Idaho State Journal

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Hearts and Darts: Good 'D,' bad no-call and the return of 'Chains'
By Connor Doyle - Assistant Sports Editor

Three weeks until the next home game. That should be more than enough time to get that replay board up and running, right? Suuuurrrre.

HEART: The Idaho State defense


Quite simply, that crew didn't deserve to lose. Special props to the linebacking corps, which played out of its mind. It's a little distressing, however, that these kinds of efforts only seem to come against Montana State. On one hand, it's good to get up for the big boys. On the other hand, it's bad to flatline against everyone else.

DART: The game officials

Yeah, the zeebs usually get a disproportionate amount of flak after home losses, but these guys missed more calls than a cheap cell phone. And not just calls that should have went in ISU's favor - Ernie James got away with an obvious hold on a wide receiver right in front of a line judge. But the crew was at its worst when it meant the most for the Bengals - with ISU facing a late third-and-long, Shack Okoebor dropped a pass after being facemasked so violently his helmet was ripped off. That's 15 yards and a first down ... except for the fact that no one threw a flag. Are you kidding me? Even Oedipus could make that call.

DART: ISU clock management

We'll look past the Bengals calling all three of their first-half timeouts before the clock struck 10:00 in the first half. It's the first half, and usually it doesn't matter, like it didn't Saturday. But what went on late in the second half was inexcusable. After stuffing a third-and-3 run - which, at the most, takes 4 seconds - it took the ISU coaching staff what seemed like an eternity to call a timeout. The third-down play began at 2:52 (the clock was stopped before the play), and the clock wasn't stopped again until 2:29. That's 33 seconds! William Hung's career began and ended in less time! Just plain sloppy.

HEART: The return of Jeff Davenport

The Highland High product, who's made a name ("Chains") for himself with his propensity for making tough, first-down catches, made his first appearance of the year as a wideout after sitting out the first four games with a calf injury (he still held on kicks). Never one to disappoint, Davenport made a signature grab in the third quarter, diving over the middle for a 13-yard catch on a third-and-12.

DART: The strong left-to-right breeze in the Dubby


Gale-force winds aren't usually found inside domed arenas, but somehow one was present Saturday. That's the only possible way to explain how two of Jaret Johnson's kicks hit the Farmer's Insurance sign to the right of the post. I mean, he hit the advertisement so squarely, the bottom of the plastic ripped off its moorings. Someone close the doors at the top of the ramp already!

[BelgradeBobcat]

Funny about the refs. We were all pretty sure we (MSU) were getting homered throughout the game. Didn't see the alleged facemask, but some their spots were awful generous. I imagine it all pretty much balanced out.

[MSU01]

Definitely balanced out...MSU got screwed multiple times on pass plays with no calls on PI's or holding.

[snake]

You may also find the article at http://www.journalnet.com/articles/2004 ... orts05.txt