News Story - Idaho State Journal

tflagstad@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- Junior quarterback Kyle Blum likely will get his second career start Saturday when the winless Idaho State football team hosts Sacramento State to close out its 2008 season.

At his weekly news conference Monday, coach John Zamberlin said he thinks Blum will open the game under center for the Bengals after his performance in a 29-10 loss at No. 5 Montana last week.

"Kyle showed us more than enough to have another opportunity to see what he can do at home in a friendly environment and not just coming in at halftime," Zamberlin said.

In his first career start, Blum went 16-for-34 for 246 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

Blum replaced sophomore Russel Hill, who started the first 10 games of the season.

"He and Russ are two different quarterbacks," Zamberlin said. "Russ is more of a pocket guy. Kyle can create things, get out on the perimeter and hurt you with his feet. You've gotta pay attention a little bit to where he's at."

For the season, Hill set a program record for a sophomore with his 2,634 passing yards. He's completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Before the Montana game, Blum saw action in five other games, and he's completed 41.8 percent of his passes on the season for 388 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for a score.

"Obviously, he made some bad decisions, but that was in a hostile environment that's loud against a good football team," Zamberlin said of Blum's performance in Missoula, Mont. "He'll get better, and it'll be nice for him to play here in front of a friendly crowd."

Secondary thin

Junior Amir Owens, who started at strong safety in the last game, won't play in the season finale after suffering a concussion in the second half against Montana.

Things certainly could've been a lot worse, though, as Owens had to be wheeled off the field on a flat board.

"It was a scary moment," Zamberlin said. "He was out, but when he came to, he couldn't really feel anything below (his waist). He was flopping around with his legs, which was good. By the time we got him on the board, he didn't want to be on the board."

Precautionary X-rays were negative, and Zamberlin said Owens is "sore."

Making things worse in the secondary, sophomore Keith Goins Jr. likely will sit out against the Hornets after suffering a knee injury after coming in to replace Owens against the Grizzlies.

"We're back to being thin in the secondary again," Zamberlin said. "We'll find some tape, some glue and get some guys together."

Who will start at strong safety against Sacramento State is unknown, and the Bengals' depth chart wasn't updated in the weekly football notes released Monday.

By Tim Flagstad

This document was originally published online on Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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