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Pocatello, Idaho • Idaho State is one of the most improved teams in the Big Sky Conference, as Southern Utah will discover Saturday.
The Bengals are 3-3 so far this season, which might not sound like much until you examine their recent history.
Idaho State has not won more than three games in a season since 2005. Over the last six years, the Bengals are 11-59 overall and 4-34 in the Big Sky Conference.
Things have changed at ISU, however, and Southern Utah coach Ed Lamb knows it.
"Their players and coaches deserve a lot of credit for hanging in there through a couple of tough years," he said. "They are a very good team."
Idaho State has scored 119 points in its last two games — a 56-53 loss to No. 2-ranked Eastern Washington and a 66-14 victory over Simon Fraser. In their first two games of the season, the Bengals lost at Utah (56-14) and Utah State (40-20).
"Where they have really improved," Lamb said, "is their ability to run the ball."
On the ground, Idaho State is led by running back Xavier Finney. He averages 124.3 yards per game so far. He has scored eight touchdowns.
Bengal quarterback Justin Arias is a weapon, too. He has already thrown for 2,020 yards and 21 touchdowns. For Southern Utah, junior quarterback Ammon Olsen will play, according to Lamb. He suffered a shoulder injury and was taken out of last week's 42-30 loss to Eastern Washington.
"He's healthy," Lamb said. —
Southern Utah at Idaho State
O At Holt Arena
Kickoff • Saturday, 2:35 p.m.
TV • None
Radio • 590 AM
Records • Southern Utah 1-6, 1-2; Idaho State 3-3, 1-1
Series • Idaho State, 7-4
Last meeting • Southern Utah, 19-9 (2013)