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POCATELLO, Idaho – The surging Idaho State Bengals hit the road to Portland this week to take on the Portland State Vikings, on October 21 at Hillsboro Stadium. Kick is set for 2:00 PM M.
Both teams are coming off of strong Big Sky Conference victories and both sit at 2-1 in the conference standings making this a pivotal Big Sky matchup midway through the season.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available.
Scott Gross will have the call on KISU 91.1 FM
For any Bengal faithful in the area, tickets are still available and can be found at the link above and on the football schedule page on ISUBengals.com
Coach Hawkins Press Conference
Series History with the Vikings
This is the 47th all-time meeting of the Bengals and Vikings. The Idaho State Bengals lead the all time series 27-18-11 and in Portland, the series is tied 11-11.
The previous meeting of the two schools was a 31-10 loss for the Orange and Black at Hillsboro Stadium in Oregon.
The two schools have a long history going back to their first meeting, a 27-7 Idaho State win in 1965 in Pocatello. And since 1993 have played each other every year except 1995 and 2022.
The Vikings are led by Bruce Barnum who was a vital member of the Bengal coaching staff during the 2002 Big Sky Championship run and coached for the Bengals from 1998-2006.
Bengal Bites
· The Bengals only return 40 players on the roster from the 2022 season. Despite the low numbers, Coach Hawkins and his staff recruited a full 110-man roster for the 2023 season.
· The Bengals' 28 points scored against SDSU is the 2nd most scored against an FBS opponent in the modern era. The record is 30 against Nevada in the Bengals' 2017 30-28 win over the Wolfpack. Third place is in the year 2000 against the Utah State Aggies in a 27-24 win.
· The Bengals threw 63 pass attempts against the Aztecs, leading the nation in total attempts. While more yardage is to be desired still, the number marks a change in the offense style that hasn't been seen in Pocatello for some time.
· 28 points scored against San Diego State in the 2023 season opener equaled the season high from 2022.
· The Bengals matched the 28 points scored this past week against the Aggies.
· The Bengals have the No. 2 passing offense in the nation averaging 350 passing yards a game.
· The Bengals are 11th in the nation in 3rd down conversion percentage, converting on 48 percent of attempts.
· The Bengals are 28th in the nation in fewest penalties per game only averaging 5.33/game.
· Chedon James leads the nation in receptions per game with 8.8. He ranks 6th in receiving yards and 5th in reception yards per game.
· Jordan Cooke ranks 19th in the nation in passing yards per game averaging 249.0
· The win against UNC was the Bengals' first win over the Bears since the 2014 season, breaking a three-game skid.
· The Bengals rank 11th in the nation in 3rd-down efficiency, converting on 48.1 percent of all attempts.
· Chedon James and Christian Fredericksen are ranked No.'s 1 and 2 in the conference in receiving yards per game. Cyrus Wallace is ranked 20th in yards per game.
· Mason Young is ranked 12th in the nation in tackles for loss with six on the year.
· Calvin Pitcher and Mason Young rank third and sixth in the conference in tackles per game with 8.83 and 8.2 respectively
· Jordan Cooke is ranked 2nd in passing offense and 4th in total offense.
· Jordan Cooke's 389 passing yards against EWU was the 2nd most in a Big Sky game this season.
· Chedon James' 206 receiving yards against EWU are the most in a single game this season in the Big Sky.
Bengals Storm Back vs Eagles
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 2nd 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 3rd 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 4th 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.
Next Up
After Portland, the Bengals continue the west coast road trip with a stop in Sacramento taking on the Sac State Hornets.
