This week's two-deep

Really, read Brad's post first, but he asked about the offensive line....well, sounds like he's not the only one asking, because ISU is switching three spots around. Lance Cartwright is out for this week, and Braeden Clayson is moving to his guard spot, and Travis Nua will start for Brad Shedd. Also, Demetrius Grant will start at left tackle.

Also a part of the running game, Clint Knickrehm is out with an injury, and possibly Ben Laporta as well. The two deep right now shows the running backs as Laporta OR Jordan Scott OR Skylar Morgan. This reminds me of 2004 when ISU struggled running the ball a bit, and Josh Barnett was pulled off his redshirt after four games and led the team in rushing. Might Morgan get pulled as well? It's gonna depend on the health of the other guys.

Also, the punt return slot has three listed....Stew Tracy, JD Ponciano, or Andrew Benavides. Practice should be interesting this week, but folks sort of need to remember who we've played. Also, um....Central is no slouch...they are ranked #5 in Division II.

Pos.    #    Player    Ht    Wt.    Cl.

QB    8    Kyle Blum    6-2    197    Jr

    17    Russel Hill    5-11    192    Jr

    10     Evan Mozzochi    6-4    230    So

WR    1    Jaron Taylor    5-11    178    Sr

    84    Roderick Rumble    6-2    193    Fr

WR    18    Kelvin Krosch    6-5    221    So

-or-    6    Isaiah Burel    6-2    183    Jr

WR    9    JD Ponciano    5-9    183    Sr

    82    Andrew Benavides    5-7    167    Fr

TE    88    Josh Hill    6-5    227    Fr

    83    Bryant Ward    6-2    228    Fr

RB    31    Ben Laporta    5-7    195    Fr

-or-    4    Jordan Scott    5-10    199    Jr

-or-    37    Skylar Morgan    5-8    185    Fr

FB    83    Bryant Ward    6-2    228    Fr

    54    Jarrid Nash    5-11    242    Jr

LT    70    Travis Nua    6-2    300    Jr

    56    Mark Clampitt    6-2    261    Fr

LG    76    Braeden Clayson    6-6    301    So

    64    Brad Curtis    6-5    272    Fr

 C    75    Ryan Henry    6-2    283    Sr

    67    Nick Tranmer    6-0    267    Jr

RG    66    Mitch Rudder    6-3    300    Jr

    76    Braeden Clayson    6-6    301    So

RT    77    Demetrius Grant    6-4    285    Jr

    79    Brad Shedd    6-7    274    So

Defense

Pos.    #    Player    Ht    Wt.    Cl.

DE     48    Jeff Tuua    6-2    250    Jr

    97    Rustin Phillips    6-2    237    Jr

NT    98    Demetrius Amos    6-1    317    Sr

    93    David Tyler    6-2    275    So

DT    95    Chad O’Donnell    6-2    260    Jr

    99    Jason Jones    6-0    290    Sr

DE    50    Sean Rutten    6-2    238    Jr

    45    Jake Rouser    6-4    233    Fr

SLB    20    Daniel Urias    6-1    224    Sr

    54    Jarrid Nash    5-11    242    Jr

MLB     52    Phillip Arias    6-1    213    Jr

    36    Nic Edgson    6-0    224    Sr

WLB    30    A.J. Storms    6-0    215    So

    35    J.T. Albers    5-11    225    So

CB    2    Keith McGowan    5-9    185    Jr

    23     George Ortiz    5-10    178    Sr

FS    21    Chris Holmesly    5-9    193    Jr

    24    Phillip Pleasant    5-11    193    Fr

SS    27    Dustin Tew    6-1    196    Jr

    25    Amir Owens    5-9    204    Sr

CB    7    Michael Wright    5-10    179    Sr

    34    Cameron Gupton    5-8    175    Fr

Special Teams

Pos.    #    Player    Ht    Wt.    Cl.

PK    16    Jarrett Huk    6-1    177    Sr

    39    Brendon Garcia    5-9    144    Fr

KO    16    Jarrett Huk    6-1    177    Sr

    39    Brendon Garcia    5-9    144    Fr

    43    Jon Vanderwielen     6-3    220    Sr

P    43    Jon Vanderwielen     6-3    220    Sr

    16    Jarrett Huk    6-1    177    Sr

H    8    Kyle Blum    6-2    197    Jr

    17    Russel Hill    5-11    192    Jr

KR    9    JD Ponciano    5-9    183    Sr

    2    Keith McGowan    5-9    185    Jr

    82    Andrew Benavides    5-7    167    Fr

PR    46    Stew Tracy    5-10    185    So

-or-    9    JD Ponciano    5-9    183    Sr

-or-    82    Andrew Benavides    5-7    167    Fr

SN-FG    79    Brad Shedd    6-7    275    Fr

    71    Lance Cartwright    6-6    295    Sr

SN-P    85    Clint Brock    6-3    245    Fr

    20    Daniel Urias    6-1    224    Sr

    74    Erik Jacobson    6-5    247    Fr





Frank

A Conversation with Mike Havens

Mike Havens (left) is in his first year as Idaho State's offensive line coach after serving two years tutoring tight ends. A former offensive lineman himself for the Bengals, Havens inherits four starters on one of the most experienced units on the team. But he's had to deal with injury issues to his two starting guards, Lance Cartwright and Mitch Rudder, during this pre-season camp. I talked with Havens after practice Thursday, as the Bengals get down to serious preparation for next week's opener with Arizona State. But before we get to the interview, a personal note or two: Havens is married to former Bengal volleyball player Nikki Havens and they have a llittle boy named Wrecker, who I met at practice Thursday night and, just for the record, Wrecker has a great smile. He's already developing that o-lineman's personality.

1. Mike this is your first year as the offensive line coach, what adjustments have you had to make in your coaching approach?

Havens: The biggest adjustment is going from having one to two guys on the field at a tme to having five guys on the field. Having to watch five guys at once can be tricky and it takes a little bit to get used to, but it's something I've had to adjust to.

2. What is your assessment of your offensive line right now?

Havens: We have a real solid group, about four returners coming back, Mitch Rudder, Lance Cartwright, Brad Shedd and Ryan Henry, and we're going to find that one guy to play left tackle, maybe Braeden Clayson or Travis Nua. So like I said, we've got a real solid group there. They're hard working, they want to be a prideful group, so I think we're going to be okay.

3. Tell us about your newcomers -- who do you think will see playing time this year?

Havens: Definitely our two JC transfer kids: Travis Nua, he's been taking time at left tackle and also on the right side, at right tackle. Also Demetrius Grant is another JC transfer that also plays tackle. So you've got a good chance of seeing those guys. Hopefully not, but if we get some injuries, maybe the young kids (true freshmen). Probably my first young kid who I'd have to put in there is Mark Clampitt, who's done an excellent job of playing a little bit of tackle, playing a little bit of center, so he's one of those good, all-around guys.

4. He (Clampitt) has also played a little bit of fullback, hasn't he?

Havens: Yeah, he has played a little bit of fullback, so you could see him wearing an eligible number in the backfield, which would be a treat for him, I'm sure.

5. If you had to pick a two-deep right now, what would it look like?

Havens: Right now, it would be Braeden Clayson at left tackle, Lance Cartwright at left guard, Ryan Henry at center, Mitch Rudder at right guard, Brad Shedd at right tackle. And then for our twos, it would be Travis Nua at left tackle, Braeden Clayson probably at left guard, Nick Tranmer at center, probably Brad Curtis, who is another young kid, at right guard, and then Demetrius Grant at right tackle.

6. You've had some injury problems, particularly at the guard spot, does it look like Cartwright and Rudder are going to be healthy and ready to go when the season starts?

Havens: Yeah, you know they don't have any real major issues, a tweaked knee (Cartwright) and a concussion (Rudder), so they're going to be okay. We're limiting Lance right now just so he can be ready for the game at Arizona State, so I think they'll both be fine.

7. First week, you get Dexter Davis, all Pac-10 defensive end, and the next week you get Gerald McCoy, all-American defensive tackle, you boys are going to have your hands full.

Havens; Oh yeah, we've been talking about Dexter for sure, and trying not to look past him to the kid from Oklahoma, but those guys upfront know they're going to have a fight on their hands and they're all willing to do it and they're excited.

8. Who is your best offensive lineman right now?

Havens: Probably have to say Ryan Henry. You know, he's directing our group, he's one of the most explosive centers we've had here in a long time. He does some things that you know, the guys say, 'It's going to be a little bit tough.' We talk about those things as a staff, and I say, 'Yeah, it'll be tough, but we got Ryan Henry in there, it'll be okay, he'll get it done.' Like I said, he's explosive, he's athletic, he's a smart, heady football player, so he's probably our best right now.

Arizona State Update

Sun Devil Coach Dennis Erickson has released his first two-deeps and there are a number of interesting aspects to it. First of all, the Sun Devils have been hit by a number of injuries on the offensive line, and that has necessitated some shuffling. Second, Erickson who is still trying to decide who will be his feature running back/or backs, lists six different options there. He says he wants to narrow it to one speed back and one power guy. The Devils have suspended starting defensive end James Brooks for the first three weeks of the season, so he won't be playing against the Bengals. And freshman linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who has been something of a sensation with his big hits in practice, is still awaiting NCAA clearinghouse approval.

--Brad B.

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