2008 Woodie Awards
Defense holds down offense for 12-6 Spring game victory
First win in the series since 2001 game
Issue date: 4/27/05 Section: Sports
POCATELLO, ID - Although they recorded no turnovers, the Bengal defense allowed just 231 yards of offense, forcing 10 punts and preventing two fourth-down conversions to record a 12-6 win over the offense in Spring Game VII under head coach Larry Lewis.
Under the modified scoring rules for the spring game, the defense earned a point for each forced punt or successful stand on fourth-down, three points for a turnover, and six for a touchdown return on a turnover. The offense scored conventionally.
The defense forced five straight punts in the first half before the offense responded with their only touchdown of the day when Ken Cornist burst through the line for a 47-yard run on a second-and-one play with 4:00 left on the clock. The defense however picked up a pair of stops, including holding on 4th-and-2 with 22 seconds left for a 7-6 halftime advantage.
The defense then shut the offense out in the second half, and scored five points for the win. Up 10-6, Matt Hagler led the offense on a 14-play, 64-yard drive, but it ended in a missed 34-yard field goal by Jaret Johnson into the wind. After another stop, Hagler came back and led ISU 47 yards in six plays, but after getting a second-and-one at the 31 yard line of the defense, the Bengals couldn't convert, as Cornist was tackled in the backfield on 4th-and-1 with 24 seconds left to account for the final margin.
Hagler ended the day 9-for-17 for 123 yards, while transfer Luke Sniewski was 6-for-14 for 38 yards. Brian Zeches was 4-for-5 for 20 yards. Bengal quarterbacks were sacked five times, twice by Dustin Schroader, and once each by Zach Raphael, Jeff Charleston, and Josh Galloway. Raphael led the team with seven tackles, including four for a loss. ISU also broke up eight passes on the day, including a pair each by D.J. Clark and Terrence Calloway, who both looked impressive in shutting down ISU's receivers for the most part.
The game marked the sixth in seven years under Larry Lewis the wasn't decided until the final 30 seconds. Lewis, who just received a four-year contract on Thursday, was satisfied with the days events. "I thought there were a lot of positives that came out of the game. The kids got a taste of what getting ready for a game is like, and I really saw a lot of improvement in our defense, particularly from some of our younger kids, and with transfer players like Dustin Murray and Jeff Charleston."
Under the modified scoring rules for the spring game, the defense earned a point for each forced punt or successful stand on fourth-down, three points for a turnover, and six for a touchdown return on a turnover. The offense scored conventionally.
The defense forced five straight punts in the first half before the offense responded with their only touchdown of the day when Ken Cornist burst through the line for a 47-yard run on a second-and-one play with 4:00 left on the clock. The defense however picked up a pair of stops, including holding on 4th-and-2 with 22 seconds left for a 7-6 halftime advantage.
The defense then shut the offense out in the second half, and scored five points for the win. Up 10-6, Matt Hagler led the offense on a 14-play, 64-yard drive, but it ended in a missed 34-yard field goal by Jaret Johnson into the wind. After another stop, Hagler came back and led ISU 47 yards in six plays, but after getting a second-and-one at the 31 yard line of the defense, the Bengals couldn't convert, as Cornist was tackled in the backfield on 4th-and-1 with 24 seconds left to account for the final margin.
Hagler ended the day 9-for-17 for 123 yards, while transfer Luke Sniewski was 6-for-14 for 38 yards. Brian Zeches was 4-for-5 for 20 yards. Bengal quarterbacks were sacked five times, twice by Dustin Schroader, and once each by Zach Raphael, Jeff Charleston, and Josh Galloway. Raphael led the team with seven tackles, including four for a loss. ISU also broke up eight passes on the day, including a pair each by D.J. Clark and Terrence Calloway, who both looked impressive in shutting down ISU's receivers for the most part.
The game marked the sixth in seven years under Larry Lewis the wasn't decided until the final 30 seconds. Lewis, who just received a four-year contract on Thursday, was satisfied with the days events. "I thought there were a lot of positives that came out of the game. The kids got a taste of what getting ready for a game is like, and I really saw a lot of improvement in our defense, particularly from some of our younger kids, and with transfer players like Dustin Murray and Jeff Charleston."