Growing Pains
The Idaho State football team conducted their second scrimmage of spring training on April 19. While watching their practices leading up to the scrimmage, I focused on watching the defense. I will note a few general thoughts about the defense before I break them down by position.
We all know the defense struggled last season. We had difficulties stopping the run and deep pass plays, mostly because the defense was physically out-matched. As a unit, our defense has been undersized compared to other teams in the Big Sky Conference. Certainly, there is a ton of speed, effort and talent for the Bengals, but having size and strength is a key component to a successful defense. Simply put, we were a light unit. As a result, our guys had difficulty stopping the run and winning their one-on-one matchups. During my career here as a Bengal football player from 2008-2012, I noticed that we were always smaller than our Big Sky opponents. Other teams ‘looked’ like a Division I football team.
Fast forward to the offseason, the first thing I have noticed about most of my former teammates and the new additions to the squad is that they have beefed up. In talking with some of the guys, they mentioned there was a restructuring and revamping of the weight room workouts. Whatever the heck they did in there, it has paid off, and I am jealous of it. The entire squad (offense included) looks bigger and stronger. For once in my life, I felt like a small guy when standing amongst them. In watching the team practice and scrimmage the last two weeks, there is a noticeable improvement in the individual performance of the team.
Defensive line
The lack of size in our team has hurt our defensive line most of all. Speed has long been their only weapon. Now they can add power to the arsenal.
The unit grew in size tremendously with the addition of transfer Tyler Kuder alone. The 6-foot-3, 327 pound man can lift the entire weight room by himself and has frightening speed for a guy his size. He practiced with the team last season after transferring from Montana Western and made life for my fellow offensive line and I a living nightmare. Derrick Roche, the former offensive line coach here for the Bengals, likened him Haloti Ngata of the Baltimore Ravens, whom Roche played against during his collegiate glory days.
“The arrival of Tyler Kuder should help” the progression of our defensive line, head coach Coach Kramer said. Though he is new to the system here, Kramer added, he has plenty of playing experience while at Montana Western.
James Bergren, who will be a fifth-year senior next season, talked about how the size and strength upgrade has made a positive difference for him and the team.
“I feel like we have come a long way,” he said. “We have focused a lot on the weight room stuff. I feel like that has helped us. We have come a long way since last year, but we need to keep pushing.”
Bergren added, however, that the team needs to grow mentally tougher. Coach Kramer agrees but added the maturity of the group will required for the group to be successful.
“The age and the maturity of this group is starting to show,” he said, “especially from Bergren, David Forrester and Kimo Makaula. I like the group as a unit, but our game day performance is a long way away.”
There will be great depth on the defensive line. Kuder, Forrester and Bergren should be the starting trio, but Austin Graves, Sage Warner, Austin Baker, Makaula and newcomer Robbie Mackesey can all make plays and dominate up front. The unit has an average weight of 290 pounds, a great mark for a team who employs three defensive linemen in their schemes. The blend of speed and strength the defensive line now has will benefit the entire team.
Linebackers
This unit, as well, has increased in size, largely due to the arrival of a couple of junior college transfers. But the Bengals can still count on some seasoned veterans to lead the group, namely in Trevor Spence, Mitch Beckstead and Jake Pele.
Spence was a former walk-on who last season tackled his way to the honorable mention Big Sky All-Conference Team. He led the team in tackles during the 2012 campaign with 90 and had a team-high three sacks. With experience alone, Spence will be a leader for the group.
In the second spring scrimmage, Nick Albano and P.J. Gramaud, two of the junior college transfers, performed well. Albano had eight tackles and one pass deflection (leading to a Taison Manu interception) while Gramaud had a fumble recovery and a few tackles. Adding them to the rotation with Spence, Beckstead and Pele will make the Idaho State linebackers a formidable band of players.
The new defensive scheme under the co-direction of Roger Cooper and Spencer Toone will depend on savvy play from the linebackers. Coach Kramer described their altered defense as a “slashing” type, meaning the defensive line will be stunting and twisting to confuse enemy offense lineman. This will keep blockers off of the linebackers in order for them to make tackles.
“It is a slow process,” said Albano about learning the defense, “but we have great coaches and great football players that are making it easier. It’s a good group of guys.”
Beckstead has not participated in any practices this spring as he recovers from injuries sustained from last season. For Pele, Coach Kramer believes that he “has finally found his home as an outside linebacker.”
Defensive backs
Here is a position I know very little about. What I do know is that playing corner and safety is the most difficult of any position in football. This is widely agreed upon in football circles.
With that said, the Bengals have some great players for their defensive backfield. Unfortunately, most of them have been injured and have had to sit out all of spring training. This is includes seniors-to-be safety Tanner Davis and corner Jon Davidson. Younger players such as Christian Gines, Michael Berger and others will have an opportunity to earn some playing time. Gines and Berger have long been special teams contributors and are due to becoming integral players for the defense.
One player who has been healthy for spring ball and is receiving much praise from his head coach is Cameron Gupton. Last week after a practice, Coach Kramer told reporters that Gupton is one of the finest players he has ever coached. In the second scrimmage last Saturday, Gupton made plays that merited him more deserved praise.
“Cameron Gupton is putting together for himself a phenomenal spring season,” Coach Kramer said. “He is just consistent all the time.”
Another player to keep your eye on for next season will be Taison Manu. The safety was named to the College Sports Journal Freshman All-American Team. He tied for second on the team in total tackles (with Beckstead) with 77 and his interception return for a touchdown in the April 19 scrimmage was considered by Coach Kramer to be the highlight of the day. At the rate Manu is improving, he is going to be a super player for the Bengals.
During winter workouts, redshirt junior Daniel McSurdy was moved from running back to safety. McSurdy is one of the fastest players on the team which will help him transition into a new position.
“He is making very good progress, he is really going to help us and will be competing for serious playing time at the safety position next season.”
If McSurdy can establish himself as a solid defensive player, the Bengals’ defensive backfield will be loaded. With Davis and Davidson healthy and Gupton and Manu continuing to play well, defending against the deep ball.
