Oct. 23, 2004
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID --- The Idaho State University Bengals came out on top in a battle with the Hornets of Sacramento State Saturday night, winning the Homecoming Game, 29-24. The win was the first home victory of the season for the Bengals and the first conference win, along with their fourth straight Homecoming win.
The Bengals coaching staff showed an impressive playbook in the game, especially in the first half. With the ball at the Sacramento State 13-yard line after a fumbled punt, Hetherington passed to a slanting Shedrack Okoebor, who in turn found a open Sale' Key in the end zone and connected on a 13-yard pass to give ISU their first points of the game. As Ryan Slack lined up for his first career extra point attempt, the Bengals threw off the Hornets holder Jeff Davenport flipped the ball to Slack with a direct snap, who in turn rushed into the end zone for a two-point conversion. The score gave the Bengals an 8-7 lead with 6:26 left in the first quarter.
The two defenses battled back and forth in the first half, and, after a 32-yard field goal from Hornet kicker Mitch Lively with 3:42 left in the second quarter, the two teams headed into the locker rooms at the half with a 10-8 Sacramento State lead.
The second half saw a re-energized Bengal offense determined to defend their home turf. In their second drive of the second half, Hetherington connected on a 25-yard pass to Sale' Key, and followed that up with an eight-yard pass to sophomore Akilah Lacey in the end zone. A short pass to Jeff Davenport gave the Bengals their second two-point conversion of the game and a 16-10 lead.
The touchdown gave the Bengals just enough momentum to break the game open and get comfortable. On the ensueing possession, ISU's Marcell Lagrone picked a pass attempt from the Hornets' Ryan Leadingham and returned it for 25 yards and another ISU touchdown, giving the Bengals a 22-10 lead.
The remainder of the game featured a touchdown from ISU defensive lineman-turned-fullback Jermaine Horn. With the ball at the five-yard line, the Bengals turned to the 6-2, 270 pound junior, who plowed through five yards in two carries to collect his first career touchdown.
The Hornets made a valiant effort to bring the game back within reach, and came close. With just 1:22 left in the game, a Josh Barnett fumble was gathered by the Hornets' Brent Webber, who took the ball 35 yards for a touchdown, bringing the score to 29-24. A failed onside kick by Sacramento State ended their last chance at possession, and the Bengals knelt on the ball the remaining downs to secure their second win this season, the first at home. The Bengals now hold a 2-5 record overall and a 1-3 record in the Big Sky.
On getting a victory that has been so elusive the past few weeks, Coach Larry Lewis was pleased with how his team came together and fought for the win.
"I think it's always important," Lewis said. "These kids just needed to believe a little to get over it. When things are so close on the scoreboard, the difference is the attitude of the players."
Key performances for the Bengals include a career-high 102-yard rushing performance by true freshman Barnett, a career-high 74 receiving yards from another freshman running back Chris Seals, a 73-yard punt by Kyle McQuown, and a defensive effort that included five sacks and three interceptions, two from Quinton Freeman.
The Bengals will take the field again next week at the Holt Arena when they face off with Weber State at 3 p.m. The Wildcats come to Pocatello looking for their first win of the season after suffering eight straight losses.
