Denim Millward
Sports Editor
After an improved 2013 football campaign that saw a modest two-game improvement in the win column, the Bengals will undoubtedly be hungry to tack on more check marks in the win column in 2014.
They may have to wait a while to do that.
The Bengals will kick off the 2014 football season by facing the University of Utah Utes on Aug. 28 and will play the Utah State Aggies Sept. 5.
The front-loaded schedule make the process of gathering momentum and demonstrating their improved play an uphill battle.
Despite coming off a subpar 5-7 season, the Utes showed flashes of promise in the ultra-competitive Pac-12; the most impressive win coming against the Stanford Cardinal, a team that was ranked in the top-10 nationally for the majority of the season.
Led by sophomore quarterback Travis Wilson, the Utes also scored victories against in-state rivals Brigham Young University and Utah State.
While they lost their opening contest to the aforementioned Utes, the Aggies put together a better overall season, posting an impressive 9-5 record, albeit in a lesser conference.
When the Bengals travel to Logan, Utah to play Utah State, they will face a stout defense and a dual-threat quarterback in Chuckie Keeton. Keeton posted a 18-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2013. He compiled 241 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Following the two contests against Division I-A opponents, ISU will play NCAA Division II team Chadron State on Sept. 13.
In addition to being against a lower-division opponent, the Bengals will also be playing in the friendly confines of Holt Arena for the first time that year.
Even more welcome will be the bye week on Sept. 20, giving the Bengals additional time to recover from what Head Football Coach Mike Kramer dubbed the “Division I-A Hangover” last season, explaining less effective and energetic play in weeks following facing off against higher-level foes.
On Sept. 27, the Bengals will try to put their week of rest to good use against Sacramento State in the 2014 Homecoming Game.
This will be Idaho State’s first contest against the Hornets since 2012, after the teams did not play last year.
In addition to Homecoming, this will also be the first conference game for the Bengals.
After traveling to Cheney, Wash., for a battle with quarterback Vernon Adams and the Eastern Washington Eagles on Oct. 4, the Bengals will host an unusual opponent.
ISU will welcome the Simon Fraser University Clan to Holt Arena on Oct. 11. The Clan is a team based out of British Columbia, Canada.
Starting Oct. 25, the Bengals will hit the road for two consecutive weeks for contests against Northern Colorado in Greeley and against the Portland State Vikings in Portland.
The Bears of Northern Colorado have traded victories with Idaho State the past three years, with the home team soundly winning each year.
The victory over Northern Colorado was ISU’s sole conference victory in 2013.
On Nov. 8, the Bengals will face off at home against Cal Poly and then will head to Bozeman, Mont., on Nov. 15 for a matchup with the always-tough Montana State Bobcats.
The Bengals will close the season at home against the Weber State Wildcats on Nov. 22.
