More than 84 percent of ISU's offense is through the air.

To say that Idaho State likes to throw the ball would be to say that "The Sopranos" can be violent - it just doesn't quite convey the full story.

"They throw the ball without regard," Montana State coach Mike Kramer said Friday morning before leaving for Pocatello.

"The only time they run the ball is when they hand it to the kicker for the kickoff."

Well, not exactly, but the Bobcats' opponent this week does favor the pass by a 2.4-to-1 margin. More than 84 percent of ISU's offense is through the air.

"They just want to get in shotgun and throw the ball to three or four solid wide receivers," Kramer said. "Those guys just go up and get the ball."

Montana State (1-2 overall) could be in a bit of a bind defensively. An already inexperienced secondary has gotten younger and even more inexperienced in the last two weeks as injuries took out three-fourths of the starters.

"It's uphill a little bit for us defensively," Kramer said. "We're trying to put some redshirt freshmen on the field at corner.

"But any pass defense begins with quality pass rush. This is the first time we've faced a team that lives and dies through the air."

While Idaho State (1-3 overall, 0-1 Big Sky) can put points on the board with ease, the same can be said for its opponents.

The Bengals are allowing 40.5 points a game, including 47 last week to Eastern Washington. ISU's one win was an improbable 49-42 double-overtime comeback against Northern Colorado two weeks ago.

That's encouraging news for a Bobcat offense that showed signs of life for the first time last week at Division I-A Colorado State.

"A much improved effort," Kramer said. "We didn't really make an attempt to run the ball, the main focus has been to catch the ball and run with the ball after the catch.

"Our pass protection allowed Travis to only be sacked twice against a very good Colorado State defense."

Still, Holt Arena has not been kind to Montana State over the years. The Bobcats have lost three straight in Pocatello, last winning in 1997.

"It's been a den of horrors for the Bobcats for a while," Kramer said. "The big thing for us is to not get caught up in that."

Kramer, in his fifth season as the Bobcats' head coach, is still trying to figure out his team.

"We play a Division I-A team (Colorado State) and play our tails off; we play a Division II team (Adams State) and act like we don't even want to be out there," he said. "We don't play well with a lead - we like it as tough and as uphill as possible.

"We like the pain."

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game can be seen on Altitude Sport and Entertainment Network, Dish Network channel 410.