POCATELLO — James Madison and Ty Flanagan sat next to each other wearing matching black Adidas headbands and nearly identical “23” and “24” gold chains.

Idaho State’s dynamic, destructive running backs are the new faces of the Bengals’ offense.

After combining to accumulate 1,900 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, the backfield mates return to lead an offense that is in position to be one of the best in the Big Sky Conference.

“We have pretty good running backs,” Bengals quarterback Tanner Gueller said when asked to identify the biggest strength of ISU’s offense at an ISU football media event June 18 at the Orthopedic Center next to Holt Arena. “Those two are pretty dang good.”

Flanagan, No. 24, was one of ISU’s marquee signings when he picked the Bengals after getting a long look from San Diego State in 2015. He entered last season as the starting running back and finished as the team’s leader in touchdowns.

Madison, No. 23, came to ISU in 2014 as a defensive back. By the end of 2017, he was ISU’s No. 1 running back and was rewarded with first-team all-conference accolades after working his way up the depth chart.

Flanagan, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound redshirt junior, combines lateral quickness with toughness and a knack for hurdling oncoming defenders to escape would-be tacklers. Madison, a 5-foot-11, 227-pound redshirt senior, picks up speed as he goes and uses his sheer size to shed tackles.

Combined, the backs gained 39.7 percent of ISU’s total offense and touched the ball on 42.4 percent of offensive plays last season.

“It is good to feel like (our teammates) can depend on us,” Flanagan said at an ISU football media event June 18 at the Orthopedic Center next to Holt Arena. “We try to give 110 percent whenever we’re on the field. We give our all, no matter who’s in there.”

Each player has had standout performances. First was Madison’s effort at Northern Colorado — 253 yards rushing and two touchdowns, good for the fourth-best single-game rushing total in ISU history. Flanagan took his turn against Portland State at Holt Arena — 108 yards rushing and four touchdowns, tied for the most single-game rushing scores at ISU.

The two aim to be leaders this season. As two of around 70 players who stayed in Pocatello this summer to train, Madison and Flanagan hope the team’s newcomers look to them as examples of the Bengals’ target trajectory during year two of Rob Phenicie’s rebuild.

“We’re the first ones in the weight room, trying to be the last one out,” Flanagan said. “Setting that example that we really want it. We’ve got to have the whole team be on the same page. Just trying to set the bar high for everybody.”

The teammates, who call themselves close friends, fuel each other by comparing stats and accolades. Madison has a head start in 2018, as he was named to the preseason all-conference team earlier this week.

They can always agree on one thing though: two great backs are better than one.

“Everything he does, I’m trying to top,” Madison said. “Competition brings the best out of us.”