Game 3: Bengals Play Home Opener vs. Chadron State

Game Notes | Audio | Video | Tickets | Live Stats

POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State football team plays its 2014 home opener on Saturday, September 13, at 2:35 p.m. in Holt Arena. The game can be followed live on  Rock 102.5 and 930 CBS Sports Radio with Jerry Miller and Mark Liptak calling the action. For live stats, audio and video log onto isubengals.com.

Chadron State is 1-0 after beating Missouri S&T last week 42-25. Chadron State had 563 total yards, 212 rushing and 351 passing. Three Chadron State College football players were placed on the Preseason All-RMAC Team. They are offensive lineman Mike Lorenzo, linebacker Dylan Furrier and safety Lane Haller. In 2013 the Eagles finished 8-3 and 7-2 in league.

Idaho State leads the series 1-0. ISU beat Chadron State 20-2 at Chadron in 1949. The two teams met in 1993 in Holt Arena. ISU won the game 52-3 but was later forced to forfeit the game by the NCAA for NCAA violations.

Bengals in Home Openers
In the last 15 years, ISU is 12-3 in home openers. Its three losses came in 2009 to Central Washington, 2008 to North Dakota and in 2004 to Cal Poly. The Bengals have won their last four home openers.

Bengals Against Non-Division I Schools
In the last 15 years ISU has played 16 games against non-Division I schools. The Bengals are 15-1 during that stretch. The only loss came in 2009 to Central Washington (33-22).  Central Washington was ranked No. 5 in the country in the Division II polls. The Bengals have out scored opponents in these games 42.3-9.5.

Airing it Out
Justin Arias returns as the starting quarterback for the second straight season. He threw for 3,547 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2013. For his career he has 4,360 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He is 286 passing yards from breaking into the Top 10 for most passing yards and he is two touchdown passes away from  cracking the career Top 10 list for most passing touchdowns. Kevin McCarthy (1997-00) is ranked No. 10 in passing yards with 4,645 and in touchdowns with 31. Justin Arias has eight games of throwing for 300 yards or more in a game.

Finney Leads Running Back Core
After rushing for 868 yards in 2013, junior Xavier Finney is once again the starter at running back in 2014.  He rushed for 133 yards in the 2014 season opener at Utah, the second most yards he has rushed for in a game in his career at ISU. He has rushed for 1,377 yards in his career and he is 57 yards away from breaking into the career Top 10 list for most rushing yards.  Corky Federico  (1984-87) is currently ranked 10th with 1,433 yards.