As quarterback Justin Arias dropped back to pass during Saturday’s Dave Kragthorpe Classic Spring Game, linebacker Trevor Spence mirrored him almost step for step in the defensive backfield.

    Arias prepared to throw a short screen pass, and Spence recognized the play immediately. The redshirt junior from Aberdeen smoothly stepped to his left, and hauled in the interception with his fingertips.

    Had head coach Mike Kramer not blown his whistle, Spence would have easily scored on a 66-yard pick-six.

    That play ended Idaho State’s spring practice on a defensive exclamation point, something the Bengals have been aching to see.

    “That really put the icing on the cake for the defense today,” said redshirt junior defensive lineman David Forester. “That gets us excited. That was our last little spark of the day. It gives us a little taste of success, and we need that. We’re hungry for it.”

    After a lackluster scrimmage April 19, and coming off a historically bad 2012 season, the defense was chomping at the bit for a chance to shine. It did Saturday as ISU’s defense beat the offense 37-27. Forester says that has never happened since he became a Bengal.

    “Congratulations to us,” he said.

    After forcing seven three-and-outs (three points apiece) and making eight other stops (two points each), culminating in Spence’s interception, the beleaguered Bengal defense had its revenge — and is finally beginning to form an identity.

    “(It was) much better today,” Kramer said. “We didn’t panic. We played with a lot more calmness, yet a lot more intensity. David Forester played outstanding, as did PJ Gramaud at the inside part of our defense.”

    Arias’ explanation of the play eludes to the defense’s knack for learning from past mistakes — and its suddenly effective play.

    “It was a great play by him,” he said of Spence. “Throughout the 15 practices, I’ve been sneaking in those passes by just a few inches. He learned. I might have gotten a little greedy and thought I could get it in. There was definitely a smarter play, but it was definitely a great play by Trevor.”

    The offense scored three touchdowns on the day — a four-yard Aaron Prier run, an 80-yard catch and run from Riley Sessions to Kameron Taylor and a 65-yarder from Arias to Broc Malcolm — and hit two field goals on four attempts.

    Arias finished the game 22-of-32 for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Sessions was 8-of-16 for 132 yards, one score and one pick.

    Redshirt freshman wide receiver Broc Malcolm caught eight balls for 107 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt senior Cam Richmond added five catches for 43 yards. Redshirt freshman receiver Kameron Taylor was the recipient of Sessions’ 80-yard touchdown pass.

    In the run game, which continued to show flashes of effectiveness, sophomore Braeden Mitchell led the way with 69 yards on 13 carries. Junior Aaron Prier added 48 yards and a score on 12 rushes, but he also lost a fumble on the goal line. Sophomore Xavier Finney carried the ball 11 times for 36 yards.

    “I thought our defense played well against the run, and then fractured, which is kind of a scenario we have witnessed already,” Kramer said. “But they came back and held the offense out of the endzone, especially on that last drive.”

    Arias was impressed by what he saw on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

    “I think they responded with a lot of energy. They were ready to go,” he said. “Nobody likes looking bad, so they came out ready to play, mentally sharp, physical and they were definitely a little tougher on the run. We just had to respond.”

    While the offense did land some punches — the two long touchdown passes came on back-to-back plays — the defense had its number all day.

    Redshirt junior linebackers Spence, Jake Pele, Keelan McCaffery and redshirt senior cornerback Cameron Gupton all had seven tackles on the afternoon. Redshirt freshman defensive back K.W. Williams intercepted a Sessions’ pass midway through the game. The defense also registered six sacks.

    “We’re coming along,” Forester said. “Our engine’s starting to turn over. As a team we’re starting to play together, and we’re starting to create more explosive plays all around.”

    With the spring game win and a moral victory under its belt, ISU’s defense heads into the summer and eventually into fall camp on a roll.

    “It’s such a momentum game,” Forester said. “Once you get your momentum up, you get excited and you’re making some plays. It gets easier to build on that and to keep getting better.”

    Kramer attributes the defensive success to his coaching staff and all the changes he made during the offseason, including him focusing his energy on being “just a head coach.”

    “The guys that are here have an opportunity to be more well-led by a head coach that’s really paying attention to the entire program, not just the defense,” he said. “I felt like that was what we needed to take a big step next year. It feels good now, and we’ll see how it goes.”