Aug. 28, 2003
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Pocatello, ID - The Thursday night season opener for the Bengals began with a bang as Josh Whitworth returned an interception for 75 yards and a touchdown as 10th ranked Idaho State rolled to a 54-20 win over the Montana-Western Bulldogs.
Whitworth's touchdown gave ISU a lead it would never relinquish, thanks to a steady effort from JUCO transfer quarterback Roman Ybarra, who was playing in his first game as a Bengal. The California native was an efficient 22-of-28 passing with three touchdowns and 224 yards in a little over two quarters of work.
Ybarra threw first half touchdown passes to Jermain Anderson, Brett Fowler, and to Emery Beckles, who started the game at cornerback, but also played at wide receiver and returned kickoffs and punts. The Bengal defense also scored again in the second quarter when Montana-Western's quarterback Travis Kirby stepped out of the end zone. That was set up when true freshman punter Kyle McQuown boomed a 72-yard punt that was downed by Ernie James at the 1-yard line.
After leading 40-14 at the half, the Bengals coasted from there, getting a pair of short Isaac Mitchell touchdown runs. Western added a late touchdown to close out the scoring.
The Bengals travel to Boise State next Saturday for a 6:05 pm kickoff in a game broadcast in Southeast Idaho on KIDK TV-3.
