POCATELLO- When two hours of controlled mayhem had ended, Idaho State head football coach John Zamberlin met the media with a contented smile on his face. ISU ended spring practices with Friday's annual spring game at Holt Arena, won unofficially by the offense, 45-39.

Zamberlin reflected back on the month's worth of work with the satisfaction of knowing that his program is in place and starting to improve in his second year at the helm.

"I feel good coming out of this," he said right off the bat. "I liked how hard the guys worked the past month, the competitiveness and the attitude that they showed."

Zamberlin also liked the continued development of sophomore quarterback Russel Hill, who had his third consecutive effective scrimmage. Hill completed 7 of 12 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns, and his throws, particularly on slant patterns, were tight and on target.

Hill appears to be ready to take the next step after a–freshman season spent learning on the job.

"My confidence has gone up throughout the month," he said. "I've spent a lot of time watching film and it's true: The game does start to slow down when you get a feel for what the defense is doing. I'm not overwhelmed as much anymore."

Zamberlin echoed Hill's thoughts: "Russel's had a very good spring. He took his lumps his freshman year but with all that extra work, with all that film watching, he's become a real student of the game and it's showing on the field.

Defensive back Keith Goins Jr. also had a terrific scrimmage,–getting his third interception in three scrimmages. He looks like he can be an anchor to a secondary that was torched in the Big Sky Conference last year.

Now–the Bengals–embark on their off season workout program. Four weeks of running and lifting starting June 1 will be followed by a week off.

Following, another four weeks of workouts will ensue before the returning players report in early August with the incoming freshmen joining a week later.