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POCATELLO, Idaho (September 24, 2016) – The Idaho State Bengals and the Sacramento State Hornets entered their conference opener looking to find their footing.
Both struggled to find consistency and identity in the non-conference schedule, with most of the losses coming on the road, against FBS opponents. However, the start of #BigSkyFB conference play proved to be a new beginning for both teams, but especially the Idaho State Bengals.
After scoring only 14 points in two games against Pac-12 opponents,
the Bengals earned a 42-34 home victory over Sacramento State.
Bengals quarterback Tanner Gueller threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, while Idaho State running back Michael Dean rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals jumped out to a 21-0 lead, until Sacramento State scored two quick touchdowns, trailing 21-14 at halftime.
The Hornets drove to open the third quarter, until the Bengals stopped the Sac State drive. Then, Idaho State scored twice, opening up a 35-17 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Sacramento State quarterback Nate Ketteringham threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns.
Cal Poly 42, Montana 41 – Cal Poly overcame an early 17-7 deficit, coming back for a late win over the No. 6 Montana Grizzlies.
Cal Poly fullback Joe Protheroe, the reigning #BigSkyFB Offensive Player of the Week, rushed for 90 yards, and Mustangs quarterback Dano Graves threw for 157 yards and three touchdowns. Graves threw the go-ahead, 39-yard pass to Kyle Lewis, giving Cal Poly a lead with 4:29 remaining.
Even in a loss, Montana receiver Jerry Louie-McGee made Montana, and #BigSkyFB, history, with 21 catches. Louie-McGee’s performance equals the previous high of 21, which was set by Montana State’s David Prandt in 1985. Montana quarterback Brady Gustafson threw for 418 yards and two touchdowns, with both going to Louie-McGee.
The Mustangs, who were unranked this week, have now beaten a ninth-ranked team, and a sixth-ranked team, in back-to-back weeks.
Eastern Washington 50, Northern Arizona 35 – Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona are both known for scoring points, but it was the nation’s leading passing attack that had the last laugh in the first week of conference play.
The Eastern Washington Eagles finished with 540 yards of offense, as they outscored Northern Arizona 28-14 in the second half. The Eagles led the Lumberjacks, 22-21, at halftime.
Back in the starting quarterback role, Eagles quarterback Gage Gabrud threw for 392 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Also, Cooper Kupp, after missing Eastern’s win over Northern Iowa, came back to catch 11 passes for 111 yards.
The Eastern Washington defense also had a sharp performance, forcing three Lumberjacks turnovers. One of those forced turnovers was an interception of NAU quarterback Case Cookus, who threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns.
North Dakota 17, Montana State 15 – The North Dakota Fighting Hawks played a defensive game, and won a defensive game.
The Fighting Hawks forced five Montana State turnovers, intercepting Bobcats quarterback Tyler Bruggman three different times, including a key interception in the fourth quarter.
Montana State held a 6-0 lead with 12:04 to go in the second quarter, after Gabe Peppenger hit a 24-yard field goal. However, North Dakota’s Brady Oliviera answered with a two-yard touchdown run, giving the Fighting Hawks a 7-6 halftime lead.
The two teams traded leads, until Oliviera had a 60-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, icing the game for the Fighting Hawks.
Oliviera rushed for 171 yards on 22 carries, scoring both of North Dakota’s touchdowns. The Bobcats finished with 375 yards of offense.
Southern Utah 45, Portland State 31 – A dominating second quarter lifted the defending #BigSkyFB champs to a win to open conference play.
With Portland State leading 10-7 early in the second quarter, Southern Utah scored 24 straight points, starting on a 90-yard connection from Patrick Tyler to Mike Sharp. Sharp also caught a 24-yard scoring pass from Tyler later in the quarter.
It was an offensive contest, with the two teams combining for 1,050 yards. However, it was the Thunderbirds’ defense that made impact plays, as Southern Utah forced five Vikings turnovers, including four interceptions of PSU quarterback Alex Kuresa.
Tyler finished with 249 passing yards and two scores, to go with two interceptions. Southern Utah running back Malik Brown rushed for 173 yards, including an 87-yard scoring run late in the third quarter.
Weber State 38, UC Davis 35 – Special teams is sometimes overlooked, but a big plan can change a game.
UC Davis had a furious second-half comeback, as they tied the Weber State Wildcats, 35-35, late in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats were punting to UC Davis with seconds left, surely sending the game to overtime.
However, a muffed punt saw the Wildcats get a shot at victory, with Weber kicker Taylor Hintze hitting a 35-yard, game-winning field goal as time expired.
The Wildcats controlled the momentum of the game for much of the game, taking a 32-13 lead in the fourth quarter. However, UC Davis went on a 22-3 run, knotting the game at 35-35 late.
The Wildcats gained 458 yards of offense, with two turnovers- both Jadrian Clark interceptions. Wildcats running back Treshawn Garrett rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown.
UC Davis quarterback Ben Scott threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns.