Offense
There is good news, starting with senior running back Josh Barnett (5-11, 185), who ran for 1,117 yards last season. The Bengals also have junior Ken Cornist (5-10, 210) to spell Barnett, and some talented receivers in Akilah Lacey - he averaged 20.4 yards per catch and had 10 touchdowns in 2006 - and Eddie Thompson. The offensive line is built around George Yarno (6-0, 275) and Evan Dietrich-Smith (6-4, 285), but there were just 10 linemen in fall camp. Who takes the snaps is the biggest question, now that Michigan transfer Matt Gutierrez has moved on. Pocatello product Luke Butler (6-5, 225) threw all of 12 passes last season, and the sophomore is being challenged by redshirt freshman Russel Hill and true freshmen Evan Mozzochi and Mike Davenport.
Defense
There is a lot to like about the secondary, with D.J. Clark and his six career interceptions back along with fellow corner Anthony Melvin and safety Terrance Calloway. Oregon State transfer Ryan Phipps (6-0, 225) impressed last year as a junior, and mans the middle linebacker spot vacated by first-team all-league pick Pago Togafau. Phipps and Sterling Mennear (6-1, 225) will help make up for the loss of Togafau and Atelea Raass. Up front, the Bengals will count on Geo Simmons and Joel Janke on the ends, and converted end Micah Cloward and Viliami Akoteau in the middle. Akoteau is a key; he had yet to participate in fall camp, which began on Monday.
Notable: Former Griz standout quarterback (1999-2000) Drew Miller is the Bengals' wide receivers coach.
Quotebook: “Ideally, I wouldn't want to be (picked) first. I wouldn't want to be the guy everybody's chasing. You want to have something you're chasing after. For me, I'd like to be chasing the number.”
- C George Yarno
Stud to watch: RB Josh Barnett has 2,390 career rushing yards, which places him fourth on ISU's career list, and within range of leader Alfredo Anderson, who gained 3,370 yards from 1993-96. In second is Merrill Hoge, who gained 2,713 yards from 1983-86.
Bengal data
Forecast: Eighth by the coaches, eighth by the media
2006: 2-9, 1-7 in the Big Sky Conference
Starters returning: 14
Coach: John Zamberlin, 1st season (0-0)
Quote: “The quarterback will be the answer. We're going to be young there. They made some very good strides in the spring, (but) there's going to be some wide-open competition.” - John Zamberlin
Bottom line
Talent at RB and WR give the new regime in Pocatello something to build on. But a porous defense and youth at QB mean ISU has a ways to go for their its playoff berth since 1983.
*missoulian*
p.s. I read on Patriots.com that Matt Gutierrez will most likely make the practice squad this year.
