Hey guys. Long time, no see.

    Seriously, what have you been up to since we talked last April?

    It has been five months since us in the media have been allowed to interview members of the Idaho State defense, spring ball being the last opportunity. But, the dam broke Saturday evening after the Bengals kept Western State-Colorado out of the endzone in a 29-3 win in Holt Arena.

    “To hold them to no touchdowns, especially from point-blank range, means these three guys get to be the spokesman for the defense that I have held from you guys for quite a while,” ISU head coach Mike Kramer said during the post-game press conference.

    As one would expect, Kramer brought three seniors into the room for us to speak with. He had them waiting outside during the earlier portion of his presser, waiting for the right opportunity to unveil the stars of the game.

    Defensive end James Bergren, cornerback Cameron Gupton and linebacker Jake Pele got behind the podium one at a time and acted as message-bearers for the ISU defense. Their overall theme? Fun and their hate for losing.

    “I just think everyone is having fun,” Bergren said. “Everyone is buying into the scheme and what coach (Spencer) Toone and coach (Roger) Cooper have brought. We’re just having fun together.”

    “We’re just tired of losing, honestly, and tired of giving up cheap plays,” Gupton said. “It’s our senior year. We want to hold it down, make a stand and do something on defense.”

    Idaho State’s D picked a good time to show up, too. With the youthful offense floundering like a fish out of water between the 20s, someone had to make a stand. Literally.

    Western State had a first and goal from the four-yard line following a returned fumble. The defense had to gather its helmets and race onto the field.

    ISU stuffed three straight run plays before Gupton blew up the tight end to knock a sure touchdown catch loose.

    Stand made.

    Suddenly, the Bengals became the Steel Curtain.

    “Everyone jumped off the bench and said, ‘Let’s go. This is our opportunity to show ourselves,’” Pele said. “There was a lot of energy. Thankfully we were able to get the stop.”

    There were moments Saturday when the Mountaineers gashed the Bengals for long runs or deep passes. But, knowing the 2012 Idaho State defense gave up more yards and touchdowns than Johnny Manziel made from selling autographed photos (allegedly), the bend-but-don’t-break approach is a welcome change.

    “We’re working hard on getting our defense to play better,” Kramer said. “I think we can play better against the run, especially on first down. I thought (Western State) did an excellent job tonight on first down.”

    The Bengals’ defense carries momentum into its next game, which happens to be the most unwinnable contest of the season — at Washington.

    Just don’t tell them that.

    “It gives us a lot more confidence knowing that we can play with anybody,” Bergren said.