CSC’s football team loses close game in Idaho
The Eagles drop to 1-1 after a tough 39-34 loss on the road at Idaho State University, Pocatello.
“We struggled with consistency against Idaho State,” Sam Parker, senior of Harrison, said. “The first half, we were able to move the ball but couldn’t put together consistent drives to put points on the scoreboard. By the second half, our defense and special teams really came through and helped build some momentum. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to finish on top.”
The Eagles scored first when Robert Jackson, junior of Savannah, Georgia, ran three yards for a touchdown. The Eagles lost momentum after that. The Bengals scored five more times before CSC would find the end zone in the third quarter.
“We definitely struggled in the first three quarters,” Dylan Furrier, junior of Tucson, Arizona, said. “It was very frustrating. We won the fourth quarter but it was too little too late.”
The Eagles outscored the Bengals, 21-0, in the fourth quarter but it still wasn’t enough to push the Eagles to the top.
Quarterback Jonn McLain, senior of Chadron, threw for 223 yards on 24 completed passes, including two touchdowns. Michael Madkins, senior of Sacramento, California, ran for 115 on 21 carries. Leading the receivers, Kyle Vinich, junior of Casper, Wyoming, scored once, while catching eight passes for 79 yards.
On the other side of the ball, Furrier led CSC with 15 tackles and Isaac Holscher, senior of Scottsbluff, and Lane Haller, senior of Gordon, tallied 13 and 12, respectively.
Focus changes this week as the team prepares for Colorado School of Mines, Golden. The game kicks off at noon at Elliott Field.
Last year, the Eagles lost to the Orediggers, 23-0.
“Last year was a disappointing loss to Mines,” Furrier said. “And this week we are going to focus and get better at the things we need to improve on, just like any other week. We need to focus on consistency. As for the defense, responding better to adversity is a huge point of emphasis this week.”
The game against Mines opens up conference play for the Eagles.
“This game is an important one,” Parker said. “We start conference play against Mines, so from now on every game is a ‘must win.’ Last year, we felt that our own errors lost us the game. Our coaches have a great game plan for us this week. I’m excited to face off against them again. Colorado School of Mines is always a tough opponent.”
This game is also part of Family Day.
“Family day has always been an exciting time for me because I get to see my family as well as the family members of other teammates,” Parker said. “I enjoy the opportunity to have them watch us perform.”
“As for family day, it is a pretty special weekend for everyone,” Furrier said. “A lot of guys’ parents aren’t able to go to/watch every game so to be able to play in front of your family is very special.
“Many of us have played football for a long time and really owe a lot of the success to our parents,” he said. “From driving us to practice, picking us up, making us food, doing our laundry, etc., our parents have really helped us get to where we’re at right now and to show them how we appreciate what they’ve done is a great feeling.”