Despite a blowout loss in Week 0, Charlie Ragle says there’s plenty of optimism at ISU

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - One quarter made the difference in Idaho State's 52-21 loss Saturday at UNLV to open its season, as the Bengals allowed 35 points in that frame alone.

But for ISU, even with much to improve on from that quarter alone, Head Coach Charlie Ragle said there are certainly positives, especially from the 2nd half.

"Even after watching the tape, (I'm) really pleased with how hard our guys played," Ragle said. "And it would have been very easy for them in the second half to easily mail it in. But they didn't, they kept playing, and that's a testament to where we're going as a program."

The Rebels scored all 35 points in the span of nine minutes and 46 seconds, but aside from that sequence, Idaho State outscored UNLV 21-17 across the rest of the game.

The Bengals have a bye week this week before a showdown in San Diego against the San Diego State Aztecs Sep. 10th.