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Kragthorpe implores ISU’s players to keep a positive attitude
JAY HEATER
[email protected]
As the Idaho State football team stretched on the practice field across from Holt Arena, some mean, dark clouds rolled into the area.
Need a theme for the 2010 season? Perhaps it would be, “There’s a storm coming.”
After watching two unsuccessful seasons, Bengals fans certainly would love to see a squad willing to bring some bad intentions to the field, along with a little thunder and lightning.
The Bengals’ first workout of the season, a crisp two-hour session, was preceded by a special guest who addressed the team — former ISU coach Dave Kragthorpe, whose 1981 team won the national championship.
Those familiar with the 77-year-old Kragthorpe, who now lives in Logan, Utah, know that he inherited a team that had gone 0-11 in 1979. His 1980 Bengals squad went 6-5 before winning it all in 1981.
After telling the Bengals, who have had just two wins the past two seasons, that a positive attitude was key to turning the tables, Kragthorpe was asked how he would respond to people who don’t think winning is possible in Pocatello.
“I would tell them they are crazy,” he said. “There was nothing magic about Dave Kragthorpe. We won six games that first year because of the players. They had a great attitude.
“But there is no formula. People often ask me how we were able to do that. I said if I knew, I would have written a book.
“I do believe that you want to be positive all the time. If you are yelling and screaming at them all the time, what else are they going to think?”
Kragthorpe said if the current Bengals could put a few wins on the board, the fans would pack Holt Arena. “They came during halftime of my first year here,” he said. “We had lost our first two games and were playing Portland State and (quarterback) Neil Lomax. In that first half, the student section was only a third full. But we got up at halftime and they must have been listening on the radio, because the section was full in the second half.”
ISU coach John Zamberlin said he asked Kragthorpe to address the team because he could see some similarities. The current Bengals have faced adversity, but they’ve got a group that has invested the effort, along with a few key transfers, just like that 1980 squad.
“That was the last guy to win a national championship here,” Zamberlin said. “It means a lot to our guys. They will listen to him.”
Zamberlin was pleased with the opening workout, noting that “we have some guys who can move.”
At the top of that list were two junior college transfers, slot back Tavoy Moore and running back Jahmel Rover, who give the Bengals a pair of important offensive weapons.
Unfortunately, Zamberlin also had to deal with some bad news on Friday as freshman quarterback Mike Davenport, out of Highland High School, decided to quit football. After returning from a mission, Davenport informed Zamberlin that his heart isn’t in it. Davenport’s decision leaves the Bengals dangerously short on quarterback depth.
Senior Russel Hill and redshirt freshman Kyle Morris will have to stay healthy.
NOTES: Zamberlin had to go without film for the last 20 minutes of practice as he had to pull his cameramen off the metal towers with lightning threatening. ... ISU’s fourth annual Football 101 Women’s Clinic will be held on Aug. 24. Participating women will tour the newly-renovated football locker room and the Jared Allen Strength & Conditioning Center. Participants will go through four quarter circuit drills and have the opportunity to take the field in the Orange & Black Scrimmage. Hosted appetizers and beverages follow the clinic. Entry is $40 which includes a Football 101 T-shirt. Call 282-5773 by Aug. 21 to enter. ... Bengal fans can join the entire ISU coaching staff at the ISU Bengal Sports Kickoff Party to be held in conjunction with the 9th annual Bengal Challenge. The kickoff party will be held at Intermountain Beverage on Aug. 14 and will feature music and food. Intermountain Beverage is located at 3034 Garrett Way. Doors open at 7 p.m. Dinner will be catered by Remo’s, Mama Inez and The Pressbox. Tickets are available for $20 per person. Call 282-5773 for details.
Kragthorpe implores ISU’s players to keep a positive attitude
JAY HEATER
[email protected]
As the Idaho State football team stretched on the practice field across from Holt Arena, some mean, dark clouds rolled into the area.
Need a theme for the 2010 season? Perhaps it would be, “There’s a storm coming.”
After watching two unsuccessful seasons, Bengals fans certainly would love to see a squad willing to bring some bad intentions to the field, along with a little thunder and lightning.
The Bengals’ first workout of the season, a crisp two-hour session, was preceded by a special guest who addressed the team — former ISU coach Dave Kragthorpe, whose 1981 team won the national championship.
Those familiar with the 77-year-old Kragthorpe, who now lives in Logan, Utah, know that he inherited a team that had gone 0-11 in 1979. His 1980 Bengals squad went 6-5 before winning it all in 1981.
After telling the Bengals, who have had just two wins the past two seasons, that a positive attitude was key to turning the tables, Kragthorpe was asked how he would respond to people who don’t think winning is possible in Pocatello.
“I would tell them they are crazy,” he said. “There was nothing magic about Dave Kragthorpe. We won six games that first year because of the players. They had a great attitude.
“But there is no formula. People often ask me how we were able to do that. I said if I knew, I would have written a book.
“I do believe that you want to be positive all the time. If you are yelling and screaming at them all the time, what else are they going to think?”
Kragthorpe said if the current Bengals could put a few wins on the board, the fans would pack Holt Arena. “They came during halftime of my first year here,” he said. “We had lost our first two games and were playing Portland State and (quarterback) Neil Lomax. In that first half, the student section was only a third full. But we got up at halftime and they must have been listening on the radio, because the section was full in the second half.”
ISU coach John Zamberlin said he asked Kragthorpe to address the team because he could see some similarities. The current Bengals have faced adversity, but they’ve got a group that has invested the effort, along with a few key transfers, just like that 1980 squad.
“That was the last guy to win a national championship here,” Zamberlin said. “It means a lot to our guys. They will listen to him.”
Zamberlin was pleased with the opening workout, noting that “we have some guys who can move.”
At the top of that list were two junior college transfers, slot back Tavoy Moore and running back Jahmel Rover, who give the Bengals a pair of important offensive weapons.
Unfortunately, Zamberlin also had to deal with some bad news on Friday as freshman quarterback Mike Davenport, out of Highland High School, decided to quit football. After returning from a mission, Davenport informed Zamberlin that his heart isn’t in it. Davenport’s decision leaves the Bengals dangerously short on quarterback depth.
Senior Russel Hill and redshirt freshman Kyle Morris will have to stay healthy.
NOTES: Zamberlin had to go without film for the last 20 minutes of practice as he had to pull his cameramen off the metal towers with lightning threatening. ... ISU’s fourth annual Football 101 Women’s Clinic will be held on Aug. 24. Participating women will tour the newly-renovated football locker room and the Jared Allen Strength & Conditioning Center. Participants will go through four quarter circuit drills and have the opportunity to take the field in the Orange & Black Scrimmage. Hosted appetizers and beverages follow the clinic. Entry is $40 which includes a Football 101 T-shirt. Call 282-5773 by Aug. 21 to enter. ... Bengal fans can join the entire ISU coaching staff at the ISU Bengal Sports Kickoff Party to be held in conjunction with the 9th annual Bengal Challenge. The kickoff party will be held at Intermountain Beverage on Aug. 14 and will feature music and food. Intermountain Beverage is located at 3034 Garrett Way. Doors open at 7 p.m. Dinner will be catered by Remo’s, Mama Inez and The Pressbox. Tickets are available for $20 per person. Call 282-5773 for details.
