Idaho State seeks first win over Utah State since 2000

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)- The Idaho State Bengals hit the road for the first time this season to take on the Utah State Aggies on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. Idaho State enters the game ranked No. 23 in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 after opening its season with a 38-10 victory against VMI.

Utah State enters Saturday's contest in its first season as a member of the Pac-12 Conference under second-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Idaho State, led by fourth-year head coach Cody Hawkins, is seeking its first victory over Utah State since Nov. 18, 2000. Utah State holds a 19-2 lead in the all-time series between the two programs.

Idaho State Defensive Coordinator Grant Duff highlighted the team's focus and defensive depth heading into Saturday's game. “You can't really spend any time enjoying your victories because it's on to the next,” Duff said. “We got to get prepared, got to come in, keep focused on our process, stay humble, stay hungry and we gotta land a couple haymakers just like we do against any good team.”

Duff added that team unity would be critical during difficult moments in the game. “There will be a storm in this game,” Duff said. “And we got to weather it. And we can only do that together.” Duff also praised the unit's rotation.

“D-line as a whole is, probably the bedrock of our defense,” Duff said. “Those guys carry our culture. They they push the effort. This is one of the deeper teams I've been on from top to bottom, the separation between our one and our three isn't, you know, isn't that far. That's a that's a good problem. We've got some inexperience, but the ability and talent levels are all all quite there.”

Idaho State must also adjust on offense after running back Dason Brooks suffered a season-ending injury. Hawkins discussed the challenge of playing without Brooks. “It absolutely changes the offense,” Hawkins said. “I think our our running back room is ready for the challenge.”

Hawkins specifically noted Brooks' impact on pass protection. “What Dason was able to do from a pass protection standpoint is probably the most apparent, just because he was so unbelievable at that,” Hawkins said. “You can't replace days with one guy, But I think with that room and the standard that Dason set, those guys will step up to the plate and they'll be ready to go.”

Despite the injury, Hawkins expressed confidence in the team's overall depth. “This is probably the deepest receiver room that we've had since I've been here,” Hawkins said. “We probably have eight guys that are capable of starting football games for us and producing.” Hawkins added that multiple players could earn honors. “I think we have multiple lines of guys that could be all conference players for us on the D-line and at receiver,” Hawkins said.

Utah State Head Coach Mendenhall praised Idaho State's passing attack and low sack totals. “Idaho State has a nice offensive system and it's really well established,” Mendenhall said. “They execute it well, for as many times as they throw the ball. Only two sacks total on the entire year last year. I'm impressed.”

Mendenhall stated that his squad expects a competitive matchup. “I think it'll be a really challenging game,” Mendenhall said. “You don't really need to look farther from their opener against UNLV last year and game two or three against New Mexico, where they were, in the lead or toe to toe, right to the very end with a great chance to win the game. So we're preparing for a very difficult game.”

Kickoff between Idaho State and Utah State is scheduled for 5 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 5.