No. 23 Bengals earn FBS upset at Utah State
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POCATELLO — The Idaho State Bengals, who jumped into the FCS national rankings after a season-opening win last week, improved to 2-0 Saturday with a 29-17 road victory over the Pac-12’s Utah State University Aggies.
The Bengals last beat Utah State in 2000. The two teams met in 2023, with the Aggies winning 74-28.
Idaho State (2-0, 0-0) got an efficient effort from quarterback Jordan Cooke and a balanced running attack. But it was the Bengal defense that shone brightest in the upset win.
ISU combined for three sacks, including two more from true freshman and reigning Bis Sky Defensive Player of the Week Trehsyn Fesili, and four interceptions, including two from sophomore TreShawn Shorty. Shorty also forced a fumble in his breakout performance.
The Bengals scored on each of their first four possessions, grabbing a 16-7 advantage.
Utah State, though, battled back to take a 17-16 lead late in the third quarter, after ISU went three-and-out on back-to-back possessions.
That was when the Bengal defense took the game over, stopping five consecutive Aggie drives on either interceptions of fourth-down stops.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Jordan Cooke completed 18 off 33 pass attempts for 152 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for a score.
In the absence of Preseason All-American running back Dason Brooks, five difference Bengals got carries, accruing 114 yards and one score on 30 carries.
Receiver Julian Mason was Cooke’s top receiving target, hauling in seven passes for 75 yards. Preseason All-American receiver Chedon James grabbed his first touchdown of the season.
Linebacker Nathan Reynolds was the Bengals’ leading tackler, with 17. Jacob Perez and Troy Wilkey each intercepted passes.
The Bengals will be back at home on Saturday, hosting the University of San Diego. Kick off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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