Sept. 21, 2002
Box Score
Missoula, MT---Montana held the ball for the final 8:05 of the game, and scored the only touchdown on a David Gober second quarter run as the top-ranked Grizzlies held off Idaho State 13-9 in a defensive battle.
The Bengals amassed 299 yards of offense and reeled off several big plays, but Idaho State could not score a touchdown despite having five first-and-goal situations, including getting inside the five four times. Jeremy Hershey provided the Bengals with all their scoring on three field goals. The game marked the first time since Larry Lewis became the head coach that ISU didn't score touchdown in a game, and it was only the second time in 36 games that ISU failed to reach double-digits.
The Bengals opened the game with a flurry, connecting on a flea flicker to Brett Fowler that traveled 60 yards down to the six-yard line. Mike Jones then caught a pass and looked to hit the pylon for a touchdown, but his foot stepped out at the 1-yard line and ISU settled for the first of three Hershey field goals. After Montana hit their own field goal to knot the game, they scored the only touchdown after John Edwards delivered a long pass to Jon Talmage that covered 45 yards to the 2-yard line. Edwards just got the pass off before being hit by Mark Weivoda.
Two plays later Gober scored to make it 10-3, where it stayed until the third quarter, when Chris Snyder hit a field goal for a 13-3 lead. ISU then kicked two more field goals from close range to make it 13-9, but Montana held the ball for 12:17 of the final quarter, with the Bengals only to manage seven plays and nine yards in the quarter.
Doug Baughman threw for 241 yards on 15-of-27 passing, and Isaac Mitchell was his steady self with 80 yards rushing. Edwin Thompson led ISU with four catches, and Bart Brooks tallied 12 tackles. The Bengals recorded a pair of sacks and seven tackles for a loss against the defending national champions.
Idaho State returns to the familiar confines of Holt Arena for the first time in a month on Saturday as they battle Sacramento State at 6:35 pm on Hall of Fame Night.
