Nov. 13, 2004
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID -- A pivotal third quarter changed the momentum drastically Saturday night as the Bengals overcame a 17-0 deficit to beat the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona, 24-17. The win ends the Big Sky schedule for the Bengals, giving them a 2-5 record in the conference. They are 3-7 overall heading into next week's season finale against Southern Utah in Cedar City.
The Lumberjacks were able to put together big plays in the first half, including a 56-yard touchdown run on a reverse from Roger Robinson, a 51-yard field goal from Paul Ernster and a three-yard touchdown pass from Jason Murrietta to Aaron Walls.
But, despite being down 17-0 at home in the first 21 minutes of the game, the Bengals had life breathed into them when converted running back David Beverly intercepted a Murrietta pass and returned it for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Going into the half, the score was 17-7.
"We just challenged the kids," Coach Larry Lewis said. "It was up to them. As far as a half of football, that was one of the worst we've played on offense. In the second half, our energy went up and we stuck together."
The Bengals came out in the second half with energy and momentum despite a first half that included just one first down, 34 yards passing and 50 yards of total offense.
ISU used two rushing touchdowns and a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter to take a 24-17 lead, one that they wouldn't relinquish.
"I want to give our defense in the first half for keeping us in the ballgame," Lewis said. "To get us out of the first half and having only given up 17 points was huge for us. Second half, all of our kids played together, played with emotion and played with energy. It was a great way for our seniors to go out at home and it was great for our young kids to see that, if we stick together, we can win."
The first rushing touchdown came on a 1-yard plunge from defensive back Jermaine Horn. After Ryan Slack's first career field goal from 20 yards out, ISU again got close to the goal line, but on a fake up the middle to Horn, senior quarterback Mark Hetherington scored on a 2-yard naked bootleg for the winning points at 24-17.
The win didn't came easy though, as Horn fumbled at the NAU 1-yard line with 5:58 to go. NAU took over at their two, but had to punt the ball away with just over three minutes left, but ISU was called for 12 men on the field, giving NAU a first down and the ball at ISU's 43. NAU then got a pass interference call on four and four to again keep the drive alive, but Ernie James picked off Murietta in the end zone with 45 seconds left to seal it.
Despite the poor first half, the Bengals finished with 234 yards passing, 89 yards rushing, three interceptions on defense, and, most importantly, the win. Mark Hetherington threw for 215 yards and included a rushing touchdown, Jermaine Horn rushed for his third touchdown this season, most on the team, and Shedrack Okoebor tallied 88 yards on receptions.
The game was the last home game of the season, and the twelve seniors were honored prior to the game in what would be their last game action at Holt Arena. The regular season finale will be next Saturday at the Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah when they face off with Southern Utah at 3 p.m.
