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CEDAR CITY — The Southern Utah University football team is preparing this week to take on the Idaho State Bengals in Pocatello, Idaho. ISU leads the series 9-5-1 but the latest win belongs to SUU who beat the Bengals 19-9 last season in Cedar City.
Idaho State is 3-3 overall and 1-1 in Big Sky play while SUU is 1-6 overall and 1-2 in Big Sky play. ISU has gone through a couple of rough seasons and this year things seem to be turning around for them. SUU head coach Ed Lamb said of the much-improved Bengals, “Where they have really improved the most is their ability to run the football. Xavier Finney does an outstanding job, the offensive line is blocking really aggressive and confidently and it fits in well with their scheme. I give a lot of credit to their team for hanging in there through a couple of tough years.”
Lamb continued, “The plays haven’t changed, systems haven’t changed but the product on the field is much improved and they are a very, very good team.”
While ISU has improved, SUU has gone through a rough patch but are staying positive. Coach Lamb said, “ ... they are very much enjoying in competing in the games. They continue to work hard in the weight room, film room and on the practice field. They have had spirited and competitive practices. I don’t see finger-pointing going on. I know that our coaching staff is willing to take share of the blame in terms of pointing that out and accepting that. I believe that the players have followed suit and are holding each other accountable and we trust that things are going to improve.”
ISU is averaging 39.3 points a game and QB Justin Arias is leading the Bengals' improving season with 2,020 yards and 21 touchdowns. Xavier Finney has 765 rushing yards for ISU and eight touchdowns on the season.
Similar to SUU's defense, ISU has struggled this year. The Bengals have given up 37.3 points a game compared to SUU's 37.6 points a game. With ISU struggling on defense, this will give SUU QB Ammon Olsen a chance to have a breakout game. Olsen has thrown for 1,280 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season.
SUU and Idaho State will kick off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. MT in Pocatello, Idaho. Live stats will be available at suutbirds.com.
