Sven Alskog

Sports Editor

Overall record: 2-9
Conference record: 1-7
Finish: Tied last in Big Sky

After entering the season ranked in the top 25 in both major preseason polls, there was plenty of promise for the Idaho State football team.

Head Coach Mike Kramer had just been named the Big Sky Coach of the Year after leading the Bengals to an 8-4 mark the year prior.

Running back Xavier Finney returned for his senior season after rushing for a school record 1,495 yards last year.

All but one starter was back on the offensive line and the defense looked strong as well, led by NFL hopeful Tyler Kuder on the front and all-everything safety Cody Sorensen on the back-end.

While the Bengals had plenty going for them, there were reasons for concern, all of which came to full fruition at various points throughout the season.

Season-ending injuries to defensive stalwarts Mario Jenkins and Taison Manu suffered in the preseason forced young players into action in the back seven.

The special teams concerns after losing players such as snapper Jake Belnap and punter/holder CJ Reyes to graduation proved to be difficult to replace. The coverage teams struggled as well, with injuries depleting the unit.

At the quarterback position ISU fans had become accustomed to Justin Arias making it look easy. In 2015, the transition to Michael Sanders and Tanner Gueller had ups and downs, with Kramer continually mentioning the need for improvement at the position after losses and during weekly press conferences.

Heading into spring ball, Kramer has announced Gueller as the starting quarterback, meaning the experience gained this season could prove crucial moving forward.

Jenkins and Manu will return, providing much needed leadership on defense.

Plenty of players with experience will return on the offensive line, led by Skyler Phillips, Thomas Vazorka and Chase Collins.

So while the 2015 campaign did not go the way many expected for ISU football, the table has been set for what could be a turnaround in the 2016 season.