GREELEY, Colo. – Idaho State opened Big Sky Conference play in style on Saturday afternoon, grinding out a 26–18 victory over Northern Colorado at Nottingham Field. The Bengals piled up 539 yards of total offense, including 289 on the ground, while limiting the Bears to just 30 rushing yards in a physical battle.
"It's hard to win Big Sky games. Everyone in the conference is so good. It's even harder to win road games," Head Coach Cody Hawkins said. "I told the guys that I don't want me harping on the details to take away from the joy and the recognition of how tough it is to win on the road in this great conference."
First-Half Punch
Idaho State jumped out early, taking a 10–0 lead in the first quarter on a 26-yard field goal by Trajan Sinatra and a six-yard touchdown run from Carson Sudbury. Two more Sinatra kicks, including a 49-yarder, extended the advantage to 16–0 midway through the second.
Northern Colorado countered with a 95-yard touchdown drive, but the Bengals responded in the final seconds before halftime. Jordan Cooke connected with Tsion Nunnally on a 33-yard strike with just two ticks left on the clock, sending ISU into the break with a 23–7 cushion.
"That touchdown before halftime was huge," Hawkins said. "We know we can play better, but it gives you a lot of confidence to see your guys kind of get into a gutter fight and come out on top."
Defense Controls the Trenches
The Bears cut the margin to 23–15 in the third quarter, but ISU's defense held firm down the stretch, forcing two turnovers and not allowing a touchdown in the final 20 minutes. The Bengals' front three notched three sacks and 10 tackles for loss, holding UNC to a mere 1.1 yards per carry.
"Our defense held them to 30 yards rushing, which is incredible against a team that wants to punch you in the face like Northern Colorado does," Hawkins said. "Hats off to the whole defensive staff, hats off to Nathan Reynolds and Teilor Tuioti, the captains of the defense, and the entire front. Really, really proud of those guys."
Hawkins also praised safety Rylan Leathers for forcing and recovering a fumble, and cornerback Janari Boone for making two critical breakups inside the red zone.
Ground Game Leads the Way
Behind a dominant offensive line, Idaho State rolled up 289 rushing yards. Running back Dason Brooks carried 26 times for 161 yards, while Davis Harsin added 55 yards rushing and 41 passing. Sudbury chipped in 34 yards and a touchdown, and Cooke scrambled for 17 more.
"For the last two years we've been saying we're going to get the run game going and make it part of our identity. We had almost 300 on the ground today," Hawkins said. "It starts with the guys up front, but it takes everybody — the quarterbacks running when they're asked to, the receivers blocking, even carrying it at times. You saw all three of those pieces come together tonight."
Sinatra Stays Perfect
Special teams again played a starring role. Sinatra drilled four field goals, from 26, 27, 49, and 48 yards, and hit both PATs to account for 14 of ISU's 26 points. He improved to 9-for-9 on the season.
"It makes a huge difference to have that weapon," Hawkins said. "Once you cross the 50, you know it's less about first downs and more about putting the ball in play. Trey's doing a great job, and we're really happy to have a stud like him back there."
By the Numbers
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Total Offense: Idaho State 539, Northern Colorado 426
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Rushing Yards: Idaho State 289, Northern Colorado 30
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First Downs: Idaho State 25, Northern Colorado 16
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Time of Possession: Idaho State 32:57, Northern Colorado 27:03
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Turnovers: Both teams 1, ISU scored 3 points off UNC's giveaway
Bengal Bites
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Bengal Bites
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ISU improves to 2-3 overall, 1-0 in Big Sky play.
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Brooks recorded his second 100-yard rushing game of 2025 and third of his career.
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His 166 rushing yards marked a career high and are the most by a Bengal in a game since he ran for 139 against Southern Utah on Sept. 21, 2024.
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Brooks' 26 rushing attempts were the most for a Bengal since James Madison carried 30 times against Montana State on Oct. 28, 2017.
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Harsin's 41-yard rush marked the second consecutive game in which a Bengal produced a run of 40 yards or more.
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Idaho State's 289 rushing yards were the most in a single game since the Bengals ran for 293 against Cal Poly on Oct. 15, 2022.
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It was also the Bengals' first 200+ yard rushing game on the road since 2021, when ISU totaled 213 at Montana State on Oct. 23, 2021 in Bozeman.
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ISU's 539 total yards of offense marked the third game out of five this season over 500 yards, and the seventh 500+ yard game of the Cody Hawkins era.
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The Bengals posted season highs in yards per rush (10.41), yards per pass (12.00), and yards per play (11.09).
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Nunnally's touchdown was his third of the season.
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Sinatra improved to 9-for-9 on field goals this season after going 4-for-4 on the road.
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Sinatra's four field goals were the most by a Bengal in a single game since Gabe Panikowski hit four against Northern Arizona on Oct. 19, 2024.
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Mason Lindberg was perfect on kickoffs, recording 7 touchbacks on 7 attempts.
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The Bengal defense holding the Bears to just 30 rushing yards was the fewest allowed against a Division I opponent since 2014, when ISU held Southern Utah to 29 yards.
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The Bengals went 4-for-4 in the red zone.
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ISU's scoring drives of 5:01 and 5:29 were two of just three drives this season longer than five minutes.
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The victory was ISU's first Big Sky Conference road-opening win since 2018, when the Bengals beat No. 22 North Dakota 25–22 in Grand Forks.
Up Next
Idaho State returns home for the first time in 2025, hosting Montana on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the ICCU Dome Big Sky Home opener at 6:00 PM
"Montana's playing darn good football," Hawkins said. "We're excited to get them in our place. Buy up those tickets, support your guys. We've got a bunch of great young men on this football team and they're playing hard."
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