Bengals Play at No. 19/21 NAU on Saturday

Game Notes | Audio | Video | Live Stats

POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State football team begins a two-game road trip with a contest at  No. 19/21 Northern Arizona on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 5:05 (Mountain Time). Northern Arizona leads the overall series 32-17-1 and has won the last eight meetings. The Bengals last win over NAU was a 24-17 win in Pocatello on Nov. 13, 2004. The last time ISU won in Flagstaff was a 29-15 win on Oct. 20, 1984. 

Bengals vs. Ranked Opponents
The last time Idaho State defeated a ranked FCS opponent  was a 34-30 victory over No. 5 Eastern Washington on Sept. 24, 2005. Since then, the Bengals have lost their last 21 games to a ranked team.

How to Follow the Game
Fans can tune into Rock 102.5 or 930 CBS Sports Radio to listen to the game called by Jerry Miller and Tim Lewis. Live stats, video and audio are available at isubengals.com.

Where the Bengals Rank
Passing: 8th nationally and second in the Big Sky Conference: 327.3 yards a game.
Kickoff Returns: 15th nationally and second in the Big Sky Conference: 24.29 yards a return.
All-Purpose Yards: Xavier Finney, 7th in the conference at 106.67 yards a game.
Completions Per game: Justin Arias,  fifth nationally and first in the Big Sky Conference, 28.33.
Field Goals Per Game: Brendon Garcia, second nationally and first in the Big Sky Conference, 2.0
Passing Yards: Justin Arias, seventh nationally and first in the Big Sky Conference, 1,962 yards.
Passing Yards Per Game: Justin Arias, fifth nationally and first in the Big Sky Conference, 327 yards.
Points Responisible for: Justin Arias, 28th nationally and fifth in the Big Sky Conference, 86 points.
Receiving Touchdowns: Luke Austin, 10th nationally and fourth in the Big Sky Conference with six.
Receiving Yards: Cameron Richmond 41st nationally, eighth in the Big Sky Conference, 488 receiving yards. Luke Austin 53rd nationally and 10th in the Big Sky Conference, 452 yards.
Receiving Yards Per Game:  Cameron Richmond, 35th nationally and seventh in the conference at 81.3 yards per game.
Receptions Per Game:  Cameron Richmond, 16th nationally and second in the conference at 6.5. Broc Malcom is 24th nationally and sixth in the Big Sky Conference at 6.2.
Rushing Yards:  Xavier Finney, 55th nationally and sixth in the Big Sky Conference, 480 yards.
Scoring: Brendon Garcia, 34th nationally and third in the Big Sky Conference, 8.2 points a game.
Total Offense: Justin Arias, 9th nationally and second in the Big Sky Conference, 316.8 yards a game.

Tallying Up the Yards
Justin Arias threw for over 400 yards in his first two games as the starting quarterback. Arias threw for ninth most yards in program history vs. Dixie St with 439. He had 429 vs. Western State, the 10th most in program history. He has thrown for 1,962 yards on the season, completing 170 passes on 289 attempts with seven interceptions and 12 touchdown passes. He is averaging 327 yards passing a game and completing 58.8 percent of his throws.

Final Game Notes From Northern Colorado
- 3-3 is the best start since 2005. That team started 4-2.
- Three wins is the most by a Bengal team since 2007.
- Idaho State snapped a 17-game Big Sky Conference losing streak and a 21-game losing streak against Division I school.
- Justin Arias has a career-high four touchdown passes and threw for 375 yards.
- Luke Austin had a career-high 173 receiving yards and a career-high three touchdowns.
- 157 rushing yards is the third most in a game by a Bengal team since the 2009.
- Xavier Finney's 146 rushing yards is the most by a Bengal since Josh Barnett rushed for 173 yards at Northern Colorado in 2006.
- Thomas Vazorka had his first career start at left guard.
- Pat Carter had a career-high eight tackles.

Tale of the Tape

                                                             Idaho State                     Northern Arizona
Scoring                                                    24.5                                   20.5
Points Allowed Per Game                        26.2                                   25.2
First Downs                                               140                                    107
Rushing Yards                                           534                                    779
Avg. Rushing Yard Per Game                    89                                     129.8
Passing Yards Per Game                           327.3                                 215.3
Total Offense                                            416.3                                 345.2
Penalties                                                  49-470                               35-358
Punts                                                       28-1091 (39.0 avg.)             40-1681 (42.0 avg)
Time of Possession                                  30:18                                  33:44
Third Down Conversion                           40/105 38%                         28-90 31%
Fourth Down Conversion                          4/9 44%                              7-10 70%
Sacks                                                        16                                      10
Touchdowns                                              16                                      6

Garcia Climbing the Record Books
Most Field Goals Made in a Career
1- Perry Larson (1982-84)  41 (41-61)
2- James Ferrell (1994-97) 37 (37-57
3- Brendon Garcia (2010-) 35 (35-54)

Most Extra Points Made in a Career
1- James Ferrell (1994-97) 102 (102-110)
2- Perry Larson (1982-84)  83 (83-89)
3- Brendon Garcia (2010-) 77 (77-82)

Also of Note
- Luke Austin is 220 receiving yards away from breaking into the Top 10 for most receiving yards in Idaho State history.
- Xavier Finney's 37 carries against Northern Colorado was the third most by a Bengal in a game.