I feel for Jaron Taylor and every member of the Idaho State football team like him.

Really, I do. It might not always seem that way because my job has required that I criticize their play and point out their weaknesses during this 11-game losing streak, but I truly wish they could experience a win and walk away from a game with some type of positive feeling.

But it just hasn't happened.

It's unfortunate, because they try so hard, and during their 52-30 loss to Northern Arizona on Saturday at Holt Arena, I had no fault with their effort. From start to finish - aside from some foolish mistakes and bone-headed personal foul penalties - they did what was asked of them and kept the contest somewhat competitive.

Normally, I wouldn't bother even pointing that out. It's nothing special. Scholarship football players are expected to give their all during games because that's why they get to attend school for free. But against the Lumberjacks, they pushed and pushed while the fans who showed up booed loudly, wore bags over their heads and left before the fourth quarter had even began.

Then, they had to talk about it after the game.

I can't imagine that's an easy subject to discuss. The people who are supposed to cheer you on are booing you. What possible reaction other than rage could you have?

Well, Taylor taught me that you can have humility. You can cope with it just as easily as you can chase down a running back with full intensity late in a game when your team is impossibly behind.

"I understand where the fans are coming from," Taylor said. "I've been a fan of football in the stands. Honestly, we're 0-7. I love the people who stayed the whole time and supported us. But we're not really giving them anything to come out and watch.

"You've gotta expect them to be upset a little bit. I'm not mad at the fans for being upset at us for not winning. I wish we were winning. I wish we were bringing 12,000 a game. But it's understandable. It's definitely understandable from their perspective."

Yes, it is.

I don't blame the fans for booing. If they're still buying tickets to watch an 0-7 team play, they deserve to do or say whatever they want. But I do commend Idaho State for hearing it and then choosing not to give in. The Bengals badly wanted to beat the Lumberjacks. They attempted four surprise onside kicks, for crying out loud.

Taylor said the team's goal is to win its remaining games and go 5-7. If the Bengals lose next time out, the goal would then be to go 4-8. As many games as there are left on Idaho State's schedule, that's how many games these Bengals want to win.

I believe they think they can achieve that goal, too. Idaho State coach John Zamberlin certainly thinks it's possible. After this loss, he talked confidently and pointed out that he would not forget about Northern Arizona choosing to throw the ball late in the fourth quarter with a 52-30 lead.

He was talking about possibly getting revenge down the line.

That's a good attitude. Combined with a never-say-die approach to games from his players and a most-of-the-time explosive offense, I expect that Idaho State will do well enough to possibly win one of its remaining five games. The Bengals will almost certainly fall on the road to Montana and Cal Poly, but games against Portland State, Sacramento State and Weber State - because of the rivalry - will be possible wins.

But losing close isn't what Idaho State is about. Losing close won't persuade the fans to quit booing.

If the Bengals want to feel good about themselves and attract bigger crowds to games, they need to win a few of them. Trying your all no matter the circumstances simply isn't enough.

To start getting some wins, Idaho State will need to cut out the needless mistakes and egotistical decisions. Players can't hit opposing players after a play has long been blown dead simply because they want to, which happened a whole bunch Saturday.

A winless team can't commit 12 penalties for 115 yards against a foe with a 6-1 record. A team with an unproven running game and proven passing game can't try to run the ball for its first three possessions of a game against an opponent that allows a nation-best 7.2 rushing yards per game for the sake of ego.

Those questionable decisions and unforced errors caused Idaho State to fall behind by 29 points before scoring two fourth quarter touchdowns.

There are all kinds of areas in which Idaho State needs to improve if it wants to avoid a winless season. But at least the effort is there. I don't see the Bengals giving in and losing a game by embarrassing proportions the rest of the way.

That's at least one reason not to boo.

Kellis Robinett's column appears on Sundays. Call him at 239-3136 or e-mail krobinett@journalnet.com with comments and story ideas.