Sept. 4, 2004
Final Stats
San Diego, CA --- San Diego State burst out of the gate, scoring 21 points in the opening 5:55, including a touchdown on their first offensive play from scrimmage, in defeating Idaho State 38-21 in the season opener for both programs.
The Bengals apparently needed to get out the early jitters in playing before a near packed house at Qualcomm Stadium, home of the NFL's San Diego Chargers and Super Bowl XXXVII. After the opening kickoff, Micha Franklin reeled off a 67-yard run for a 7-0 lead just 14 seconds into the game.
The Bengals turned it over on their first possession when Kirk Morrison deflected a Mark Hetherington pass into the arms of Heath Farwell. Four plays later Robert Olson caught a 10-yard touchdown and it was 14-0 just 2:34 into the game. Hetherington would go on to throw for 300 yards exactly (his sixth career-such game) on a career-high 34 completions and 62 attempts.
SDSU scored again at 9:55 on a short touchdown run by Brandon Bornes to make it 21-0, but from there, Idaho State held tough.
The Bengals moved the ball in the first half but had nothing to show for it. Hetherington fumbled on a sack inside the SDSU 25, ISU missed on fourth-and-1 at the SDSU 21, and Jaret Johnson's 37-yard field goal at the end of the half was blocked. However, the Bengals outscored the Aztecs 21-17 over the final 54:05 of the game.
The Bengals, down 38-0, finally got on the board when Sale' Key, who caught a career-high nine passes for 90 yards, hauled in a 9-yard score with 5:42 left in the third quarter. Key earlier in the contest set an Idaho State record when he recorded a catch in his 28th straight game, breaking Greg Smith's old record of 27 set from 1977-79. The Bengals made it 38-14 when Dane Simmons converted on a third-and-9 for an 18-yard score, breaking four tackles in the process. Matt Hagler capped the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run.
NOTES ... Idaho State allowed 24 first quarter points to the Aztecs, equaling the most allowed in the modern era. The 24 points tied the previous record for most points allowed in an opening quarter when back in 1995 the Bengals allowed three touchdowns and a field goal to North Texas on the way to a 41-38 loss ... Several Bengals made their debuts, including Kenyon Blue who played as a true freshman, debuting in the first quarter. The list of other rookie debuts for freshman included Anthony Melvin, Chris Seals, Matt Hagler, Shawn Oram, Jon Winn, and Hunter Sims ... Dane Simmons surpassed his season total for receptions in the first half alone when he caught three passes. Last season he caught two for 21 yards.
