LOGAN, Utah — Idaho State overcame a yardage deficit by forcing four turnovers and getting a perfect performance from kicker Mason Lindberg, defeating Utah State 29-17 on Saturday night at Maverik Stadium.
The Bengals improved to 2-0 by scoring the final 13 points of the game and capitalizing on Utah State mistakes. The Aggies finished with 407 total yards, but four interceptions repeatedly ended promising drives and kept them from turning their offensive production into points.
Lindberg converted all five of his field-goal attempts, including kicks from 48, 43 and 41 yards, and finished with 17 points. Idaho State also avoided a turnover of its own, giving the Bengals the decisive advantage in a game Utah State controlled statistically.
“We kept fighting and kept believing,” Idaho State coach Cody Hawkins said. “Our guys did a great job of staying together when things weren’t necessarily going our way.”
Utah State opened the scoring with a touchdown pass from McCae Hillstead to Eli Wood, but Idaho State responded with a pair of Lindberg field goals and a 1-yard touchdown run by Jordan Cooke to take a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter.
The Bengals extended their advantage to 16-7 on Lindberg’s third field goal before Utah State answered with a late field goal to make it 16-10 at halftime.
The Aggies took their first lead of the game in the third quarter when Hillstead connected with Demick Starling on a 4-yard touchdown pass, putting Utah State ahead 17-16. Idaho State answered before the quarter ended when Lindberg knocked through a 43-yard field goal to regain a 19-17 lead.
The game’s turning point came late in the third quarter when Idaho State’s TreShawn Shorty intercepted Hillstead and returned the Bengals to the Utah State 3-yard line. Idaho State turned the takeaway into a touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Cooke connected with Chedon James on an 8-yard scoring pass.
That touchdown gave Idaho State a 26-17 advantage and shifted momentum firmly to the visitors.
Utah State had opportunities to respond, but the Bengals’ defense continued to make plays. Troy Wilkey intercepted Hillstead in the end zone with just over 10 minutes remaining, ending another Aggies scoring threat.
“We had opportunities, and we didn’t capitalize on them,” Utah State coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “When you turn the ball over four times against a good football team, it’s going to be difficult to win.”
Hillstead threw three interceptions, while Idaho State quarterback Jordan Cooke threw for 152 yards and a touchdown without committing a turnover. The Bengals’ defense also stopped Utah State on three of four fourth-down attempts.
Lindberg added his fifth field goal with 4:39 remaining to put the game out of reach. Utah State’s final possession ended with another interception, completing a night in which Idaho State consistently turned Aggies mistakes into points.
Idaho State improved to 2-0 and will host San Diego next Saturday. Utah State fell to 0-1 and will travel to face No. 17 Washington on Sept. 12.