POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State Bengals (2-2) welcome the #3 Montana State Bobcats (4-0) to the ICCU Dome for the opener of 2024 Big Sky Conference play.
The Bengals are riding a 38-28 homecoming win over Southern Utah into the game, while the Bobcats are coming off of a 52-13 win over new FCS member Mercyhurst.
How to Follow
The game this week will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Scripps Network which includes local network channels across the United States.
Football Weekly Press Conference
Head Coach Cody Hawkins addressed the media following practice Wednesday morning.
Series vs Montana State
The Bengals and Bobcats first faced off in 1923 and Saturday's game marks just over 100 years of football between the two 'State' schools, with this game being the 85th of the series.
Montana leads the all-time series 50-31-3. In Pocatello, the Bengals hold the series edge with a 22-18-2 all-time record.
This is the first time that the Bobcats have come to Pocatello since the 2018 season when the Bengals defeated the Bobcats 24-17 behind a huge defensive effort by Christian Holland who had 18 tackles, one tfl and one sack.
Bites
· THE SERIES - It's been 100 years of ISU vs MSU and It's the 85th all-time meeting of two of the founding Big Sky member schools and the 43rd meeting in Pocatello. The Bengals and Bobcats first faced off in 1923 and have played each other consistently for the past 100 years.
· Ranked FCS FOES - This is the third straight game for the Bengals facing off against an FCS opponent that is either ranked or receiving votes in the polls. MSU comes into the ICCU Dome ranked the No. 3 team in the country.
· HAWKINS YEAR TWO - 2024 marks the start of Cody Hawkins' 2nd year at the helm of the helm of the Idaho State Bengals football program. Hawkins saw success his first year with wins over Northern Colorado and Portland State and a home comeback victory over #22 Eastern Washington.
· PASSING OFFENSE DOMINANCE - The Idaho State Bengals are top-10 in the country in passing yards per game. Through 4 games the Bengals average 278.3 passing yards per game, first in the Big Sky this season. Montana State's passing defense is 3rd in the Big Sky, holding opponents to 178 yards per game.
· RUN THE BALL - After ending the 2023 season one of the worst rushing teams in the country, the Bengals, through 4 games in 2024, have considerably improved, moving the ball on the ground 140.5 yards per game and a season high of 247 yards against Southern Utah.
· FIRST DOWN OFFENSE - The Bengal offense is ranked No. 4 in the country in first down offense even after two strong fcs opponents and an FBS game at Oregon State
Numbers to Watch
278..3 – Total passing yards per game for the Bengals this season, ranked #9 in the country.
96 – The Bengals' first down offense, currently ranked 4th in the country in the FCS.
10 – Total sacks by the Bengal defense, averaging 2.5 per game through the first four.
1 – 4th down conversion rank in the Big Sky at 80%, The Bengals are 11th in the nation in 4th down conversions
Tickets
Idaho State football tickets are on sale now, Click Here to purchase tickets for the Bengals' upcoming six games in the renovated ICCU Dome.
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