San Diego, Calif. – The Idaho State Bengals kicked off the Cody Hawkins era with a Bang Saturday evening in San Diego, Calif. Taking on the SDSU Aztecs, the scrappy orange and black fought for four quarters and finished the game just one possession shy with a 36-28 loss to the Aztecs.
The Bengals opened the game with the first points of the game. After an 11-play drive, Thomas Kopcho knocked in a 32-yard field goal to give the Bengals the 3-0 lead.
After trading scores, with a minute left in the first half, Christian Fredericksen snatched a 24-yard pass from Jordan Cooke in the endzone for the Bengal's first touchdown of the season and the two teams headed into the locker room with a 20-13 Aztec lead.
The second half, the Bengals continued the fight. Despite going down two scores the Bengals didn't relent forcing the Aztecs into three punt situations giving the Bengal offense time to get back onto the field.
With 13:34 to play int the 4th, the Bengals cut the lead to 29-21 after a Chedon James touchdown reception and an Alfred Jordan Jr. catch for a successful two-point conversion.
Despite SDSU scoring another touchdown, there was no lack of fight in this squad. The Bengals continued to drive the field and with 36 seconds on the clock, facing a defense that was not relenting or backing down, Hunter Hays scrambled into the endzone to score the final points of the game.
At zero, while the scoreboard showed 36-28 in favor of the Aztecs, the Bengals showed attitudes that have not been seen in some time at Idaho State. The Orange and Black fought for all 60 minutes, not backing down once, and gave it their all, fighting to the last possession against their opponent.
Notes
· 28 points is the 2nd most ever scored against an FBS opponent by the Bengals in the modern era. The record is 30 against Nevada in the Bengals 30-28 win in 2017. Third place was a Bengals win against Utah State in 2000 with a score of 27-24
· 28 points was the highest total the Bengals scored in 2022, ISU equalized it in game one of the season.
· Two Bengal Quarterbacks, Hunter Hays and Jordan Cooke, combined for 309 total passing yards and 63 total pass attempts.
· #2 Chedon James led the Bengal receivers with seven completed catches, 66 yards and a touchdown, he was followed by #15 Christian Fredericksen with 63 yards on five completions and a touchdown.
· 10 Bengal receivers had catches in the game, showing the depth at the WR position on the team.
· #35 Thomas Kopcho had two completed field goals from 32 and 33 yards.
· Bengal Captain #6 Calvin Pitcher led the defense in tackles with eight solo and two assisted. The 10 tackles was just one shy of his personal best.
· #22 Mason Young followed with a personal best 9 tackles and a forced fumble.
· #21 Jihad Brown had a forced fumble and #9 Herman Smith added a force to his stat line as well.
· The Bengal defense had six tackles for loss and two sacks .
Next Up
Next week, the Bengals take the quick trip to Logan, Utah to face off against the Utah State Aggies. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM at Maverick Stadium.
Bengal Postgame
