ISU Bengal

Issue date: 8/30/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jesse Sena

It's that time of year again pigskin fans. Another exciting season of Bengal football is upon us. The Bengals have high hopes of a successful breakout season as they find themselves picked 5th overall in the Big Sky Conference preseason polls.

ISU could be a team with key components for a successful year in 2006. They return nine starters on offense and six on defense. University of Michigan transfer, Matt Gutierrez, takes over at quarterback. He will throw to key receivers Akilah Lacey and Eddie Thompson.

Also returning in the backfield for the Bengals are Josh Barnett and Ken Cornist. Last season, they combined for more than 1600 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Senior linebacker, Pago Togafau, leads the defense, which finished second in the league last season.

The Bengals kicked off their practice season with a two-week long camp. During the first week of camp, the team was on lockdown in Turner Hall, including coaches and married players.

In the second scrimmage of the practice season, the defense racked up ten sacks, but Gutierrez put on an impressive performance, going 15-19 for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Through two scrimmages, Gutierrez is 21-30 for 296



yards, 5 touchdowns and just one interception.

The first game of the season will be on September 2 in Las Vegas against the Rebels of UNLV. The last time these two teams met was in 1984, with a 33-20 victory for the Rebels. These

teams have met on six occasions with UNLV leading the series 4-2. Kickoff is at 7:05 PM. For those attending the game and interested in tailgate information refer to ISU's football webpage.

Also, something new to ISU football this season is an ongoing blog entry by senior tight end, Brandon Mennear. He will give weekly insight on the team. To access this, look on ISU's football webpage under 2006 Football Bengal Diary.

I sat down with ISU Head Coach, Larry Lewis and asked him what he sees as the difference in the team this year over previous seasons.

"Better leadership," Lewis



said. "We have more returning guys than in years past. The guys are more together as a team. I see the players are focused on team goals instead of individual goals."

Lewis and the Bengals enter the season with lofty expectations and a sense of how they will get there.

"It all starts with winning a Championship," Lewis said. "That is our ultimate goal. As we focus on every play everyday, the bigger things will take care of themselves."

Not only does Lewis coach his players, but he's got a message for the rest of the student body as well.

"There's nothing better than playing in Holt Arena when it's full," he said. "That's when we have the home field advantage. We want the student body to come out and show their support for ISU football."

ISU's first home game will be September 9, when they host Fort Lewis at 3:05 PM.

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