Well, it has been too long overdue since we have been under the beautiful sunshine in Martin Stadium watching a football game in God's country. Finally, this Saturday we get to enjoy Cougar Football Saturday once again. Besides the bigger, faster, and stronger football players, Cougs fans get to enjoy the new lettering in the end zones and the new Cougar Den private gameday area under the score board. We also get to enjoy an opponent we are actually favored against. However, the mighty Bengals of Idaho State do have some players Coug Fans should be aware of. Consider this your primer of who to watch out for this Saturday.
Braedon Clayson: Clayson is a 6'6" 300lb horse of an O-Lineman who has grown into a dominant force for the Bengals. With the overall lack of size present on their O-Line he will be a man amongst boys protecting the quarterback. If the Bengals want any shot of getting any momentum against the Cougs he is going to have to own his side of the line.
Tavoy Moore: Moore is a small back at 5'6" 190lbs but his play is eerily similar to Quizz Rodgers. Tavoy plays with a chip on his shoulder and has speed to burn. In the open field he is difficult at best to bring down. If you want to get an idea of the talent the Cougs will be tasked at stopping here is a youtube clip of him. Tavoy Moore Player of the Week. It would be surprising to see him kept quiet by the best defense in the country let alone WSU.
Roderick Rumble: Rumble is a 6'2" 200lb junior WR who has emerged as the leader amongst a young receiving corps. Similar to the Cougs the Bengals are young but experienced at the WR position. Rumble is a physical receiver who has learned the tricks of playing at the collegiate level. Hopefully, Washington and Simmons are battle tested enough to shut Rumble down after practicing against Wilson and Karstetter all summer and fall.
Kevin Yost: Yost is a 6'1' 195lb QB who has some legs to go with his pocket presence. Unfortunately for Yost, his offensive line is on the smaller side and he will have to use his legs in order to avoid sacks. Yost is an accurate passer, especially on mid range throws. He is a JC transfer from Arizona and is ready to make the most of his Jr. year at Idaho State.
Jordan Monga: Monga is a 5'11" nose tackle weighing in at 275lbs. If the Bengals want to slow WSU's running game it will have to relying on his push up front. Monga plays physical and has good technique in regards to low pad level. He is the rock being flanked by a 235lb and 240lbs tackles.
AJ Storms: Storms a 6'0" 230lb was the anchor of the 2010 Bengal defense. Storms was the pride of Meridian Idaho before Darren Markle even suited up in High School He is quick, strong, and loves to put his helmet on RB's. Mitz, Galvin, and Winston will have to avoid Storms if they want to have any shot of putting together a big game.
David Harrington: Harrington is 6'2" punter with a 50 yard leg. Whatever, field position advantage the Bengals had last year was because Harrington is a boomer. It will be interesting to see how our Punt Return game plays out considering the distance Harrington can put behind the football.
The Bengals had a rough year last year but are now under the helm of the Mike Kramer era. Kramer knows a thing or two about WSU but I don't know if that will be enough to overcome the size and speed difference he will face on Saturday. The Cougs are favored by 27.5 points and on paper they should be able to deliver. However, it will be hard to tell what this game will say about the Cougs when it comes to a close on Saturday afternoon. It will be nice to be playing a team like the Idaho State Bengals instead of one of the powerhouses we have been opening with lately.
Go Cougs
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