Sept. 6, 2003
Boise, ID --- Apparently Boise State's football team took offense to not being ranked as the Broncos rolled up 587 yards of offense and limited Idaho State to just 152 as BSU shut out the Bengals 62-0 in front of sellout crowd of 30,664 at Bronco Stadium.
The loss was ISU's first shutout loss in 64 games, dating back to October 11, 1997 when Montana defeated ISU 48-0 at Holt Arena. The 62-point differential was also the third largest margin of defeat in school history.
Idaho State's defense kept the Bengals in the game early, holding the Broncos to a field goal on the opening possession. In the second quarter down 10-0, the defense forced a turnover on downs, and then on the next drive, Josh Whitworth on a third down play, sacked Ryan Dinwiddie, forcing a fumble that he recovered.
However, Boise State wore out the ISU defense as the Bengals didn't register a first down until there was less then seven minutes left in the half. The Broncos average starting field position for the game was the BSU 48, and Boise State started six drives on ISU's half of the field.
The Bengals only crossed midfield two times, and never got past the 42-yard line. True freshman punter Kyle McQuown got a workout, tying the school record with 14 punts (Steve Beller vs. Idaho in 1973), but even ISU's normally reliable punt coverage suffered as the Broncos totaled 184 yards in punt returns, giving an ISU a net punting average of just 27.6 yards. ISU was leading the nation in net punting this year, and has led I-AA the last three years running.
The #10 Bengals return to action against new I-AA foe Northern Colorado, who were 44-3 winners over Division II Western State of Gunnison, Colorado. Idaho State has now dropped 17 of their last 18 road openers.
