ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Idaho State gave New Mexico all it could handle on Saturday afternoon, leading in the fourth quarter before the Lobos rallied for a 32-22 win at University Stadium. The Bengals used two quarterbacks, three field goals from Trajan Sinatra, and a gutsy defensive effort to push the FBS foe deep into the final minutes.
Idaho State falls to 0-3 on the season, while New Mexico moves to 1-1. Linebacker Nathan Reynolds wore the No. 25 Marcus Jackson Legacy Jersey for the game.
Play-by-Play Recap
First Quarter
Quarterback Jackson Sharman earned his first career start and opened the game with fellow first-time starter Carson Sudbury at running back. After a three-and-out, the Bengal defense forced a punt of their own, with Mason Young making the game's first tackle.
Davis Harsin rotated in at quarterback and led a methodical 13-play, 63-yard drive that ended with an interception at the 2-yard line. Idaho State controlled over five minutes of possession, but a dropped pass and red-zone pick ended the scoring threat. New Mexico capitalized, marching 98 yards to take a 7-0 lead with 21 seconds left in the quarter.
Second Quarter
The Bengals answered with their most balanced offensive drive of the season. Sharman found Michael Shulikov on a 17-yard gain,his longest reception of the year at that point,before Trajan Sinatra connected on a 27-yard field goal, improving to 3-for-3 on the season.
But New Mexico struck quickly. Scottre Humphrey ripped off a 61-yard touchdown run, marking the third straight game Idaho State has allowed a rush of 60-plus yards.
The Bengals responded with their best sequence of the half. After Cam'ron Willis forced a fumble and Teilor Tuioti returned it 23 yards,his first career recovery and the longest Bengal return since 2024,Harsin capped a six-play, 67-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown strike to Shulikov. The veteran receiver elevated in the corner of the endzone for his seventh career touchdown, bringing the Bengals within 14-10.
Just before the half, Jackson Irwin recorded his first sack in a Bengal uniform, one of two ISU sacks in the game. Idaho State trailed 14-10 at the break.
Third Quarter
Head Coach Cody Hawkins dialed up an onside kick to start the second half, but the Lobos recovered. Idaho State's defense held on fourth down, with Gabe Tahir notching his first career pass breakup to end the drive.
Sinatra then drilled a career-long 56-yard field goal, tying for the third-longest in program history and matching the University Stadium record in Albuquerque. It was the 10th made field goal of 55+ yards in Bengal history.
After another stop, Sinatra added a 33-yarder, and Idaho State took a 16-14 lead after scoring 13 unanswered points. Though the Lobos threatened late in the quarter, the Bengals held firm at the goal line, forcing a short field goal and entering the fourth down just 17-16.
Fourth Quarter
The Bengals went back in front with an 11-play, 75-yard drive led by Harsin. A sideline toe-tap catch from Aiden Garcia gained 17 yards,his longest of the season,followed by tough runs from Brett Spencer and Harsin. Tytan Mason capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, the first of his career, to make it 22-17 with 10:40 to play.
But New Mexico answered quickly with a 9-play, 70-yard drive and converted a two-point try to lead 25-22. After the Bengals were forced to punt, the Lobos added a back-breaking 58-yard touchdown drive to extend their lead to 32-22 with under two minutes remaining.
Idaho State's final drive ended on downs, sealing the loss.
From the Head Coach
Head Coach Cody Hawkins was proud of the fight but frustrated with the finish.
"I mean, I feel good about our team and I told these guys that I love them, win, lose or draw, but the reason it eats at you, man, it really does because... you wanna be able to finish in the fourth quarter."
On what made this loss sting more:
"This is a game that we knew we had a shot to win if we played well. And you just felt like you had it in your hands, you know, to have the lead in the fourth quarter and then let it slip away from you is obviously a bummer."
On the play of quarterbacks Davis Harsin and Carson Sudbury:
"they're guys that you really trust and you know, you can put them in the toughest situation and they won't flinch."
On the defense's effort:
"I said I was super proud of you guys for how you played. And the hardest part is that they're gonna be judged on three plays that got away from 'em... But we also have to be totally convicted that, man, if I can continue to attack this the right way... then we got a shot to be elite."
On Trajan Sinatra's historic field goal:
"He just hits such a clean ball... We had a ton of faith in him. We know that kind of, if we can get to the 38, he was gonna have a shot to bang it."
Bengal Bites
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Trajan Sinatra is now 6-for-6 on field goals in 2025 after going 3-for-3 at New Mexico (27, 56, 33 yards).
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His 56-yard field goal is tied for third-longest in ISU history and ties the University Stadium record in Albuquerque.
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Michael Shulikov's 30-yard touchdown reception was his seventh career TD.
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Cam'ron Willis recorded his first forced fumble of the season; Teilor Tuioti logged his first fumble recovery and career-long 23-yard return.
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Jackson Irwin and Bronson Childs each recorded their first sack as Bengals.
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Idaho State outgained New Mexico in total offense, 386 to 371, and had more first downs (21 to 20).
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The Bengals held New Mexico to just 155 passing yards and forced one turnover on a fumble.
Next Up
Idaho State heads into a much-needed bye week before returning to action on Saturday, September 20, for the home opener vs. Lincoln University (CA). Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. MT inside the ICCU Dome.
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