Quick Notes from the Coaches Show

Here are some tidbits from tonight's coaches' show with Bengal football Coach John Zamberlin:

Defensive back Kenny Viser (left), who transferred to ISU in the spring from Nevada, is academicaly ineligible. Defensive back Kelvin Miller and linebacker Jeremy Gibson are appealing grades and may not be eligible. Bengal fans have noted all three of these players have been seeing only sporadic reps during fall camp -- that's because the coaching staff couldn't count on having them available.

Zamberlin said he expects the following freshmen to have a chance to play this year: slot receiver Andrew Benavides, offensive lineman Mark Clampitt, defensive linemen Minh Williams and Isaiah Walker, defensive back Cameron Gupton, and running back/safety Darrius Coleman. He expects running back Skyler Morgan to redshirt unless he's needed in an emergency.

Safety Amir Owens is trying to come back from off-season knee surgery, and Zamberlin is uncertain if he'll travel to Arizona State for the Bengal opener Saturday night. Running back Jordan Scott has been hobbled by a bruised heel and is also questionable for ASU. Tight end Tyler Hjelseth has been idled by a torn quad muscle and probably won't play for awhile.

The coach told how he "recruited" new long-snapper Clint Brock to the squad. The coaches were approached by Brock's girlfriend, a member of the ISU volleyball squad. Brock happened to be visiting her on campus at the time. The coaches looked at film and watched him snap, liked what they saw, and two days later he became a Bengal. Zamberlin is very high on Brock's snapping abilities, and he'll be the long-snapper on Saturday night. He can also play tight end, but he'll be focusing on firing a football between his legs for now.

The Missing Link

The Arizona Republic points out that former Bengal quarterback Dirk Koetter is the "missing link" to this week's ASU-Idaho State game. The deal for the game was signed when Koetter was still ASU's head coach. Koetter, of course, is now the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

--Brad B.

And thanks for being a Bengal fan -- it ain't always easy, but it's always fun.