During a practice, scrimmage or game, Idaho State coach Mike Kramer only sees a snippet of the action.

    Only after some time in the film room does the fourth-year Bengal head coach truly know what happened on the field. In the film room, coaches can see who screwed up because they blundered an assignment, missed a read or were just outplayed.

    Immediately following Idaho State’s scrimmage Saturday, Kramer only wanted to talk about his defense that forced four turnovers.

    Senior linebacker Erik Nelson and senior safety Daniel Roundtree both intercepted quarterback Justin Arias. And unlike what the Journal reported Sunday, freshman Joe Martin and senior Christian Gines both picked off freshman signal caller Tanner Gueller.

    Neither redshirt freshmen James Delacenserie or Trae Pilster committed a turnover. Kramer says ISU is still a long way from definitively naming who Arias’ backup is.

    “Right now if you’re going to pin me on it, I’d say it would have to be James because he’s just more familiar,” Kramer said after Idaho State’s practice Tuesday. “... That could be an open story all the way through October.”

    While Arias had a couple turnovers and his backups were less than impressive, Idaho State’s offense did rebound to score six touchdowns — a positive note Kramer talked about Monday.

    “That was good to see the offense didn’t just curl up into a ball and say it’s the defense’s day,” he said. “But they fought back and played really, really well. Although we had to put the ball in close. So great to see our defense play so well early. And it was great to see our offense respond late.”

Idaho State injury report

    Several players who missed time with injuries last week were back in action Monday, including free safety Cody Sorensen, wide receiver KW Williams, tight end Josh Cook and cornerback Brandon Golden.

    All four of those players are expected to start for the Bengals in the season opener Aug. 28 at Utah.

    Sorensen, who had not practiced since leaving a scrimmage Aug. 11 following a vicious collision over the middle, wore a red jersey Monday, indicating he was not to be hit.

    Golden, a fifth-year senior transfer from Washington State, slipped right into the first-team’s starting cornerback spot opposite senior Vai Peko.

    “We’re just very proud to have him,” Kramer said. “He’s a wonderful person and I think he’s an outstanding player.”

ISU holds a closed scrimmage today

    Idaho State’s final scrimmage of the season is today and is closed to the public and media.

    “I want to see us play with pace on both sides of the ball,” Kramer said. “I want to see us bite like a dog. I want to see both sides of the starting groups a bit and get a sense of play by the twos and threes and use some of the stuff we’re going to use against Utah — that’s why it’s closed.”