What Is 2016 Idaho State Bengals football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Idaho State Bengals football team represented Idaho State University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 3–8 record under head coach Paul Wulff. They competed in the Big Sky Conference and played home games at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello.

Key Facts

The 2016 Idaho State Bengals finished the season with a 3–8 overall record
Head coach Paul Wulff led the team in his fourth season at Idaho State
The Bengals played home games at the ICCU Dome, a 9,000-seat indoor stadium in Pocatello
They went 2–6 in Big Sky Conference play during the 2016 season
Quarterback Tanner Gueller started most games, throwing for 1,847 yards and 10 touchdowns

Overview

The 2016 Idaho State Bengals football team represented Idaho State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Big Sky Conference. Competing in their fourth season under head coach Paul Wulff, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3–8 overall record and a 2–6 mark in conference play.

Despite high hopes entering the season, the Bengals faced challenges on both offense and defense, failing to qualify for the FCS playoffs. Their home games were played at the ICCU Dome, an indoor facility in Pocatello, Idaho, which seats approximately 9,000 fans and provides a unique advantage in adverse weather conditions.

Season record: The team finished with a 3–8 overall record, their worst since 2012, reflecting ongoing struggles in program development.
Conference performance: In Big Sky Conference play, the Bengals went 2–6, placing them near the bottom of the 13-team league standings.
Head coach: Paul Wulff entered his fourth year as head coach in 2016, aiming to build a competitive program after previous losing seasons.
Home stadium: The ICCU Dome, formerly known as the ISU Minidome, hosted all home games and features artificial turf and a retractable roof.
Key player: Quarterback Tanner Gueller started 10 games, throwing for 1,847 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on the season.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2016 campaign included several close contests and notable performances, though the team failed to secure enough wins to become bowl-eligible or earn a playoff berth. The Bengals showed flashes of potential but were often undone by turnovers and defensive lapses.

Season opener: Idaho State lost 45–31 to Northern Colorado on September 3, 2016, in a game that set the tone for offensive struggles.
Homecoming win: On October 22, the Bengals defeated Weber State 31–28 in a dramatic comeback, marking one of only three victories.
Defensive stats: The team allowed an average of 34.5 points per game, ranking among the bottom third in the FCS defensively.
Offensive output: The Bengals averaged 22.1 points per game and 349.2 total yards, struggling with consistency in the passing game.
Rivalry game: Idaho State lost to in-state rival Idaho 45–3 on November 19, highlighting the gap between the programs.
Final game: The season concluded with a 48–14 loss to Eastern Washington, ending a six-game losing streak to close the year.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2016 Idaho State Bengals to conference peers reveals their standing within the Big Sky Conference:

h>Conference Record

Team	Overall Record	Points For	Points Against
Idaho State	3–8	2–6	243	379
Eastern Washington	8–4	7–1	406	305
Montana	5–6	4–4	312	284
Weber State	6–5	5–3	334	302
UC Davis	3–8	2–6	248	356

The Bengals ranked near the bottom in both scoring offense and defense compared to Big Sky rivals. While they matched UC Davis in overall record, Idaho State allowed more points per game and showed less offensive efficiency. The data underscores the program’s rebuilding phase during this era.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a pivotal chapter in Idaho State’s long-term football development, offering both lessons and benchmarks for future improvement. Though unsuccessful on the scoreboard, the year provided valuable experience for young players and coaching staff.

Player development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, laying groundwork for future seasons under Paul Wulff’s leadership.
Recruiting focus: The team emphasized in-state and regional talent to build a more competitive roster in subsequent years.
Stadium advantage: Playing at the ICCU Dome gave Idaho State a controlled environment, helping mitigate weather-related disruptions.
Conference parity: The Big Sky Conference’s competitive balance meant even close losses contributed to program growth.
Media exposure: Games were broadcast on ESPN3 and regional networks, increasing visibility for the Idaho State brand.
Program trajectory: The 2016 season highlighted the need for improved recruiting and staff continuity to compete consistently.

While not a standout year, the 2016 Idaho State Bengals season remains a reference point in the program’s ongoing efforts to achieve sustained success in FCS football.