Bengal Offensive Line Embraces Physical Test on Practice #8 of Fall Camp

POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State's offensive line took the field in full pads for the first time this fall camp on Tuesday, and both players and coaches came away pleased with how the group responded to the increased physicality.

"There's a level of physicality that you have to play with, and those things are accomplished through being fundamentally sound," said offensive line coach John Hughes. "That's kind of our focus, making sure those things are showing up. I think we responded, and I think so did the defense and special teams. Overall it was a good step forward for the Bengals today."

Returning tackle Messiah Johnson and newcomer center Ryan Karby echoed that sentiment, both pointing to the energy the group brought throughout the day.

"I felt like we came out with a lot of intensity, a lot of energy, especially for day nine of fall camp," Karby said. "We came out there and gave everything we got."

With significant turnover on the offensive line this season, both Johnson and Karby said the group's unity has been a point of emphasis early in camp.

"Our coach has been diving in a lot on unity, and I think it's been good," Johnson said. "People have been showing up, asking, getting extra work. I think it's good, because we're going to have to be the tightest group, especially with the experience we're building on the O-line."

Hughes said newcomers, who arrived in waves from January signees through the summer, have assimilated quickly, crediting the strength program and offseason culture-building for easing the transition.

"All of them are doing great, and really I think they are assimilating at a very, very quick pace," Hughes said. "The expectation for guys that are on the team is to bring those newcomers along as quickly as we can and make them feel like they've been here for a couple years."

Karby, who joined the program in January, said he has embraced a leadership role early in his first season as a Bengal.

"I feel like we're doing a great job stepping up into the role that we need to step into, and I'm trying to bring the guys with me as I progress," Karby said.

Hughes, who oversees one of the largest position groups on the team, credited assistant coach Anthony Morales, known around the program as "Coach Mo," for helping manage the group day to day. Morales, entering his second season at Idaho State, played offensive line and served as a running backs coach at Southern Oregon before joining the Bengals.

Splitting the room into smaller groups of 12 to 13 players allows for more focused coaching, Hughes said, while also emphasizing player-led teaching in meetings as a way to build ownership.

"How little can I do? How much more ownership can I give the players?" Hughes said. "That's really where they're going to learn how to fly and lead themselves."

Both the offensive and defensive lines have pushed each other throughout camp, with players and coaches alike pointing to daily reps against defensive line coach Ricky Ali'ifua's group as a driving force in the O-line's development.

"I'm a big believer in the term iron sharpens iron," Karby said. "To be able to go against a great D-line group like Coach Ricky has, it's just a blessing every day to go out there and compete."

Hughes was similarly effusive in his praise of Ali'ifua's impact.

"It's night and day. I can't say enough good things about Coach Rick," Hughes said. "He coaches them to a really high standard. He's very knowledgeable, he brings energy, he's well-spoken. Anytime we're going to find success as an offensive line, one of the first things you're going to look at is who we get to work against every day."

Looking ahead to the season, Karby said he wants the offensive line to set the tone for the team.

"We need to be the most tenacious group in the conference," Karby said. "We've got to be known for our toughness and our ability to finish."

Johnson pointed to a concept the group has embraced since spring, developed alongside guard Stryker Rasheed, built around the idea that success up front sets the tone for the entire team.

"Games are won and lost off the D-line, the O-line, the trenches," Johnson said. "I want to be known as, it starts with us."

Hughes said he has challenged his players to define their own standard, with work ethic and attention to detail as the room's non-negotiables.

"I hope that, Sunday morning after we play VMI, that Utah State's defensive coordinator has something in mind about us," Hughes said, looking ahead to the Bengals' season opener against Virginia Military Institute before a road trip to Utah State. "What that's going to look like, I'm not sure yet, but I do want us to be known for something."

UPDATED FALL CAMP SCHEDULE

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

Week 2
·       Sat 8/8 — 11AM Practice #9 (Helmets)
Week 3
·       Sun 8/9 — 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Practice #10 (Shells)
·       Mon 8/10 — 9:00 - 11:00 PM Practice #11 (Full Pads)
·       Tue 8/11 — 11AM Practice #12 (Helmets)
·       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.