Bengals Get First Live Look Under the Lights, Hawkins Sees Progress Across the Depth Chart

POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State held its first live scrimmage of fall camp Monday night, practicing from 9-11 p.m. in the ICCU Dome, a deliberate taste of late-night football ahead of the Bengals' Nov. 17 road trip to Missoula, where they'll kick off against Montana at 8:30 p.m.

Head coach Cody Hawkins said the two-week mark of camp has brought the team past its early rust and into the fine-tuning stage of preparation.

"It's starting to come together," Hawkins said. "It doesn't feel like we're knocking off the rust anymore. It feels like we're kind of sharpening the sword to get ready to start the season. I think the guys feel like they're playing football. I think they feel comfortable and ready to play some football."

Hawkins pointed to strong performances from several younger and developing players during the scrimmage, particularly in the secondary, where safeties coach Bobby Jay has rebuilt depth after losing experience at the position.

"Bobby Jay's done such a good job developing some depth," Hawkins said. "Parker Graham continues to emerge, he's running with the quote-unquote threes, but he probably knows enough to run with the starters. He's done a good job there."

Hawkins also praised Jackson Patterson's physicality in the secondary and highlighted Elijah Beamon, who has taken on added responsibility at slot receiver and other spots amid injuries at the position.

"It's nice to see Jackson Patterson get in there and hit some people and tackle, that's what he does well," Hawkins said.

At quarterback, Hawkins said Isaiah Si'esu'e and Kepa Niumeitolu each had strong showings, while Wyatt Horton flashed his athleticism with an explosive touchdown run.

"Wyatt Horton, he can use his legs, that's a weapon he has," Hawkins said. "He had like an 80-yard touchdown run earlier, which was pretty awesome."

With the season opener against Virginia Military Institute three weeks away, Hawkins said the Bengals will spend the remainder of the week self-scouting before shifting into game-week preparation.

"We're gonna do our post-game routine, and then we'll self-scout ourselves, and spend three days really figuring out what the Bengals need to work on in all three phases," Hawkins said. "After Saturday, we'll spend two full weeks getting ready for VMI."

As the depth chart continues to take shape, Hawkins said consistency, not flashes of talent, will ultimately determine who earns snaps, particularly with a roster that includes many players without extensive game experience.

"Flashes in the pan are what get you here, but consistency is what gets you on the field," Hawkins said. "Not just consistency in their play, but who's been the most consistent emotionally, who's been the most consistent in their approach and their process. We'll find a role for everybody if they can do something well, but to be on the field a lot, you gotta be consistent."
 

UPDATED FALL CAMP SCHEDULE

The Schedule for fall camp is as follows, note changes may happen as team camp progresses towards August 29.


Week 3
·   
·       Thu 8/13 — 11AM Practice #13 (Helmets)
·       Fri 8/14 — 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Practice #14 (Shells)
·       Sat 8/15 — 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Practice #15 (Full Pads)

Week 4
·       Tue 8/18 — 8:30–10:30AM Practice #16
·       Wed 8/19 — 8:30–10:30AM Practice #17
·       Sat 8/22 — 4:00PM Scrimmage

Stats Perform Preseason
The Bengals were represented on the Stats Perform preseason All-American list heading into the 2026 season.
Offensive lineman Stryker Rashid earned preseason first-team honors. Running Back Dason Brooks and Wide Receiver Chedon James were named Third-Team preseason All-Americans.
The full list of preseason all-americans can be found here.

Stats Perform FCS Top-25 Preseason Poll

The first preseason poll of the 2026 football season was released Monday, August 3. Idaho State is highest 'receiving votes' with 100 points, putting them at #26 just outside the top-25 table. Reigning national champion Montana State was the consensus preseason #1. 

Six Big Sky Programs were represented in the first round of voting; Montana State #1, Montana #2, UC Davis #6, Northern Arizona #25, Idaho State RV and Southern Utah RV.

The full release can be found here.

Walter Payton Award Watchlist
Going into the 2026 season, Idaho State running back Dason Brooks has been named to the Walter Payton Award watchlist. The last Bengal to get a nod on the list was Chedon James in 2023 who was named a finalist at the end of the season.
The full watchlist can be found here

Season tickets on Sale Now
Idaho State season tickets are on sale now, don't miss any of the seven exciting home games in the ICCU Dome this year as the Bengals keep making the push forward.
Get your tickets today HERE

2026 Football Schedule
2026 is set to be an exciting year for the Idaho State Bengals. Seven home games in the dome and the rest just off of I-15. Get ready to cheer on the Bengals all fall.

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