Denim Millward
Sports Editor
Though it may not be reflected in its overall record, the 2013 Idaho State football squad made significant strides in shoring up its glaring defensive deficiencies that plagued the team the year prior.
More impressive than the modest two-win improvement from 2012 to 2013 (1-11 in 2012, 3-9 in 2013) is the dramatic decrease in points per game the Bengal defense allowed.
In 2012, the Idaho State defense, which I once referred to as a “collective dumpster fire,” in a previous issue, gave up a whopping 53.8 points per game, and was routinely torched for 70 or more points.
The 2012 unit was most severely gashed on the ground, giving up just shy of 4,000 total rushing yards for the season as well as 48 rushing touchdowns.
Though the Bengals only surrendered 2,289 passing yards for the season, it was more of a product of the lack of necessity for other teams to throw the ball than a dominant secondary.
The Bengals’ 2013 defensive statistics don’t jump off the page as impressive standing alone.
Viewed in the context of the abysmal 2012 campaign, however, the at-face-value pedestrian numbers look tremendously more impressive.
The Bengals reduced the average number of points given up per game by a whopping 20 points per game, surrendering 33.2 on average.
The rushing touchdowns allowed number was nearly cut in half, from 48 down to 26.
The rushing yardage surrendered also saw a steep decline, down from nearly 4,000 to 2,863.
Central to the huge improvements the Bengals made was defensive stalwart Mitch Beckstead, who will return to the rejuvenated defensive unit for his senior season in the fall.
The middle linebacker, and Dayton, Idaho, native’s fingerprints were all over every game he played.
Beckstead lead the team in total tackles by a wide margin, with a whopping 111.
He ranked second on the team in tackles for loss and led the team in interceptions with three.
Also returning in the fall is arguably the Bengals’ best lineman on either side of the ball, redshirt senior Austin Graves.
Graves was a nightmare in the trenches for opponents, leading the team in tackles for loss with 14.5 as well as totaling five sacks, also a team high.
Graves was as big a part of ISU’s rushing defense improvement as any single player on the team, and only looks to improve this season.
The 2014 campaign won’t be without its challenges for the Bengal defense.
The season opens with back-to-back contests against Divison I opponents University of Utah and Utah State, both of which will be in the Beehive State.
In addition to the challenges brought on by the early schedule, the Bengal secondary, a position in nearly as big a transition as the wide receiving corps, will require significantly increased contributions from younger cornerbacks.
These changes come following senior Cameron Gupton playing his final year last year, as well as the departure of redshirt freshman Pat Carter.
Senior Vai Peko and junior Brandon Golden were both transfers to Idaho State last year, and look to vie for the top cornerback spots in spring practice.
The Bengals will also see two new transfers who look to contribute to the ISU defensive backfield immediately.
Juniors Tavante Jackson and Kamino Ward, both of whom come from junior colleges in California, will add depth and experience to the backfield.
The front-loading of the schedule, though brutal at first, could turn out to work in favor of the Bengals.
As opposed to last year, when the Bengals’ two Division I opponents were at opposite ends of the season, ISU will be done dealing with higher-division opponents after week two.
Also, the Bengals have Division II opponent Chadron State and a bye week in weeks 3 and 4.
This will give the Bengals much more time to recover from what Head Coach Mike Kramer called the “Division I hangover” in press conferences last season.
Kramer was referring to the apparent fatigue and flat play that were evident immediately following the Washington and BYU games.
Provided the Bengals can avoid major injury in the Utah and Utah State games, it appears the schedule is optimal this year to give the Bengals a better chance to increase their defensive performances once conference games roll around.
