Bengals release fall practice schedule

Southeast Idaho is in the middle of a stretch of record-breaking and near record-breaking hot temperatures, but the first indication that fall is just around the corner took place Friday afternoon when the Idaho State football team released its fall camp practice schedule.

The first practice is scheduled for Thursday August 1 at 4 p.m. All practices are open to the public and they’ll be held either inside the ICCU Dome or the ICCU practice field on the north end.

It’s year two for head coach Cody Hawkins who won three games − all in the Big Sky Conference − in his first year at the helm. But the Bengals were also in four other games in the 4th quarter with a realistic chance to win, which was a big change from the previous few seasons.

His team has been working out all summer with conditioning and drills to get ready for the 2024 season, which begins Aug. 31 at Oregon State. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. (MDT).

Last year Hawkins’ club was young and inexperienced, but a lot of those players saw playing time, and that figures to pay dividends this year. Sixty-one letterwinners return to go along with 20 transfers and 36 freshmen. Of the 20 transfers, 11 are from Division I schools.

Optimism is high among the fan base. Hawkins’ upbeat personality and willingness to engage with fans and media, has made him a favorite in the community.

Idaho State is looking for its first winning season since going 6-5 in 2018. It went 5-3 in the Big Sky Conference that year.

The Bengals’ fall practice schedule is listed down below.

Week 1

Aug. 1: Practice, 4 p.m.

Aug. 2: Rookies, 10-11 a.m.; Full team practice, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Aug. 3: Practice, 9:30 a.m.

Week 2

Aug. 5: Practice, 4 p.m.

Aug. 6: Rookies, 10-11 a.m.; Full team practice, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Aug. 7: Practice, 9:30 a.m.

Aug. 8: Practice, 4 p.m.

Aug. 9: Rookies, 10-11 a.m.; Full team practice, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Aug. 10: Practice, 9:30 a.m.

Week 3

Aug. 12: Practice, 4 p.m.

Aug. 13: Rookies, 10-11 a.m.; Full team practice, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Aug. 14: Practice, 4 p.m.

Aug. 15: Practice, 9:30 a.m.

Aug. 16: Practice, 9:15 a.m.

Aug. 17: Scrimmage, 1 p.m.

Week 4

Aug. 20: Practice, 8:15 a.m.

Aug. 21: Practice, 8:15 a.m.

Aug. 22: Practice, 7:30 a.m.

Aug. 23: Practice, 9:15 a.m.

Aug. 24: Scrimmage, 2:30 p.m.

Week 5 — Game Week

Aug. 27: Practice, 8:15 a.m.

Aug. 28: Practice, 8:15 a.m.