Bengals offense unable to generate much against Broncos

Idaho State’s typically high-powered offense struggled a second straight week, finding few openings in the Boise State defense Friday.

The Bengals were blanked in the 52-0 loss, picking up 298 yards, only 36 on the ground. They had 242 yards in a 34-14 loss last Saturday against Portland State. Idaho State finished No. 2 in the Football Championship Subdivision last season in total offense, averaging 562 yards per game.

Boise State had not posted a shutout since Dec. 3, 2011, when the Broncos beat New Mexico 45-0. Idaho State was last held scoreless Sept. 21, 2013, in a 56-0 loss at Washington.

Even when Idaho State threatened to score, it just couldn’t quite find a way to get on the board. Sophomore kicker Zak Johnson missed a 26-yard field goal 6 seconds before halftime, trailing 21-0, but a Boise State penalty kept the drive alive at the Broncos’ 4-yard line. However, two incomplete passes ensued, continuing the scoreless stretch.

Johnson had a 46-yard attempt blocked on the second drive of the third quarter, then the Bengals were stuffed on a fourth-and-1 at the Boise State 35-yard line 31 seconds into the fourth quarter. They also were stopped on a fourth down at the Boise State 41 on the next drive.

“Bad coaching from me; we had a bad plan on how we finish drives,” Idaho State coach Mike Kramer said. “I think the plays that were called were inadequate for us to finish drives and that’s on me.”

Senior wide receiver Madison Mangum, a Timberline High graduate, had seven catches for 98 yards in the game for Idaho State.

This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Bengals offense unable to generate much against Broncos."