dthompson@journalnet.com

GREELEY, Colo. - Bad snaps - long and short - stunted Idaho State's rushing statistics in the team's 29-9 loss to Northern Colorado on Saturday in Greeley, Colo.

But without those lost yards, it was still Idaho State's worst rushing performance of the season.

Bengals running backs Clint Knickrehm and Ken Cornist combined for 56 yards on 13 carries, the fewest by the duo so far this season. Receiver Eddie Thompson's end-around run of 13 yards helped, as did quarterback Russel Hill's six yards, but they weren't enough to make Idaho State's ground game relevant against a defense that came in ranked seventh in the Big Sky.

The first-quarter absence of the senior Cornist no doubt hurt, though.

Coach John Zamberlin said Cornist sat the stanza for a team "disruption" some time this week.

Northern Colorado thrived on the ground, however, against Idaho State's conference-worst rushing defense. Its backs gained 265 yards on 52 carries, the most allowed by the Bengals this season.

At its current pace of allowing 213.5 rushing yards per game, Idaho State is set to give up 2,562 yards on the ground this 12-game season. That would be the most since 1999, when the team allowed 2,906 yards during an 11-game campaign.

Clark collared

Senior cornerback D.J. Clark left the game in the second half and did not return after sustaining what Zamberlin said was a stinger.

On the play, a Northern Colorado running back barreled into three Idaho State defenders down the right sideline, one of whom was Clark. He lay on his stomach after the play, moving little until athletic trainers got to him. After about five minutes, he rose and walked to the sidelines.

Redshirt freshman Kelvin Miller replaced him initially, though junior George Ortiz later saw time at his cornerback spot.

After the game, Clark was wearing a protective foam collar. His status for next week was not yet known.

Thompson held in check

Eddie Thompson has seen better days.

The Big Sky's leader in receptions was held to his lowest output of the season with three catches for 37 yards. Junior Jaron Taylor led the team with six grabs for 92 yards, boosting his team-leading total to 470 yards this season.

For its part, Idaho State's defense also clamped down on the pass. It held the Bears to 138 yards passing, the unit's lowest allowance of the year. The only time Idaho State has allowed fewer passing yards in Zamberlin's 17 games with the team was in the final game of 2007, when Sacramento State passed for 135 yards.

The Bengals have only intercepted one pass this year, however, compared to the 10 thrown by Hill. Idaho State's defense has finished just four seasons since 1967 with a single-digit interceptions total: 1967 (nine), 1998 (five), 2001 (nine) and 2006 (seven).