Nov. 3, 2007
Final Stats
Ogden, UT --- And the streak continues. Idaho State, despite a huge fourth quarter rally attempt in which the Bengals scored 20 points, Idaho State remained winless in Ogden since 1984 as they allowed 21 fourth quarter points, dropping a wild 52-37 game at Stewart Stadium. Idaho State had a chances, but three turnovers in the final 2:50 of the game doomed ISU.
The Bengals dropped to 3-6 on the season, and now face one of the nation's top teams as Montana comes to Holt Arena for senior day. The Grizzlies are 9-0 overall, 6-0 in the conference, and they will look to clinch the outright Big Sky Conference title. Montana has clinched a tie for the title and they have earned the Big Sky's automatic berth into the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
The Bengals were forced to comeback in the second half after another disastrous second quarter in which Weber State outscored the Bengals 21-0. ISU has now been outscored in the second quarter of their six losses 121-20. Up 10-0 at the end of the first quarter due to a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by D.J. Clark, ISU saw their lead go up in smoke.
The Wildcats scored three touchdowns in the period, all off the feet of Trevyn Smith. First, he took a screen pass 23 yards for a score, and then with 3:28 left in the half, Smith scored on a 9-yard run. Then after a three-and-out, Smith scored with just 21 seconds left in the half from a yard out on four-and-goal for a 21-10 lead.
After Weber State pushed the lead to 31-10, Idaho State mounted a regular occurance for them as they made a valiant comeback effort. JD Ponciano started it with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, ISU's first since the 1998 season. Just 2:39 into the fourth quarter, Clink Knickrehm went over from a yard out on four down to cut the lead to 31-24 and then the fireworks started.
Tim Toone hauled in a 47-yard pass from Cameron Higgins to push the lead back to 38-24, but ISU answered as Eddie Thompson scored from 14-yards out with 9:12 to go to make it 38-31. The catch was part of an 11-catch, 145-yard effort for Thompson. However, after the kickoff, Weber State needed just three plays and 57 seconds to bump it back to 14 points as Smith took a third-down pass and raced past everyone for a 59-yard score.
Once again, the Bengals clawed back, with Clyde Logan hauling in a Russel Hill throw for an 11-yard touchdown, and ISU trailed 45-37. After ISU forced a punt, the Bengals set up shop at their own 4-yard line, but on the first play, Hill, who threw for a career-high 349 yards, fumbled on a sack for the second time in the game, and the Wildcats recovered, setting up Smith's fifth touchdown of the game, this from three yards out, and that would end the scoring at 52-37.
The Bengals managed to go down the field again, but Hill was picked off at the 1-yard line by Scotty Goodloe. Still Weber was forced to punt, but Kenyon Blue fumbled the ball away with 22 seconds left, ending the game.
Hill was 20-of-38 passing for 349 yards and two touchdowns. Along with Thompson, Clyde Logan had a solid night with four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Josh Barnett was relegated to the spectator's role for the comeback attempt, but he did have 56 yards rushing and one catch for 31 yards. Barnett now needs 121 yards to become ISU's all-time record holder. Terrence Calloway led the way defensively with 16 tackles, and Ryan Phipps had 15.
For the Wildcats, Cameron Higgins had his second straight outstanding day, throwing for a career-high 432 yards and four touchdowns. Trevyn Smith had 115 yards rushing on 33 carries, but he did add 120 yards on five catches, and he had five touchdowns combined. Tim Toone hauled in two touchdowns and had 161 yards on six catches. Ty Sparrow led the defense with nine tackles.
NOTES: Ponciano's kickoff return tied for the 6th longest in school history ... Idaho State is the only FCS school to have three 100-yard interception returns in the last 10 years, and it was ISU's first 100-yarder on the road ... Clark has three career touchdowns, and all have come in games broadcast on Altitude TV ... Weber State's Bryant Eteuati and Trevyn Smith combined for 495 all-purpose yards.
