DAVIS, Calif. — Idaho State football delivered its biggest win of the Cody Hawkins era on Saturday afternoon, knocking off No. 6 UC Davis 38–36 at UC Davis Health Stadium. The Bengals controlled the game from the opening drive and sealed the road upset with a 50-yard field goal from Trajan Sinatra with 52 seconds left to secure the program's first win over a Top-10 opponent since 2021.
"I told the guys, good things happen to good people in the end, and tonight we saw that," remarked Head Coach Cody Hawkins. "It wasn't perfect by the offense, it wasn't perfect by the defense, but they kept fighting. We had a game-winning field goal, huge turnovers, and great running by our offensive front. I'm so proud of our guys and so happy they get to feel that weight lifted off their shoulders."
The Bengals (3–6, 2–3 Big Sky) opened the game with a statement, scoring on their first drive when Dason Brooks broke free for a 57-yard touchdown, the team's longest rushing play of the season. Brooks continued to dominate, recording 219 rushing yards and two touchdowns, both new individual season highs.
His 219-yard effort ranks sixth all-time in Idaho State single-game history, just behind Nick Whitworth's 221 yards against Eastern Oregon in 1999. It also marks the Bengals' first 200-yard rushing performance since James Madison's 253 yards against Northern Colorado in 2017.
After a blocked PAT by Jake East held the Aggies to six points on their first possession, Idaho State answered with another methodical 74-yard march. Quarterback Jordan Cooke efficiently distributed the ball, completing short passes to set up a two-yard touchdown strike to Tsion Nunnally, who recorded his fifth touchdown of the season and his fourth 100-yard receiving game.
The offense operated with rhythm throughout the afternoon, rolling up 471 total yards against one of the Big Sky's top-ranked defenses. Cooke finished 21-for-36 passing for 252 yards and two touchdowns, while the offensive line paved the way for a season-best 7.6 yards per rush. Michael Shulikov added one of the game's signature moments, a diving, one-handed 35-yard touchdown catch midway through the third quarter that regained the lead for Idaho State.
The Bengal defense repeatedly came up with timely stops. Jackson Daniels recorded his first career interception in the second quarter, while Collin Lewis posted his first sack of the season. Teilor Tuioti matched a team season high with two tackles for loss, and Rylan Leathers led all defenders with eight tackles.
The fireworks continued in the second quarter as Brooks added his second touchdown of the day, pushing his total to 131 yards before halftime. UC Davis clawed back, but special teams swung the momentum once again when Isaiah Cook blocked a punt and Aiden Garcia returned it 16 yards for a touchdown, Idaho State's first blocked-punt score of 2025. It marked the second straight season the Bengals have converted a blocked punt for a touchdown after doing so against Western Oregon in 2024.
The defense came up big again just before halftime when Cam'ron Willis strip-sacked the Aggie quarterback and Bronson Childs recovered the fumble inside the red zone, stopping another potential scoring drive.
UC Davis (6–2, 4–1) took its only lead of the game at 36–35 with 2:56 remaining, connecting on a 46-yard field goal. Idaho State's response was immediate. Cooke calmly directed a seven-play, 35-yard drive, finding Tsion Nunnally on a key 29-yard completion to set up Sinatra's 50-yard field goal, which split the uprights with 52 seconds remaining.
The defense closed it out with Nathan Reynolds' interception on the final Aggie drive, sealing one of the program's most complete performances of the season.
Despite allowing 567 yards of total offense, Idaho State's defense forced three turnovers, tallied five tackles for loss, and held UC Davis to just 2-of-8 on third down and four field goal drives on seven red-zone trips, a bend-but-don't-break performance that defined the afternoon.
Bengal Bites
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Idaho State's 38 points were the second-most UC Davis has allowed this season, trailing only Washington's 70–10 win over the Aggies on Sept. 6.
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The Bengals earned their first Top-10 win since 2021 and first road win over a ranked opponent under Hawkins.
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Dason Brooks' 219 rushing yards and 57-yard touchdown run are both new season highs, ranking sixth in ISU single-game history.
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Tsion Nunnally posted his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season (9 catches, 119 yards, 1 TD).
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Aiden Garcia's 16-yard blocked-punt return was ISU's first special-teams touchdown of 2025 and the second straight season the Bengals have scored on a blocked punt.
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Teilor Tuioti matched a team season high with two tackles for loss.
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Idaho State converted 6-of-10 third downs while holding UC Davis to just 2-of-8.
Next Up
The Bengals return home to Pocatello for the first of two straight games inside the ICCU Dome, hosting Cal Poly on Saturday, Nov. 8. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+ and KISU 91.1 FM.
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