ISU football: Bengals garner league-high 6 players on preseason all-conference team

By Kyle Franko kfranko@journalnet.com @ByKyleFranko
Jul 20, 2015
Jul 20, 2015 Updated Aug 8, 2015
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PARK CITY, Utah — There are a whole new set of expectations for the Idaho State Bengals this fall.

ISU placed a league-high six players on the 2015 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team, which was released Monday.

On the same list one season ago, Idaho State had zero preseason all-conference honorees.

These aren’t the same old Bengals.

“It’s an honor,” said ISU running back Xavier Finney. “To have that many players on our team and on our program on that list is truly an honor and an achievement to what coach (Mike) Kramer and the coaching staff has established here at Idaho State.”

Joining Finney on the All-Big Sky preseason team is senior center Christian Diehm, senior wide receiver Madison Mangum, senior defensive tackle Tyler Kuder, sophomore linebacker Mario Jenins and senior safety Taison Manu.

The six players is more than any other team in the Big Sky. Montana State had five and Eastern Washington, Montana and Northern Arizona each had four apiece.

Maybe the most surprising part for the Bengals is that three defensive players were recognized.

“It’s a reward. It’s also an obligation,” said Kramer, who is entering his fifth season with Idaho State. “We’ll see if any one of those six guys can play to the standards that a lot of other people think they can achieve. I’m pretty sure they will be able to. Time will tell. We’ll know late in November.”

Kramer cautioned that even though the Bengals’ defense may have a few outstanding individuals, it doesn’t mean it’s a squad ready to ascend to one of the Big Sky’s best units.

“It says that we have some pieces of a defense that could be pretty good. We don’t have the whole thing done yet,” Kramer said. “… Some great individuals. Some very good coaching. But it has to coalesce now.”

Magnum exploded onto the scene last year, finishing with 1,234 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He was a First Team all-conference selection.

Like Magnum, Jenkins was an unexpected standout for the Bengals. He led the team with 120 tackles, was named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year and placed fourth in the Jerry Rice award voting for national freshman of the year.

In terms of defensive production, Manu, a former Highland Ram, was right behind Jenkins with 110 tackles and eight tackles for loss.

Kuder was ISU’s anchor along the defensive line, and Diehm was part of a Bengals offensive front that opened gaping holes for Finney and kept quarterback Justin Arias upright and safe in the pocket.

“If you didn’t respect us before, I think you’re going to respect us now with the season that we had last year,” Finney said.

A select group of media members and sports information directors voted for the 30-player team and award winners. The Big Sky’s preseason media and coaches’ polls will be released Tuesday.

Eastern Washington’s Cooper Kupp was tabbed as the Big Sky’s preseason offensive MVP, the first receiver in league history with that distinction.

Southern Utah defensive end James Cowser is the preseason defensive MVP. Cowser set a single-season Big Sky record with 28.5 tackles for loss last season, surpassing the former record of 28 set by Idaho State’s Jared Allen.

2015 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team

Offensive MVP – Cooper Kupp, Jr., WR, Eastern Washington

Defensive MVP – James Cowser, Sr., DE, Southern Utah

OFFENSE

Pos. Player Year Hometown School

QB Dakota Prukop Jr. Austin, Texas Montana State

RB #Xavier Finney Sr. Oceanside, Calif. Idaho State

RB Kori Garcia Jr. Los Angeles, Calif. Cal Poly

FB *#Nick Butier Sr. San Luis Obispo, Calif Northern Arizona

TE R.J. Rickert Sr. Gilbert, Ariz. Northern Arizona

OG #JP Flynn Jr. Bettendorf, Iowa Montana State

OG #Aaron Neary Sr. Richland, Wash. Eastern Washington