The Bengals of Idaho State have some talent (QB Russel Hill, RB Clint Knickrehm, DT Demetrius Amos, WR Jaron Taylor are all potential first-team All-Big-Sky type talent) but they just can't seem to put together. Penalties KILLED the Bengals shot at breaking through for a win in Arizona this time, after they went up 7-3, and held the lead for a portion of the first quarter. And, as with all teams on the skids, when the chips get down, these guys just seem to fold. Hill was only one of two stellar junior QBs in this game, and the other, NAU's Michael Herrick is beginning to draw some serious Harlon Hill consideration. The smooth junior upstaged the talent Hill by going 24 of 37 for 272 yards and a TD. He has now thrown 170+ passes without a pick, and is definitely a name to remember for next year. The star of the show on offense on the receiving end of those aerials (and the kick return duties) was senior RB Conrad Meadows. In the end, the Bengals D-line and LB corps is simply too shallow in talent to stop anybody.

SCORING SUMMARY:

College: Idaho State Conference: Big Sky Columnist: Steve Martin

Game Notes
Russel Hill 17 5' 11.0" 193 4.76 QB 2011: One of the best pure passers
in all of FCS football when he is clicking, but he is streaky. Looked like a world beater early, then faded. Has a legit target in Jaron Taylor, but has a weak O-line and no real TE with Messersmith on the shelf. Can throw darts--esp. in the 20-25 yard range. Threads the big eye of the FCS needle. Really nice throws are the skinny post and drag routes. Ball comes out fast and he has pretty quick feet. Nice accuracy while on the run. Has another year to develop. Short, but definitely has some tools. GRADE: Slightly positive

Clint Knickrehm 5 5' 10.5" 224 4.55 HB 2010: Has very little to work with but makes the most of a bad situation. Had his best day of the year today, and when he gets just a little help up front he runs hard, and chews up tacklers and clock. Bounces off tackles. Plays with emotion and gives good effort even in a constantly losing cause. 4.55 seems generous...probably closer to 4.70, if the truth be known. Has enough size and desire to make somebody's league--not sure where though. Hands and blocking are not used much in this offense and can not be fully evaluated. GRADE: Neutral

Jaron Taylor 1 5' 10.6" 183 4.50 WR 2010: Could be the best athlete on the team, and has some serious skills that are underutilized at times due to the pressure the QB seems to always be under. Can settle nicely in zones. Can wiggle his way open. Toe touches the sidelines masterfully. Above average hands. May get jammed at a pro LOS though, and 4.50 may be generous. Has some talent and deserves a post-season invitation. Could surprise in the right camp..i.e. one that values hands and routes over size and/or speed. GRADE: Slightly positive

Trevor Messersmith 44 6' 2.3" 250 4.80 TE 2010: DNP

Demetrius Amos 98 6' 0.5" 322 5.15 DT 2010: Plays quite well when he is fresh and demands a double team when he is giving full effort. Can split the double team at the Big Sky level, and chases the QB. Doesn't always close the deal, but he is generally disruptive. Is his team's only real defensive line threat, and so he gets a lot of attention and still plays pretty well in spurts. Lacks height, stamina and growth potential. Will never be more than what he is. A poor man's Myron Pryor, but he can not be over-worked as he wears down quickly and becomes ineffective. Needs to lose weight to increase stamina. Has some natural DT moves, and moves his bulk pretty well. Mostly a straight-ahead bull rusher, but he is pretty determined and can twist and rip when fresh. GRADE: Slightly positive

Lance Cartwright 71 6' 5.2" 295 5.40 OG 2010: Another guy who is streaky. Looks like the Incredible Hulk on one play and your mother's hairdresser on the next. Playing with a bum ankle which may force him to take plays off. Also seems to be letting the losing slip into his effort level. Has the body, but is top heavy and not really well balanced. OK pass protecting when protecting a small area. Not good on an island as a PPer. hand fights instead of seriously drive blocking on some running plays, but turns it on occasionally. Will tussle. An enigma. GRADE: Slightly negative

Jarrett Huk 16 6' 1.0" 177 5.00 K 2010: Big, but inconsistent leg. Has 12 touchbacks on KO's so far this year and really drove the ball in NAU's dome. Drove one clear out of the endzone. Only 6-14 on FGs so far. Hit from 33 in the first hald, and may have had one after the tape ran out on me with 3 minutes left because the score did change. Might try to stash him somewhere and get him some coaching. Has the leg. GRADE: Neutral


College: Northern Arizona Conference: Big Sky Columnist: Steve Martin


Game Notes
Cody Dowd 44 6' 3.2" 250 4.80 LB 2010: DNP. Not sure what's up.

Alex Henderson 30 5' 9.0" 205 4.60 HB 2010: Plays pretty well, but has no wow factor. Rushed for over 100 yards against one of the FCS's worst defenses. Pretty quick in the hole. A glider. Not "real" anything...A bit of a hot head. Would be very lucky to be in a camp. GRADE: Neutral

Curt Sweeney 80 5' 11.0" 182 4.55 WR 2010: Good blocker and reliable possession type. I doubt he is sub 4.60. Didn't see that many balls but caught a couple and really blocked well down field. Who needs a 182-pound/4.60 blocking WR? Anyone? GRADE: Slightly negative

Ryne Holstrom 62 6' 5.7" 300 5.35 OT 2010: Plays ROT and you can quickly see why. Feet are below average. Fighter in the run game, but no killer. Nothing special here. But, he looks as good as the second McQuistan drafted a couple years ago, so who knows? Patty cake blocker at times. Actually waves at speed rushers going by at other times. Very herky jerky in his pass drops. You can't teach 6'6" 300 though...OK when asked to do things staright ahead, like pass blocking a DT-type with no moves....GRADE: Negative

Conrad Meadows 13 5' 7.0" 186 4.60 WR 2010: Actually added this kid to the database as a result of this game. They list him at 5'9", but if he's over 5'7" I'll eat my hat. He is all legs, and he moves them. 4.60 seems legit. Reminds me of Chad Owens (Hawaii, '06) when returning the ball... deadly on swing passes and bubble screens. Enoug here if he plays this way all the time to invite him in. Explosive pinball as a WR. GRADE: POSITIVE

OTHER NOTES:

NAU: QB Michael Herrick (#7) is a junior with some skills. Played better than Hill, but Hill still gets my nod in the talent department. Is very accurate at this level with a crazy passer rating. Very nice delivery. Like Hill, throws a very nice 20-yard post. Goes inaccurate when he tries to feather the ball though. Has a year to improve.

LB Steven Meagher is a senior who had a "pick 5.9"...got tacked at the 2 after like an 80-yard return.


Idaho State:

LB A.J. Storms has been getting beaten up all year but is just a sophomore (#30, 6'0", 208) and the Bengals best defensive player. Pray for a ISU WR who was carried off on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance with an apparent neck injury. His name escapes me right now....

Steve, how does Russell Hill compare with Russell Wilson?

Hmmm...interesting question actually, Bill. There are some similarities there to be sure. Wilson has a much, much better supporting cast of course, and is probably faster and a better runner. As passers, they are about equal. I think Hill may have a tad more upside, but it's going to be tough for him to shine with the problems ISU is having.