Lucas Gebhart
Sports Editor
Spring time in Pocatello: the snow is melting, the leaves are changing and the Idaho State football team is retooling its offense.
The Bengals are making their way through the spring football season without star wide receiver Madison Magnum, quarterback Michael Sanders and three starting offensive line man that were lost to graduation.
Skyler Philips, who has missed some practice time due to an injury, is filling in at center, while Kyle Jones is moving out to tackle.
Chase Collins has been filling the void at left tackle, however, he missed the second half of the second scrimmage due to injury and will most likely not be available for the rest of the spring.
“It was good to get Skyler Phillips back at center,” head coach Mike Kramer said. “He makes a huge difference in the middle of our offensive line. Kyle Jones has made a great transition from center to tackle. He has done really well.”
The Bengals completed their second scrimmage last Saturday and will look to close out their spring season with the spring game on April 23.
During the second scrimmage, the offense scored a total of six touchdowns, while turning the ball over twice and only giving up two sacks.
Quarterback Tanner Gueller completed 11 of 16 throws including a 40 yard touchdown to KW Williams, who appears to have emerged as Gueller’s favorite target.
“We are getting more comfortable with each other,” Williams explained. “Coach Trox’s offense is coming together really well. He looked good.”
“Tanner has just grown,” Kramer said. “He has gone from a guy that wears the gear, to a guy that plays the position.”
In the first scrimmage, Gueller was 21-31 with a touchdown and two interceptions.
“The quarterbacks were awesome in the pocket today,” Kramer said after the second scrimmage.
“Just felt like our guys were running great routes and I had a lot of time back there,” Gueller said. “When those things happen, I feel like we can be really good. We were on the same page a little more this week.”
With the graduation of Xavier Finney, running back Jakori Ford has been asked to be the team’s workhorse back due to the lack of depth at the position. So far, he has answered the call. Ford scored three of the team’s six touchdowns in the second scrimmage on 11 carries. He also got involved with the passing game, hauling in three passes for 45 yards.
“When you hand it off, you know Jakori, he is fast, he is out,” Gueller said, commenting on his senior running back. “It is fun sometimes to chase him 50 yards down the field. It is nice to have a play maker like that back there.”
“I hope we score a lot of touchdowns, put up a lot of points,” Gueller said. “Be efficient, no three-and-outs and get a better first drive.”
The spring game is free and open to the public. ISU will hold its annual spring game next Saturday at noon on the ICCU Practice Field.
