ISU football returns to Holt Arena Saturday as Vander Waal gets sidelined 4-6 weeks

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - A new era at Holt Arena begins Saturday when the Idaho State Bengals begin their home schedule against the Central Arkansas Bears, but ISU will take the new turf field without its starting quarterback.

Idaho State QB Tyler Vander Waal suffered a broken collarbone in Saturday's loss at San Diego State, according to Head Coach Charlie Ragle, and he is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Vander Waal was injured in the 1st quarter of that defeat, and it is the same injury he suffered in the 2021 campaign.

Ragle said it's a tough blow for both Vander Waal and the Bengals.

"The kid's been through a lot," Ragle said. "And you hurt for a guy like that that's worked to get himself back under a new coaching staff."

But the Bengals move forward to the home opener, and Ragle said he wants to see a blackout and a big crowd Saturday.

"We're going to wear all black," Ragle said. "We want it to be a hostile jungle environment that the opponent has to play in and we want to make Holt one of the worst places to play in the FCS. We need southeast Idaho, we need Pocatello, we need everybody to come out and support these young men because I think they've earned it, and I think they're going to continue to earn it this Saturday."

Kickoff for the home opener at Holt Arena on Saturday is set for 1:00 p.m. MT.