(STATS) – Idaho State has had prolific quarterbacks through the years, and 3½-year starter Tanner Gueller is no different, ranking fourth all-time in school history in passing yards.
When Idaho visits Idaho State on Saturday for their much-anticipated first meeting in 10 years, the Bengals offense won’t resemble what the visiting Vandals once faced regularly in the Gem State.
The Bengals – off to their best start (3-1) since 2005, and their first 2-0 Big Sky Conference mark since 1995 – are averaging more rushing yards (240.5) than passing yards (224) – something that last happened over a season in 1997. They’ve scored 13 touchdowns on the ground and only four through the air.
Just last year, they were last in the 13-team Big Sky in rushing with nearly half the output – 123.6 rushing yards per game. That was even a good number compared to some seasons. From 2009-12, they didn’t even average 60 yards on the ground.
This season, the Bengals have used the ground assault to notch quality wins over North Dakota and Northern Arizona. They regularly employ two running backs, the aptly named James Madison – yes, a certain school with the same name knows about running the ball and winning games – and Ty Flanagan. The duo has rushed for a combined 766 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“When I’m tired, Ty comes in. When he’s tired, I come in. We give each other a break,” Madison, a senior, said on “This Week in Big Sky Football.” “I feel like that’s what helps the team out. We always have a running back in that’s fully healthy, that has all the energy and can run up and down the field without being tired.”
The stunning improvement is the result of second-year coach Rob Phenicie shifting the offensive philosophy around his personnel. It began with the Madison-Flanagan duo last year, when the Bengals were only 4-7, yet stunned Nevada for an FBS upset.
Idaho coach Paul Petrino said one of the keys to beating Idaho State is slowing down its run game. The Idaho rivals will begin playing each other annually now that the Vandals have returned to the Big Sky from the FBS level. They bring a 28-11 series lead, including 13-6 in Pocatello, into what has been dubbed the “Battle of the Domes.” Idaho State has the Kibbie Dome.
“It should be a great game,” said Petrino, whose 2-2 team beat Portland State last Saturday for its first Big Sky win since 1995. “They’re playing really good football right now; they’ve done a great job coaching. James, their running back, is big and strong and really does a good job. Obviously, Tanner, their quarterback, is playing really well.”
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