SVEN ALSKOG
Staff Writer
When fans looked out onto the field this past weekend to watch the Idaho State University Bengals football team there was a rare site: two true-freshman offensive lineman in the starting lineup.
Along with freshmen Thomas Vazorka and Skyler Phillips, Bengals head coach Mike Kramer’s other three starters on the line against the Northern Colorado Bears were sophomores Wesley Wingrove and Terrence Carey, and junior Jim Bagley. The young group gives hope to fans that there will be continuity on the unit for years to come.
In the matchup with the Bears, the offensive line with Bagley at left tackle, Vazorka at left guard, Wingrove at center, Carey at right guard and Phillips at right tackle helped spark a 532-yard performance by the Bengals’ offense.
While the passing game was as effective as ever in the 40-26 victory over Northern Colorado, with quarterback Justin Arias slicing up the Bears defense for 375 yards, a new emphasis was placed on running the football. Xavier Finney led the way with a touchdown and 155 yards on 37 carries running behind the new look offensive line.
The key for the young guys up front is adjusting to the new speed of the college game.
“I’ve experienced playing as a young pup,” said Bagley. “It throws you in there and you’ve got to learn fast.”
For Vazorka, the start was his first of the season. Phillips has started each game along with Carey and Wingrove. Continued improvement each game is the hope for the unit as a whole. The ability to run the football so effectively against the Bears is a good sign for the future of the offense.
Bagley has been impressed with what he has seen from his fellow linemen to this point.
“They’re stepping up, they’re getting ready to play,” said the junior anchor of the line. “They’re coming off the ball strong and protecting well.”
While Carey, Phillips and Vazorka are first year starters, Wingrove was a key part of the ISU line last season and Bagley has been for the past two. The experience of those two will be relied upon to help with the transition for the other linemen.
“They don’t have the experience that we do,” said Bagley. “But because there are enough guys on the offensive line who have experience, we can help them and that just gets them even more prepared.”
Sophomores Christian Diehm, Travis Namohala and Colin Prestesater have all seen time on the line this season for ISU. Diehm has started three games at left tackle and Prestesater has started one at right tackle.
The current starters up front come from all across the United States, with Vazorka from Washington, Wingrove from Georgia, Phillips from Oregon, Carey from Florida and Bagley from Idaho. Carey is also a transfer from Florida State University.
With a promising performance in their first game working with each other, the five charged with protecting Arias and opening up holes for the running game will look to continue doing just that as they travel to Northern Arizona next.
