Oct. 12, 2002
Box Score
Pocatello, ID---At long last, the ball is bouncing the right way...the Bengal way.
Idaho State survived a close call in the end zone on the game's final play, preserving a hard-fought come from behind 18-14 win over Montana State, ISU's third consecutive win, one that pushed them to 4-2 overall, and 3-1 in the Big Sky. The Bengals, who were ranked #27 coming in, are looking for their highest ranking since the 1996 season.
On the game's final play, Travis Lulay threw a fade pass in the left corner of the end zone to Junior Adams, who bobbled the ball, eventually catching it as it rested on his shoulder pad, but he was out of bounds. Lulay, a true freshman, was making his first career start.
The Bengals came back from a 14-0 first quarter deficit for the second consecutive home game. Montana State (2-4, 0-1) scored on their first two possessions. Lulay hit Aaron Hill for a 47-yard scoring pass, and after Jeremy Hershey hit the upright from 51 yards, Corey Hill pulled in a swing pass and went 63 yards to make it 14-0.
ISU answered that touchdown 31 seconds later as Brett Fowler caught a deep slant and outraced everyone to the end zone for a 63-yard touchdown. Hershey's kick was blocked, leaving it at 14-6, where it stayed until the fourth quarter.
Hershey atoned for another missed field goal with a 46-yarder to make it 14-9. After a punt, Brett Fowler caught a nine-yard pass, and after a measurement, it was second and inches. With everyone in the building thinking long pass, Isaac Mitchell went off tackle and untouched from 58-yards out into the end zone, ISU's five consecutive touchdown from their own side of the field.
The Bengals were stopped on the two-point conversion, making it 15-14. Hershey then boomed a career-long 51-yard field goal to make it 18-14 with 2:55 left.
Montana State began their final drive at their own 20, and used 14 plays to go 76 yards. On the drive, Lulay looked unfreshman-like in converting a pair of fourth downs, including a fourth-and-seven to Junior Adams, and a fourth-and-three with 29 seconds left to the ISU 14-yard line. From there, Lulay spiked the ball, and then completed a pass to Aaron Hill with 10 seconds left to the four, where the clock was stopped for a measurement. After that, the clock ran, and Lulay threw his final pass to Adams.
Notes: Idaho State has allowed only three points this season in the fourth quarter ... ISU was 0-2 when trailing after three quarters, and Montana State was 2-0 when they lead ... Idaho State has scored five straight touchdowns on plays on 58 yards or longer ...Isaac Mitchell had his fifth career 100-yard rushing game, and Brett Fowler had his third career 100-yard receiving game ... Hershey's 51-yard field goal was a career long ... Idaho State has recorded 14 sacks in the last three games ... Jeremy Mowe's 1.5 sacks were the first of his career ... Mark Weivoda blocked his ninth career kick in the second quarter, getting just enough of a 41-yard attempt. The kick hit the crossbar, bounced about 10 feet in the air, and fell in the end zone ... Ryan Johnson of Montana State rushed for 119 yards, making him Montana State's all-
