Idaho State Gamenotes | Portland State Gamenotes | Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Tickets
Idaho State (4-3, 1-3 Big Sky) vs. Portland State (2-5, 2-2 Big Sky)
ICCU Dome | Pocatello, ID
4:00 PM MT - Kickoff on ESPN+
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM | KISU.org (Scott Gross)
POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State returns home to host Portland State on Saturday at the ICCU Dome. Kickoff is set for 4:00 PM MT on ESPN+.
The Bengals are coming off a 27-20 loss at Weber State, decided on a Wildcat touchdown with 1:10 left. Trehsyn Fesili returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown, Bronson Childs blocked a field goal, and Davis Harsin threw for 145 yards and a score and ran for 83 yards in relief. Idaho State's three losses have come by a combined 15 points, and the Bengals are 2-2 at home this season.
Idaho State leads the all-time series 27-20-1 and is 16-7-1 at home against the Vikings. Portland State won the last meeting, 42-38 in Pocatello in 2024, a year after Idaho State won 38-24 in Portland. The teams did not meet in 2025. Idaho State has scored at least 38 points in five of the last six meetings.
Quick Look at the Vikings
Portland State enters 2-5 overall and 2-2 in league play. The Vikings opened with a 31-24 Big Sky loss to UC Davis, then lost at San Diego State (53-20), to North Dakota (47-23) and at Oregon (84-0). They won 44-41 at Weber State and beat Utah Tech 30-14 before losing 38-25 at Northern Arizona last week.
Running back Delon Thompson has 616 rushing yards and four touchdowns, including 213 yards and three scores in the win at Weber State. Quarterback Tyrese Smith has completed 52 of 85 passes for 617 yards and two touchdowns in three games and has run for four scores. Terence Loville leads the receivers with 32 catches for 491 yards. Zui Shelton returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown at Weber State, and Cru Newman has a 78-yard punt return touchdown.
Isaac Redford leads the defense with 54 tackles and two interceptions. Jaxton Helmstetler has 51 tackles and a Big Sky-leading three fumble recoveries, Avery Ducsik has a team-high four sacks and two forced fumbles, and Terahiti Wolfe has two interceptions.
Portland State averages 23.7 points and 127.9 rushing yards per game. It allows 44.0 points and 523.3 yards per game, both last in the Big Sky, and is plus-2 in turnover margin.
Bengal Bites
Trehsyn Fesili was named to the Jerry Rice Award watch list, given to the top freshman in the FCS. He has three sacks, five tackles for loss and a 50-yard pick-six this season.
Mason Lindberg was named to the Fred Mitchell Award watch list, which honors the top place-kicker outside the FBS. His 1.86 field goals per game lead the Big Sky and rank fourth in the FCS.
Idaho State leads the series 27-20-1, but Portland State has won eight of the 13 meetings since 2010.
Both teams have played Weber State and Northern Arizona. Portland State won 44-41 at Weber State, where Idaho State lost 27-20. Northern Arizona scored 38 points against both teams.
Idaho State's two defensive touchdowns rank second nationally. Both came from defensive linemen: Collin Lewis against San Diego and Fesili at Weber State.
Idaho State leads the Big Sky in passing yards allowed (175.3 per game) and pass efficiency defense, which ranks eighth nationally.
Idaho State averages 286.3 passing yards per game, ninth nationally. Portland State allows 319.9 passing yards per game, the most in the Big Sky.
Jordan Cooke has 7,251 career passing yards, fifth in program history and 279 behind Russel Hill for fourth. His 43 career touchdown passes moved him past Mark Hetherington.
Idaho State has outscored opponents 77-31 in the third quarter. Portland State has been outscored 102-31 in the fourth quarter.
Idaho State was penalized once for 13 yards at Weber State. Its 4.14 penalties per game rank third nationally.
Julian Mason has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games and leads Idaho State with five receiving touchdowns.
Portland State allows 30.0 yards per kickoff return and has given up two kickoff return touchdowns.
NUMBERS TO WATCH
27-20-1: Idaho State's all-time series lead.
42-38: Portland State's win in the last meeting, in Pocatello in 2024.
2: Defensive touchdowns for Idaho State, second nationally.
175.3: Passing yards allowed per game by Idaho State, the fewest in the Big Sky.
1.86: Field goals per game for Lindberg, leading the Big Sky.
7,251: Career passing yards for Cooke, fifth in program history.
77-31: Idaho State's scoring margin in the third quarter this season.
616: Rushing yards for Portland State's Delon Thompson.
44.0: Points allowed per game by Portland State, the most in the Big Sky.
3: Straight games with a touchdown catch for Julian Mason.
