Unexpected Talents...Traveling with ISU Football

Idaho State football finished practice on Thursday, grabbed a hearty meal and headed out to begin its journey to Greeley, Colo. where the Bengals will play Northern Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 18 in ISU's first Big Sky contest of the season. The Bengals stopped in Rawlins, Wyoming for the night after a five or so hour long bus ride.

In the morning the team ate breakfast together. Defensive lineman Rustin Phillips finished his meal early and found a piano in the dining hall where he proceeded to play a collection of Top 40's hits for the team while they finished eating. Idaho State sports information was able to grab a quick video of Rustin playing Usher's "Love in This Club". A talented musician, Rustin can play the piano, the drums, the ukelele and the harmonica. He is also learning to play the guitar. Rustin taught himself how to play the songs he knows from listening to the radio.



After breakfast the football team took a four hour drive to Greeley, Colo. Once here they ate sub sandwiches for lunch then hit the books hard studying for their classes.

Football Cleans Up at Extreme Home Makeover

The Idaho State football coaching staff and select players spent three hours Wednesday morning helping with clean up for the Extreme Makeover T.V. show that built a house for a family in need in downtown Pocatello.

Roughly twenty coaches and players tore down barricades and helped with heavy lifting during the clean-up process. Idaho State football players who did not have class or who could donate an hour or two of service between classes volunteered their time.

(Since the picture was so tiny in the story online, I've included it in the Bengal Blog!)

(Left to right: Andrew Benavides, Mike Rigell, Coach Steve Amrine, Coach Phil Earley, Head Coach John Zamberlin, Thomas Steiner, Coach Jon Clark, Chris Holmesley, Coach Nick Whitworth, Coach Drew Miller, Michael Colleran, Coach Kenyon Blue, Head Strength and Condition Coach Mark Campbell, Coach Junior Falevai)

-Katie Zigars, Asst. SID

Defense... DARK SIDE!

Idaho State's football team was asked to maintain its energy and focus during its second practice of its final day of two-a-days on Friday. The Bengal defense added fun as well when they began to chant "Defense... DARK SIDE!" at the start of every play during a period of practice. In case you missed it, here is a glimpse of the practice. Watch Keith McGowen disrupt Kyle Morris' intended pass for Tavoy Moore as the defense brings the noise!



...and just to be fair to the offense, they did break through and make some excellent plays as well. Watch Kelvin Krosch spring into the air to catch a pass from Morris as the offense upsets the Bengal D!



The Bengals worked hard, pushed their limits and made practice fun and enjoyable. If you want to see Idaho State in the flesh come out to the South Practice Field on Saturday, August 21 at 10 a.m. and watch the Bengals at their second scrimmage of the season.

--Katie Zigars, Asst. SID