision

"Jordan is going to be the guy. Based on the first two scrimmages his ability to put points on the board stood out. All those guys will play, and if you want to win a championship in this conference you have to have two ready to go." Cody Hawkins said.

On keeping the UNLV plan compact

"You do not know what Coach Mullen has been cooking, so the smaller our game plan is, the more our guys can go out and play. We will keep it compact and play our rules." Cody Hawkins said.

On Robert Freeman IV's role

"Robert is super competitive and high energy. He played a lot of slot and was the kick returner for Utah State last year. When he gets the ball in space you feel like he could score any time, so we have to keep finding ways to package him." Cody Hawkins said.

On situational execution

"We came out and did really well in our situational work, which was everything we did live today. That is where you win ball games." Grant Duff said.

On physicality

"There were moments where there were some big collisions. Luckily we were the hammer, not the nail on that one." Grant Duff said.

On short yardage defense

"I think we had nine plays and I think we stopped eight of nine short yardage plays. You are not doing that without the hogs up front." Grant Duff said.

On defensive identity

"Violence in football is always an answer. If you run through that guy and knock him over, usually good things happen." Grant Duff said.

On faceless opponent and adjustments

"It has to be a faceless opponent. We have to put in a scheme that is sound, with rules that apply to all the nuances an offense can give us, and be ready for halftime adjustments." Grant Duff said.

On aggressive philosophy

"I would rather be too aggressive and deal with the pitfalls of that than not be aggressive enough and wish I would have been." Grant Duff said.

On linebacker rotation

"We are probably going to play six linebackers. I would love to play seven, but at least six, with some version of a rotation." Grant Duff said.

Next Up

The Bengals have an off day on Sunday to rest and recuperate. Beginning Monday, practices shift to the morning in preparation for the start of classes. Idaho State now turns full focus to Week 0 at UNLV, with kickoff less than two weeks away.

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