Nov. 22, 2008
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID --- After a season in which most Bengals would rather not remember, no one associated with the program will ever forget the 2008 finale. Kyle Blum threw for 342 yards, and senior Kenyon Blue picked up 250 all-purpose yards, including a 16-yard run in overtime as Idaho State defeated Sacramento State 36-33 in overtime to end their 15-game losing streak, and sending the program into the offseason on the highest of highs.
Idaho State led most of the way, but things looked bad when Bryan Hilliard scored from 10 yards out with just 51 seconds left, and then got a two-point conversion to make it 30-27 Hornets, but ISU stormed back. First, Kenyon Blue took a kickoff seven yards deep in the end zone and nearly broke it, getting all the way to the ISU 43. After a holding penalty, Edsel Logan caught a first down pass into Sacramento State territory. Kelvin Krosch then caught a ball in traffic over the middle to get ISU to the Hornet 29, and that was followed by a quick 4-yarder to Isaiah Burel, setting up Mike Ramos for a 42-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds left, which he hit for his third field goal of the game.
In overtime, ISU held Sacramento State to a 22-yard field goal to open the frame from Juan Gamboa before ISU turned to Blue. After a one-yard gain to open ISU's possession, Blue raced up the middle just short of the 15, setting up a third-and-inches. Blue then took a handoff, went around the right side, and dove into the end zone, ending ISU's season long frustration, and sending the crowd of 4,814 into euphoria.
The game was easily ISU's best of the season, taking the lead in the first quarter on Blue's first touchdown of the game, a 6-yard run that answered Sacramento State's opening drive touchdown. ISU however hit their extra point, which the Hornets suffered from a bad snap, giving ISU a 7-6 lead.
In the second, Hilliard gave the Hornets the lead again with his second touchdown of the game, a 1-yard run, but ISU answered right back when Clint Knockrehm barreled in from two yards out.
ISU tacked on a field goal before the half for a 17-13 lead, and on the opening possession of the second half, ISU went to the sandlot play book, as the Bengals pulled out the old double-reverse flea-flicker, and Blum hit Blue in stride for a 54-yard touchdown.
Up 24-16 to enter the fourth, Hilliard scored his third touchdown, but was stopped on the two-point conversion, as ISU's lead was preserved at 24-22. ISU then got a Ramos 39-yard field goal to make it 27-22 before Hilliard's fourth touchdown that set up the dramatic ending.
Blum was superb in just his second career start, throwing for a career-high 342 yards on 16-of-31 passing with the one touchdown. Blue was everywhere for ISU, getting a career-high 111 yards on the ground, and then catching two passes for 57 yards, returning two punts for 20 yards, and two kickoffs for 62, giving him 250 all-purpose yards.
ISU racked up 525 yards of offense, easily their best offensive effort of the season, and their most points this season as well. Defensively, the Bengals picked allowed Hornet quarterback Jason Smith to throw for just 99 yards as he suffered a miserable day, going just 11-for-27 with an interception. Hilliard was tough to deal with for the Bengals, blitzing ISU's defense with 271 yards and four touchdowns.
NOTES: ISU really opened the play book, as Evan Dietrich-Smith caught a pass from Eddie Thompson on a tackle-eligible pass, as he was uncovered on the line ... Jon Vanderwielen averaged 46.2 on four punts ... D.J. Clark intercepted a pass to end regulation, giving him five on the season, and 15 for his career, good for a tie for third all-time in ISU history ... the Bengals rushed for 178 yards, their most since gaining 115 against Boise State in the season opener ... Ramos was 3-for-4 on field goals, missing from 42 when the ball was tipped at the line ... JD Ponciano broke ISU's career record for kickoff return yardage in the first quarter ... Blum technically is a junior, but he should get his sophomore year back, after playing just one series and then getting injured for the rest of the year ... Ryan Phipps finished the season with 102 tackles.
