Nov. 15, 2008
Final Stats
Missoula, MT --- Idaho State's much maligned defense turned in their best effort of the season, but a poor final 5:14 of the second quarter, punctuated by a 94-yard punt return and two short field ultimately doomed the Bengals, as they lost at #5 Montana 29-10 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Kyle Blum was solid in his first career start, going 16-of-34 for a career-high 246 yards. ISU trailed 2-0 at the end of the first quarter, but after a fumble recovery near midfield, Blum hit Eddie Thompson on the first play for a long 43-yard touchdown, and ISU led 7-2. ISU however couldn't push that lead any further, and after a roll punt from midfield, Marc Mariani caught Jon Vanderwielen's punt at the six, made two Bengals miss, and then hit a seam, going 94 yards for a 9-7 lead with 5:14 left.
On the next drive, Blum was picked off and Montana set up shop at the ISU 34, and scored on a Cole Bergquist draw two plays later for a 15-7 lead. Then, a quick three and out and a short punt gave Montana excellent field position again, this time at the ISU 31, and Montana scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Palmer in the very corner of the end zone and it was 22-7 at the half.
The Bengals allowed just 136 yards to Montana in the half, and ISU picked up a field goal on the opening possession of the second half, but ISU couldn't muster any more points until after the Griz picked up a fourth quarter score on a Chase Reynolds one-yard dive with 9:45 left.
ISU tried to answer that, but Blum's desperation pass into the end zone was picked off with 6:32 to go, and it was pretty much academic from there.
The Bengals allowed 136 yards on a pair of late drives after Amir Owens was carted off the field as a precaution after a neck injury, but ISU's defense was stout all day, sacking Cole Bergquist four times, and allowing just 97 yards passing. Montana didn't even hit the 300-yard mark until under three minutes left in the game. ISU did outgain Montana 352-347, although 66 of those yards came at the end of the game when the Griz opted not to take a knee with ISU out of timeouts and under two minutes left.
The Bengals now head home at 0-11 on the season, but with a renewed sense of hope after their solid performance against the #5 team in the nation. ISU will host Sacramento State on Senior Day at 3:05 pm at Holt Arena, as ISU will say goodbye to 17 seniors, including D.J. Clark, who will set an ISU record with his 45th consecutive start, and all-time leading receiver Eddie Thompson.
NOTES: Thompson caught eight passes for 120 yards, his seventh 100-yard game, tying for second all-time at ISU, behind only Shawn Beals, who had eight ... ISU's touchdown was only the second all-year after a takeaway, after ISu scored on a drive that started in the red zone after a Phillip Arias pick at Eastern Washington ... Jerrett Huk missed a 53-yard field goal just short in the second quarter ... the safety for Montana was the fourth allowed by ISU, a school record, and the seventh combined, also a school record ... ISU had a net punting average of just 12.6 yards per kick ... Clark's pick gives him 14 in his career, meaning he would need three to tie the all-time ISU record of 17 by Trevor Bell ... ISU rushed for 106 yards for the game ... the teams were just 4-for-8 in the red zone ... the 11 losses ties a record for most losses in a season, with the 1979 and 1988 teams that went 0-11.
