Bengals Post First Big Sky Shutout in 22 Years with 34-0 Whitewash of Weber State

Oct. 26, 2002

Box Score

Pocatello, ID---Idaho State posted their first Big Sky shutout since 1980 as the defense forced five turnovers, including a school record-tying three picks by freshman Quinton Freeman, as the 20th ranked Bengals rolled to a 34-0 victory over Weber State.

The win was the fourth consecutive for the Bengals (5-2, 4-1 Big Sky), and it broke a six-game losing streak to the Wildcats. It was only ISU's second win over Weber State (2-5, 0-4) in the last 18 meetings. The game was also ISU's first Big Sky shutout since a 17-0 win over Montana in 1980.

Idaho State offense got into gear as well, totaling 504 yards of offense, led by Doug Baughman, who had a near perfect evening. Baughman was 26-of-31 (including starting out 15-for-16) with four touchdowns, no interceptions, and 320 yards passing. Three of those touchdowns were caught by Sale' Key, who racked up seven catches for a team-leading 109 yards. The Bengals all told picked up 353 yards through the air and 151 on the ground, including 98 yards by Isaac Mitchell, who moved into the career top ten list with 1,358 yards.

Defensively, Idaho State had four interceptions, including a record-tying three by Quinton Freeman. For the freshman, he now has five on the season, tied for most by in ISU freshman in school history. Na'Jai Rankin also had an interception, and Ernie James forced a fumble. Even wide receiver Brett Fowler got into the act, blocking a punt and returning it 28 yards to the Weber State six-yard line.

Shedrack Okoebor (9) and Doug Baughman (5) celebrate their first quarter touchdown

The win for Idaho State, coupled with Montana's 24-21 squeaker over Portland State, puts Idaho State safely in second place behind 3-0 Montana. The only other Big Sky team over .500 in the league is Northern Arizona, at 3-2, after their three-point win against Montana State.

The game was witnessed by 10,419, ISU's largest crowd since 1995. It also meant that head coach Larry Lewis and 170 of his friends will donate $104.19 to the Southeast Idaho Food bank, a total donation of $17,816.49, and sicnce each dollar actually buys over $10 in product, the food bank will be able to purchase nearly $200,000 of food for needy families for the holiday season.