Jordan Cooke throws four TDs as Idaho State defeats VMI 38-10
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho State University football team opened its season with a 38-10 victory over the Virginia Military Institute at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello. Quarterback Jordan Cooke led the Bengals with 325 passing yards and four touchdowns in the win.
After leading 10-0 at halftime, Idaho State scored 28 points in the second half to secure the blowout victory. The Idaho State defense held VMI to just 11 passing yard while allowing 229 rushing yards on 52 attempts, and allowed only one touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The Bengals took an early 3-0 lead after halting VMI on a fourth-down attempt during the opening drive of the game. Later in the second quarter, Cooke completed a deep sideline pass to Eli Aragon-Cruz to put Idaho State in the red zone. Two plays later, Cooke hit Julian “Juice” Mason for a touchdown to extend the lead to 10-0 heading into halftime.
Idaho State expanded its lead in the second half with 28 more points. Early in the third quarter, Cooke threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Chedon James. On the ensuing VMI possession, Jacob Perez blocked a punt that Noa Calaycay caught and returned for a touchdown, making the score 24-0. With 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter, Cooke connected with Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio for an 83-yard touchdown pass.
Idaho State quarterback Cooke spoke after the game about the offense's second-half surge following a slower start. “You just put the ball in play and do the things we're coached to do and, I mean, we know we're explosive and our offense is set up to... put up the stats we did and the points we did, and, I know if we just do that from the jump, then, there's no one that's going to stop us,” Cooke said.
Idaho State defensive coordinator Grant Duff emphasized the importance of the defense getting a quick stop on VMI's opening drive. “Heavens, we had seven defensive drives in the first half. So being able to get out of that first one was one of our goals. Get out of the first drive of each half, let the game slow down... it was huge. The energy was palpable. The guys responded, and getting that stop on fourth down… that's what the great teams do,” Duff said.
Despite the victory, Idaho State suffered a setback when fifth-year running back and 3rd-team STATS FCS preseason All-American Dason Brooks left the game with an apparent injury and did not return. Idaho State head coach Cody Hawkins provided some slight insight on the injury status following the contest. “I know it's not going to be an easy thing no matter what. But whether it's a long-long term, long term or intermediate term [injury]... It's not a short term thing right now, but I don't want to overstep any medical bounds. I know they're going to get that thing checked out tomorrow,” Hawkins said. It seems Brooks will miss at least some time.
Idaho State will travel to Logan, Utah, to face Utah State in its next game on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m., and the game will air live on CBS Sports Network.
