High-Octane Bengals Set for Top-Five Test at Montana State

POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State heads to Bozeman for a nationally ranked showdown against No. 5 Montana State on Saturday afternoon, where one of the FCS's most explosive passing offenses will collide with one of the nation's stingiest defenses.

How to Follow
Kickoff: Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. MT
Location: Bobcat Stadium – Bozeman, Montana
Watch: ESPN+ / SCRIPPS Sports
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM or KISU.org (PxP Scott Gross, Color Kody Graves)
Live Stats: Click Here
 
The Bengals, who average 38.5 points and 476.5 yards per game, continue to pace the Big Sky through the air behind quarterback Jordan Cooke's 277.4 passing yards per contest, ranking third nationally in passing offense. Meanwhile, Montana State boasts a defense built on physicality and discipline, allowing just 296.0 total yards per game, the top mark in the Big Sky and ninth nationally.

Idaho State (2–4, 1–1 Big Sky) enters the weekend coming off a narrow 42–38 loss to Montana in a game that showcased the Bengals' offensive versatility. Cooke threw for a career-high 421 yards and two touchdowns, while running backs Dason Brooks and Carson Sudbury combined for three rushing scores. Montana State (4–2, 2–0 Big Sky) rides a four-game winning streak, including dominant defensive performances that have propelled the Bobcats into the FCS top five.
  What to Watch

1. Bengals Offensive Might Meets a Bobcat Defensive Wall

Few teams have been able to slow Idaho State's tempo through six weeks. The Bengals rank 11th nationally in total offense (476.5 ypg), 3rd in passing offense, and 12th in scoring offense. Cooke's connection with receivers Michael Shulikov (519 yards, 3 TDs) and Tsion Nunnally (333 yards, 3 TDs) has sparked a unit averaging over 7.0 yards per play.
Montana State, however, represents their toughest test yet. The Bobcats lead the Big Sky in total defense (296.0 ypg) and rushing defense (110.2 ypg), and sit 6th nationally in scoring defense (18.2 ppg).

2. Sinatra's Steady Foot

Kicker Trajan Sinatra remains perfect on the year, going 10-for-10 on field goals, including three from beyond 45 yards. He ranks first nationally in field goal percentage (1.000) and fourth in field goals per game (1.67). Sinatra has been a consistent source of points, converting 54 total on the season and extending his streak of consecutive makes to ten.

3. Protecting the Pocket

A major reason for Cooke's efficiency has been Idaho State's offensive line. The Bengals have allowed just one sack in 256 pass attempts, ranking second nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game (0.17). That protection will be crucial against a Montana State defense that ranks among the Big Sky's top pass-rushing units.

4. Conference Standings Implications

Montana State (2–0) enters tied atop the Big Sky standings with Montana and Sacramento State. Idaho State (1–1) sits in the middle of the pack but has already faced two nationally ranked opponents in its first six games. Saturday offers another statement opportunity as the Bengals look to secure their first win over a top-five team since 2005.

5. Defense Creating Havoc

Idaho State's defense has shown a knack for disruption through the first half of the season. The Bengals rank 9th nationally in tackles for loss (7.7 per game) and 17th in team sacks (2.67 per game), with consistent pressure coming from the front seven. Cam'ron Willis leads the unit in sacks, while Collin Lewis and Rylan Leathers have anchored a group that's generated takeaways in every game this year. The Bengals' ability to create negative plays and turnovers could be pivotal against Montana State's balanced attack. By the Numbers
The Bengals are making waves in the Big Sky and FCS rankings in 2025

• 3rd Nationally / 1st Big Sky – Passing Offense (318.2 ypg)
• 11th Nationally / 2nd Big Sky – Total Offense (476.5 ypg)
• 12th Nationally / 2nd Big Sky – Scoring Offense (38.5 ppg)
• 2nd Nationally / 1st Big Sky – Fewest Sacks Allowed (0.17 per game)
• 4th Nationally / 2nd Big Sky – Net Punting (42.47 yards)
• 1st Nationally – Field Goal Percentage (10-for-10)
• 9th Nationally / 2nd Big Sky – Team Tackles for Loss (7.7 per game)
• 17th Nationally / 2nd Big Sky – Team Sacks (2.67 per game)
• 18th Nationally / 3rd Big Sky – Third-Down Conversion (46.3%)
• 23rd Nationally / 2nd Big Sky – Red Zone Defense (74.1%)

Scouting the Bobcats
Montana State presents one of the most complete teams in the FCS on both sides of the ball. The Bobcats have a 4–2 record and a No. 5 national ranking, built on a defense that dominates up front and an offense that balances efficiency with power.

Quarterback Justin Lamson has completed 72 percent of his passes. The rushing game averages over 200 yards per contest and ranks among the top ten nationally in yards per carry. Multiple backs contribute to that production, allowing the Bobcats to maintain pace late in games.

Defensively, Montana State's front seven leads the Big Sky in both rushing defense (110.2 ypg) and total defense (296.0 ypg). The Bobcats also rank top ten nationally in scoring defense (18.2 ppg) and limit explosive plays. Linebacker play and gap control have been key to maintaining that consistency.

Special teams continue to support Montana State's field position advantage. The Bobcats have committed the fewest penalty yards per game in the FCS (34.3), and returner Taco Dowler ranks among the top 20 nationally with a punt return touchdown.

Montana State's disciplined approach forces opponents to sustain long drives while avoiding mistakes, making efficiency and execution critical for Idaho State's offense this week. Bengal Bites

• Explosive Offensive Production: Idaho State has surpassed 500 yards of total offense three times this season, including 555 at UNLV, 539 at Northern Colorado, and 497 against No. 4 Montana. The Bengals have produced four games with over 400 yards of offense and are averaging 476.5 yards per contest.
• Jordan Cooke's Growth: Cooke's 421 passing yards against Montana were the most by an ISU quarterback since 2024. He has thrown for 300 or more yards three times this season and currently ranks 4th nationally in passing yards per game (277.4).
• Reliable Ground Game: Running back Dason Brooks has emerged as one of the Big Sky's most efficient rushers, logging 166 yards at Northern Colorado and 132 at UNLV. He has five rushing touchdowns and ranks among the top 25 nationally in total rushing yards.
• Airborne Targets: Receivers Michael Shulikov, Tsion Nunnally, and Ian Duarte have each posted 100-yard receiving games this season. Shulikov leads ISU with 519 yards and five total touchdowns (three receiving, two passing), while Nunnally has scored in three straight games.
• Sinatra's Streak: Kicker Trajan Sinatra is 10-for-10 on field goals this year, including a career-long 56-yarder at New Mexico that tied for the third-longest in program history. He also made four in the win at Northern Colorado, the most by a Bengal since 2024.
• Defensive Disruption: The Bengals have posted at least one takeaway in every game this season. Mason Young has forced three fumbles and scored on a 15-yard fumble return at Southern Utah, while Rylan Leathers has forced multiple turnovers and leads the defense in total tackles.
• Front Line Pressure: Cam'ron Willis leads Idaho State in sacks and ranks in the Big Sky top 10. The Bengals tallied nine tackles for loss against Montana, including multiple stops from Collin Lewis and sacks from Willis, Jacob Perez, and Ryder Holt.
• Dominant in the Trenches: The ISU offensive line has allowed just one sack through six games, ranking second nationally. The unit also helped produce 289 rushing yards at Northern Colorado, the most for the program since 2022.
• Record Day in the Dome: Idaho State's 90–0 victory over Lincoln (CA) set a new school record for margin of victory and tied the single-game record with seven passing touchdowns. The Bengals held Lincoln to seven rushing yards on 26 attempts.
• Special Teams Efficiency: Mason Lindberg has recorded a perfect 7-for-7 touchback performance and added a blocked punt against Lincoln. ISU remains one of only four FCS teams without a punt blocked this season.

Coaches Corner
Quotes from Head Coach Cody Hawkins will be added following his weekly press conference on Wednesday. Series History
Montana State leads the all-time series 50–31–3, including a 31–9–1 record in Bozeman. The Bobcats have won nine of the last ten meetings, with Idaho State's last win coming in 2018 at home.

Year	Site	Date	Result
2024	Pocatello	Sept. 28	L, 37–17
2022	Bozeman	Oct. 8	L, 37–6
2021	Bozeman	Oct. 23	L, 27–9
2018	Pocatello	Oct. 27	W, 24–17
2017	Bozeman	Oct. 28	L, 28–14
2015	Pocatello	Nov. 14	L, 44–20
2014	Bozeman	Nov. 15	L, 44–39
2011	Bozeman	Oct. 29	L, 54–13
2010	Pocatello	Oct. 30	L, 23–20 (OT)
2009	Bozeman	Oct. 31	L, 41–10

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