Bengals erupt in second half for big season-opening win

POCATELLO — Behind a big third quarter, the Idaho State Bengals turned a 10-0 halftime lead into a 38-10 home-opening victory over the Virginia Military Institute Saturday inside the ICCU Dome.

Idaho State (1-0, 0-0) relied on a stingy defensive effort in the first half. Grant Duff’s unit held the Keydets to just 65 yards of total offense in the first two quarters.

The Bengal defense kept things rolling in the third, holding VMI scoreless while blocking a punt and recovering it for a defensive touchdown. ISU’s offense found its footing in the third quarter, turning four possessions into three touchdowns.

After the game, head coach Cody Hawkins spoke about his offense’s slow start, and how VMI caused that by putting extra defenders in passing lanes.

“Any time you play an opponent that you have never seen any tape on, it takes you a little bit of time to get going,” the coach said. “I don’t know if we’ve had more drops in a football game since I’ve been here, but credit to them. When you’re dropping eight guys like that, you’re gonna have a lot of people around, and throwing windows are gonna be a little bit tighter.”

Hawkins also spoke about the complete effort of his defense, which allowed 229 rushing yards against VMI’s triple-option attack, but held Keydets to 11 passing yards.

“Dominant effort by the defense. Super proud of the way that they came out and handled their keys,” Hawkins said. “That defense has a shot to be legitimate, like we had talked about.”

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Bengals were more focused on running clock and staying healthy than scoring more points.

Health, though, was the one negative for Idaho State, who saw star running back Dason Brooks go down with an apparent knee injury. The Preseason All-American was tackled near the sideline on a first-half run and looked to immediately reach for his knee. He tried to get up but collapsed before getting fully upright and was eventually helped to the sideline.

Brooks did not return to the field.

While it took some time to get the passing game going, senior quarterback Jordan Cooke did eventually find his rhythm, finishing with 325 yards and four touchdowns while completing 18 of 29 pass attempts. He was intercepted once, though.

Senior Eli Aragon-Cruz was Cooke’s top target, with seven catches for 97 yards and one score.

Sophomore Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio was on the receiving end of the game’s biggest play, hauling in an 83-yard touchdown catch-and-run. Julian Mason and Chedon James were also on the receiving end of Cooke touchdown tosses.

True freshman Trehsyn Fesili was credited with a sack to lead the Bengal pass rush, while senior Nathan Reynolds led the team in tackles with eight.

After the strong start to their season, the Bengals will be back in action next week, when they visit Utah State University. Kick off is scheduled for 5 p.m., with the game to be broadcast nationally on CBS.