The Bengals have washed their hands clean of last weekend.

    Idaho State took a 56-0 thumping at the hands of the University of Washington, and the team is ready to move on.

    Good timing because the Bengals (2-1) open Big Sky Conference play this Saturday as they travel to Davis, Calif., to take on the Aggies of UC Davis.

    “It was a tough loss,” said redshirt junior punter CJ Reyes. “But going into it, the coaches told us that this is just another game. It’s a learning experience for us going in there. I think it’s actually going to help us. We need to do certain things better for these upcoming teams that we are going to play in our conference. I think the Washington game will help us this whole season.”

    Against the Huskies, little went right for ISU, especially early in the game.

    “The way we played those first two series against the University of Washington, we have had a hard time beating Chubbuck Junior High, and there isn’t a Chubbuck Junior High,” said Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer.

    But as players and Kramer voiced during Wednesday’s press conference, the loss to Washington wasn’t purely negative.

    “I think last week was definitely disappointing,” said senior defensive back Jon Davidson. “But it was a good experience, and there were a lot of things that can be learned heading forward.”

    What are some of the lessons the Bengals learned in defeat?

    “Making tackles is the biggest thing,” Davidson said.

    “I felt like when we first got out there we were all running 100 miles an hour,” said redshirt senior cornerback Cameron Gupton. “We just need to calm down and be patient. Just don’t get flustered by anything.”

    During the 2012 season, Idaho State played a game at Nebraska that changed the course of its season, sending it on a downward spiral of lost confidence and injury. Did the same thing happen last Saturday in Seattle?

    “I won’t know until Saturday night, but I’m a little concerned about it,” Kramer said. “I’m a little concerned about it because, defensively, we surrendered way too many yards for the defensive pride we’ve built in two weeks. I guess we’ll find out.”

    Judging by ISU’s players, the team is ready for the grind that is the Big Sky Conference, beginning Saturday against the 0-4 UC Davis Aggies.

    “I think we have a positive attitude about this upcoming weekend,” Gupton said. “I think we’re all on the same page and we’re trying to win, obviously. I think we’re all confident right now.”

    “There is a lot of confidence,” Davidson said. “People think it is a great opportunity to go out there and get a win on the road against a conference opponent, and take advantage of this opportunity heading into the Big Sky conference.”

    What is the origin of the Bengals’ new-found fortitude?

    “It comes from the head man, coach Kramer,” said redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Terrence Carey. “He’s confident in us and the other coaches are confident. When the other coaches are confident, the players are confident.

    “We’ve worked hard up to this point this season. We’re ready to get our first (road) win in a long time and our first conference win in a long time.”

    Idaho State and UC Davis kickoff Saturday at 7 p.m., Mountain Standard Time.