Gallery: (10-14-2023) Football vs Eastern Washington
POCATELLO, Idaho – Down 41-14 with 1:48 to play in third quarter, attendees started flowing out of Holt Arena, what they missed, was one of the greatest comebacks in Idaho State Football History.
The Idaho State 'Throwin Idahoans' defeated the #22 Eastern Washington Eagles 42-41 in Holt Arena. The Bengals came back from a 27-point deficit with just 17 minutes to play in the contest.
Headed into the game, there was a feeling in the air with the Bengals. During warmups there was a focus and determination among the players and the Bengals were ready to make up for the loss two weeks ago in Montana.
The Eagles also came ready to play, and after one quarter, EWU held a 14-0 lead. The Bengals kept having chances, but could not capitalize. Seeing their opportunity, the Eagles added another score before the Bengals could catch their breath.
Getting to work, the Bengals drive 75 yards down the field, capped by
Soujah Gasu's 38 yard touchdown rush.
The Eagles tacked on two more touchdowns and Idaho State stared down a 35-7 lead in the second quarter. The Bengals, knowing they would get the ball back to start the 2
nd half, took advantage of the final drive of the first half.
The Bengals drove the field, with big catches by
Chedon James and
Christian Fredericksen. The Bengals finished the drive with a pass from
Hunter Hays to James in the endzone to cut the lead to 35-14 headed into the locker room.
Coming out of the locker room, the Bengals and Eagles traded possessions with the Eagles kicking a field goal to take a 38-14 lead. Off of an interception on the next drive, the Eagles kicked another field goal to make the score 41-14 and set the stage for some of the best dramatics in ISU school history.
The comeback started with a bang. With 1:48 to play in the 3
rd quarter,
Jordan Cooke connected with James on a massive 65 yard completion.
Cyrus Wallace then grabbed a 15 yard pass and fought into the endzone to cut the lead to 41-21 and head into the 4
th quarter.
The Bengal defense then stepped up forcing a punt out of the Eagles, letting the Bengal offense take the field again.
The Bengal receivers showed why ISU is one of the top teams in the FCS in passing offense. On the next drive, Fredericksen caught a 38 yard bomb and
Cyrus Wallace followed with a 27 yard snatch. The Drive was capped with a one-yard option run by Gasu for the touchdown
Once again the one-two punch of
Chedon James and
Cyrus Wallace moved the Bengals 40 yards down the field and and the drive was capped by an amazingly athletic play by
Aaron Blancas who after catching the ball on the 25, juked and powered past the Eagle defense to score in the corner of the endzone. The Bengals were now only down 41-35 and the team had a win in their sights.
Before that could happen, the Bengals had complete an onside kick.
Thomas Kopcho perfectly placed the bounce between the Eagles kick coverage and
Tylor Bohannon stepped up diving on the ball and giving the Bengals life with three minutes to play in the game.
After driving the field, Idaho State was forced into a fourth and nine to decide the game. When it mattered most,
Jordan Cooke slung an amazing pass to Christian Frederickesen, who, in double coverage leapt into the air and made the grab for the Bengal first down.
On the next play,
Hunter Hays took the quarterback keeper into the endzone untouched and with ice in his veins,
Thomas Kopcho knocked in the PAT.
The Bengals led the game 42-41 and the Bengal faithful in the stands Roared loudly and proudly.
Finally, the Bengals iced the EWU kicker and as his game-winning field goal attempt sailed wide right the Bengals flowed onto the field letting the dome ring with their cheers.
Idaho State had done it, the Bengals never gave up and fought back from 27 points down to stun the #22 EWU Eagles and get their second win of the season.
Bengal Bites
- This is the Bengals' first win over the EWU Eagles since the 2005 season.
- Since the turn of the century, the Bengals 572 total yards is the 15th most for the Orange and Black.
- Chedon James' 15 receptions is the most for a Bengal since Mitch Gueller vs Idaho in 2019. His 206 yards was the first 200+ yard receiving game for the Bengals since Tanner Conner against Idaho in 2021.
- Soujah Gasu's 75 yards of gain rushing is the most for a Bengal this season.
- Jordan Cooke's 389 yards was most for a Bengal QB since Tyler Vander Waal against Eastern Washington in 2021.
- Calvin Pitcher led the Bengal defense with 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 assist). Teilor Tuioti and Mason Young followed with nine tackles each.
- 42 points scored is the most for the Bengals since the 2020 season (42 vs Eastern Washington on 3/13)
Next Up
The Bengals hit the road this week to head to Portland, Oregon and take on the PSU Vikings.
