Sept. 19, 2009
Final Stats
Ogden, UT --- Idaho State put forth their best effort of the season, but it wasn't enough as penalties and a big second quarter were too much to overcome as the Weber State Wildcats defeated Idaho State 38-17 in Ogden, keeping ISU winless in Stewart Stadium since 1984. Idaho State struggled to overcome three turnovers, another blocked punt, and 15 penalties.
The Bengals opened the game well, scoring on their first two drives of the game, a 34-yard rainbow from Kyle Blum to Jaron Taylor and a four-yarder from Blum to Bryant Ward. Weber could only answer with a Cody Nakamura 1-yard touchdown pass from Cameron Higgins and ISU led 14-7 after one.
ISU looked to be driving in the second, but Blum's pass to JD Ponciano was intercepted by Beau Hadley, and that woke up Weber State's dormant offense. Higgins connected on that drive to Tim Toone from 10 yards out, and then Higgins hit Bo Bolen with 6:07 left to give Weber State a 21-14 lead, and they wouldn't relinquish it.
ISU was down just 24-14 at the half after the defense made a pair of stands after a blocked punt and a short field, allowing just a 22-yard field goal by Mike Snoy. After ISU kicked off to start the second half, the defense forced a three-and-out, and ISU's offense quickly went on the move. Clint Knickrehm reeled off a 20-yard run to move the ball quickly into Weber State territory, but on the ensuing play, Stew Tracy caught a shovel pass but fumbled after a hit by Adam Saga-White, and WSU recovered. It took them four plays to go 57 yards, with Bengal-killer Trevyn Smith scoring from 20 yards out to make it 31-17. That score held until early in the fourth quarter, when Jarrett Huk kicked a 52-yard field goal to make it 31-17 with 12:21 left.
ISU's defense then forced another three-and-out to give ISU the ball back, but the Bengals had to punt it right back, and WSU put the game away with a 71-yard touchdown drive that ended with Smith's 12th career touchdown against the Bengals. Weber State then tacked on a touchdown at the end of the game with 2:19 to go after connecting on a first-down pass to the ISU 1-yard line.
The Bengals were able to muster some offense after a pair of games against BCS teams in Arizona State and Oklahoma. ISU gained 379 yards total offense, including 145 on the ground. Blum went 19-for-39 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions for 234 yards, but after a first quarter in which he was 8-for-10 for 158 yards and two touchdowns, he finished 11-for-29 for 76 yards and two picks.
Defensively, Phillip Arias made the most of his first start at middle linebacker, recording a career-best 16 tackles, and A.J. Storms added a career-best 15. As a team Idaho State racked up 100 tackles as Weber State held the ball for 38:01 of the game. ISU converted 5-of-12 third downs as well, but had just a 23.4 yard net punting average.
The Bengals now get to head home after three straight road games to take on Central Washington, who is ranked #5 in Division II. The Wildcats are John Zamberlin's old team, and they are 4-0 after a 42-10 win over Azusa Pacific.
NOTES: Idaho State had more third down conversions on their second scoring drive (3) than during the first two games (2) .... ISU's lead at the end of the first quarter of 14-7 was their largest since Nov. 3, 2007 when ISU led 10-0 at the end of one in Ogden ... ISU suffered a third blocked punt in three games in the second quarter ... Ben Laporta led ISU with 55 yards on five carries ... Jaron Taylor had six catches for 79 yards ... .Isaiah Burel missed the game with an injured leg.
