Bengals ready for scrimmage

More News Legislative session ends Micron posts big loss Infant sleep, obesity linked Obama gets $40 mil in March Iraq stages show of force Irish premier resigning Al-Qaida defends attacks MLK slaying stained Memphis Fed chief coy about plans Housing crisis bill advances Families of dead miners sue Ex-employees sue resort Drone program takes off Slaying suspect arrested Bison slaughter faulted Man charged in toxin case Sports Spain's Outpost Bengals ready for scrimmage Highland wiggles out of jams

POCATELLO - After almost two weeks of practices, there's a pretty clear sentiment within the Idaho State football team.

''It'll be nice to have a scrimmage,'' coach John Zamberlin said. ''It'll be nice to turn these guys loose.''

He and his staff will do that at about 9:20 a.m. today outside Holt Arena, where there will be a chain gang on hand for the first time this spring.

The offense will start drives progressively closer to the end zone, starting at the far 30-yard line, then the 50 and finally at the 20 going in.

Zamberlin said he expects the team to run 50 to 54 plays, rotating in everyone at least a few times.

''They're all out here working hard,'' he said. ''We've got to give them an opportunity to get in and get their snaps.''

Scrimmages are usually most crucial for the freshmen and sophomores who are trying to earn playing time come the season opener Aug. 30 at Boise State.

For many on the roster, this scrimmage will be the closest they've been to a game.

''For the young guys, it's real important,'' said junior Clint Knickrehm, who is fighting for a starting job at running back but won't play because of a torn ligament in his right wrist. ''It allows them to become more comfortable within the offense and defense, to settle into their own. It's a big part of spring ball.''

It's especially important for the defense, which returns just five players with more than five career starts. The unit also is welcoming a slew of players coming off their redshirts - as well as a handful of transfers.

Like last spring, the defensive line is still a bit thin. But this year it's because of minor injuries, Zamberlin said, and not because the corps is short on bodies. That's part of the reason why coaches are limiting the scrimmage to 54 plays - or possibly fewer than that.

Between the driving portions of the scrimmage, the team will run special teams drills. The Bengals will cap the morning with a special teams competition, Zamberlin said.

That's one unit from which many players are hoping to graduate this fall, players like sophomore safety Keith Goins Jr.

''I've got a lot to prove. Playing last year on special teams, I did a lot, but there's a lot more I want to show to the coaches,'' Goins Jr. said. ''I can't wait.

''I can't wait.''

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

Reader Comments

Submit a Comment

Commenting Rules

Report a Comment