ISU Bengal

Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Sports

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On Saturday afternoon 5,925 people witnessed history. Idaho State picked up another much needed conference win at the expense of Portland State.

After years of success in domes with the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons, Jerry Glanville came to Holt Arena hoping to continue that success.

Glanville is believed to be the first person to coach in the first professional dome, the Astrodome, as well as the first collegiate dome, Holt Arena.

Portland State started the scoring with a 22 yard field goal, capping an 11 play 55- yard drive. Russell Hill then threw an interception that was returned 30 yards for a Viking touchdown and a 10 - 0 lead.

Portland State again drove the ball inside the ISU five yard line and had to settle for a 19 yard field goal and a 13 - 0 lead with 6:18 left in the half.

On their final possession of the half the Bengals were finally able to put some points on the board, kicking a 37 yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining. Leading the Bengals into halftime trailing 13 - 3.

The defense had played solidly the first half, allowing only 6 points, causing one turnover, and sacking the Viking's quarterback five times.

As good as the first half was, it was only a foreshadowing of things to come. Portland State received the opening kickoff and started driving down the field. ISU was able to force a fumble and then looked to have new life. However, on the first play after the fumble, Hill had his pass tipped and intercepted.

A collective "Here we go again" could be felt throughout the crowd. But Saturday was different, instead of folding after the big turnover, this time the Bengals stood tall.

Two plays later the Bengal defense forced another fumble that Micah Cloward recovered and raced 65 yards for a touchdown and a school record for the longest fumble return in Idaho State history. Trailing 13 - 10 the Bengal defense was back on the field.

The Vikings started driving, but six plays and 41 yards later they fumbled again. This time Sterling Mennear grabbed the ball and ran 76 yards to the endzone, shattering Cloward's 11 minute old record.

Leading 17 - 13 the Bengal defense forced a PSU punt which the offense turned into a nine play, 53 yard drive capped by a Hill to Taylor touchdown pass. After another punt the Bengals, now unstoppable, drove 55 yards in six plays culminating in a Clint Knickrehm two yard touchdown and a 31 - 13 lead.

Idaho State tied a school record for the most points scored in the third quarter and scored the second most points in any quarter in school history.

After the dust settled and everything was said and done, the Idaho State Bengals had forced six turnovers, five fumbles and one interception in the endzone.

Josh Barnett broke Merrill Hoge's school record for carries in a career and tied Alfredo Anderson's school record with 13 - 100 yard rushing games in his career.

The Bengals scored 38 unanswered points taking a 13 point deficit and turning it into a 38 - 13 lead, closing out the game with a 38 - 20 victory.

45,000 people in Pocatello and thousands more in the surrounding area missed a historic day at the Holt, a day in which the local athletes shone.

The Bengals made a statement Saturday. They let the conference know that they aren't a team to be overlooked and they let the community know that they are a team that deserves to be watched.

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