POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Football wraps up its three-game road swing with a Saturday afternoon contest at New Mexico. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM MT on September 6 at University Stadium in Albuquerque. Fans can watch the game live on the Mountain West Network or listen via KISU 91.1 FM, with Scott Gross on the call.
This marks the Bengals' third straight road game to open the 2025 season. ISU enters the matchup 0–2 following setbacks at UNLV and Southern Utah, while New Mexico is 0–1 after a 34–17 loss at Michigan in its opener.
How to Follow
Location: University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M.
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM MT
Watch: Mountain West Network (https://golobos.com/watch/)
Listen: KISU.org (91.1 FM)
Live Stats: https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=nm
Idaho State Gamenotes
New Mexico Gamenotes (To be Linked)
ISU vs UNM Overview
Saturday's contest marks the fourth all-time meeting between Idaho State and New Mexico, with the Lobos leading the series 3–0. All three matchups have been played in Albuquerque, most recently a 38–9 UNM victory in 1998.
While the Bengals have not played the Lobos many times in the team's history, New Mexico is led by a familiar foe to the Bengals. Head Coach Jason Eck took over the UNM program this summer, coming to the Lobos from the Idaho Vandals, whom he led to multiple FCS playoff spots. Along with Coach Eck, multiple Vandals made the switch to Albuquerque, including all-Big Sky Conference and All-American linebacker Jaxton Eck who had 8 tackles against Michigan this past weekend.
This will be the Bengals first trip to Albuquerque in 27 years, the city sits at 5,312 feet, about 850 feet higher in elevation than Pocatello.
Series History
All-Time Series: New Mexico leads, 3–0
Results:
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1998 (A): L, 38–9
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1993 (A): L, 39–13
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1967 (A): L, 21–3
Game Trends: All three matchups have been played in Albuquerque, with UNM outscoring ISU 98–25 overall. The closest contest came in 1967, a 21–3 decision. Idaho State's highest point total in the series came in 1993, when the Bengals scored 13 in a 39–13 loss.
Bengal Bites
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Quarterback Jordan Cooke has thrown for 714 yards and two touchdowns across the first two games, including 380 yards at UNLV.
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Wide receiver Michael Shulikov posted 115 yards at Southern Utah, while Damien Morgan added a 19-yard touchdown.
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Tsion Nunnally recorded a career-high 82 receiving yards against SUU.
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Safety Mason Young returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown at SUU, his second career defensive score.
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Punter Gabe Russo uncorked a career-long 74-yard punt against SUU, the longest by a Bengal since 2021.
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Linebacker Teilor Tuioti (13) and safety Rylan Leathers (23 total tackles through two games) lead the defensive effort.
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Robert Freeman IV has 131 kick return yards through two weeks, including a 41-yarder against SUU.
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ISU has opened with back-to-back 300+ yard passing performances, totaling 395 at UNLV and 338 at SUU.
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Three different Bengal receivers have already posted 100-yard games this season (Duarte, Shulikov, Morgan).
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Opponents have rushed for over 300 yards in both games (UNLV 300, SUU 323).
Scouting the Lobos
New Mexico opened its season with a 34–17 loss at Michigan, producing 267 yards of total offense. Quarterback Jake Layne completed 31-of-47 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown, with tight end Dorian Thomas catching 10 passes for 71 yards and both UNM scores. Running back Scottre Humphrey paced the ground game with 33 yards.
The Lobo defense was led by safety Tavian Combs (9 tackles) and linebacker Jaxton Eck (8 tackles). Defensive lineman Brett Karhu added a sack among his 5 total stops. Overall, UNM allowed 452 yards to Michigan but forced two turnovers.
From the depth chart, UNM's offense features Layne at quarterback, Thomas at tight end, and wideouts Keegan Johnson and Michael Buckley as primary targets. The running back rotation includes Humphrey, Damon Bankston, and D.J. McKinney. On defense, Combs, Eck, and cornerback Abraham Williams headline a veteran unit. Special teams are handled by kicker Luke Drzewiecki (1-for-1 FG at Michigan) and punter Daniel Hughes (47.8 avg). Williams also leads the return game.
Tale of the Tape
Offense: ISU averages 458.0 yards per game (366.5 passing, 91.5 rushing). UNM totaled 267 yards in its opener (217 passing, 50 rushing).
Defense: ISU allows 547.5 yards per game, while UNM allowed 452 in its lone game at Michigan.
Scoring: ISU averages 27.5 points, UNM 17.0. Opponents are averaging 42.0 against ISU and 34.0 against UNM.
Special Teams: ISU's Sinatra is perfect on field goals (2-for-2), and Russo averages 45.6 yards per punt. UNM's Drzewiecki hit from 44 yards in Week 1, and Hughes averaged 47.8 yards per punt.
Offensive Notes
The Numbers: Idaho State is averaging 458.0 yards per game, including 366.5 passing and 91.5 rushing. The Bengals have committed five turnovers, all interceptions, while opponents have committed two. ISU is 9-of-27 on third down (33%) and 2-of-6 on fourth down (33%). Inside the red zone, ISU is 5-for-7 (71%) with four touchdowns.
Under Center: Quarterback Jordan Cooke has started both games, throwing for 380 yards and a touchdown at UNLV and 334 yards with a score at Southern Utah. His 714 passing yards rank among the early Big Sky leaders. Trick-play contributions have added to the passing game — wide receiver Michael Shulikov threw a 15-yard touchdown to Cooke at UNLV, while quarterback Davis Harsin saw action at SUU.
On the Ground: Running back Dason Brooks sparked the opener with 132 yards and two scores at UNLV, his best game since 2024. Quarterback Brett Spencer added a 1-yard touchdown run at Southern Utah. ISU is averaging 4.5 yards per carry as a team.
Through the Air: Wideouts have carried the offense. Damien Morgan and Michael Shulikov each posted 100-yard games, while Ian Duarte delivered a career-long 64-yard touchdown against UNLV. Nine different players have receptions, with ISU averaging 13.3 yards per catch.
Defensive Notes
The Numbers: Idaho State is allowing 547.5 yards per game, including 311.5 rushing and 236.0 passing. Opponents are averaging 7.7 yards per play. ISU has forced two turnovers — one interception return and one fumble return for a touchdown.
Leaders: Safety Rylan Leathers has a team-high 23 tackles, followed by linebackers Nathan Reynolds (20) and Teilor Tuioti (18). Mason Young has 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and a 15-yard fumble return TD.
In the Trenches: Defensive end Cam'ron Willis has been disruptive with two sacks and four tackles for loss in two games. Defensive tackle Bronson Childs added a sack and 2.0 tackles for loss against UNLV.
Pass Defense: The Bengals have yet to record an interception, while opponents have completed 75% of their passes (37-of-49). ISU has broken up five passes through two games.
Special Teams Notes
Consistency: Kicker Trajan Sinatra is perfect through two games, hitting field goals from 26 and 40 yards and converting all seven PATs.
Field Position: Punter Gabe Russo has averaged 45.6 yards on seven punts, with three placed inside the 20 and a long of 74 yards at Southern Utah — the longest by a Bengal since Kevin Ryan's 65-yarder at BYU in 2021.
Return Game: Robert Freeman IV has been the primary kickoff returner, totaling 131 yards on five returns. His 41-yard runback against SUU was ISU's first in the 40–49 yard range since Benji Omayebu's 47-yarder vs. Central Arkansas in 2022, and the program's first return of 40+ yards since Justice Jackson's 85-yarder at EWU in 2024. Punt returns have been limited, with just one attempt for seven yards so far.
National and Big Sky Rankings
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Passing Offense: 3rd nationally, 1st in Big Sky (366.5 yards per game).
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First Downs Offense: Tied 1st nationally, 1st in Big Sky (49).
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Kickoff Returns: 21st nationally, 1st in Big Sky (26.2 yards per return).
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Net Punting: 12th nationally, 3rd in Big Sky (42.7-yard average).
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Defensive Touchdowns: Tied 1st nationally and 1st in Big Sky (1).
Coaches Corner
Key Quotes
1. On the formula for an FBS upset:
"How do we win, hold them under 150 rushing yards, win the turnover battle by two, create explosives in the pass game, and run the ball for first downs and touchdowns."
"Jordan Cooke played hurt last week, he had a procedure and he will be out for the foreseeable future. We love him and appreciate him, he will be back, I just cannot tell you when."
3. On the quarterback rotation:
"Both quarterbacks will play. Davis Harsin has done a great job from an operational standpoint, and we are comfortable with Jackson Sharman. I do not know who will take the first snap."
4. On what makes New Mexico's offense difficult to defend:
"New Mexico will make you play sideline to sideline with multiple personnels. If you stay in nickel vs 12, you get punched in the mouth, and if you stay in base vs light personnel, they can out-athlete you on the perimeter."
5. On the running back depth chart:
"Running back will be by committee. Carson Sudbury will probably start. You will see Tytan Mason, and we hope Brett Spencer continues to feel better and can take a larger role."
Next Up
Idaho State returns home for its 2025 ICCU Dome opener on September 20 against Lincoln (CA). Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM MT in Pocatello.
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