Idaho State Wins on Two Late Defensive Touchdowns at Utah Tech
Utah Tech outgained Idaho State 424 yards to 255 and lost by seven. Here is how that works: Idaho State scored 14 of its 34 points on defense in the last eight minutes, a 32-yard fumble return and a 43-yard interception return. Take those away and it is Utah Tech 27, Idaho State 20.
The home team was in charge early. Mike Williams caught a 79-yard touchdown pass from Bronson Barben in the first quarter, and Barben ran one in from 6 yards to make it 14-0. Idaho State's Jordan Cooke then threw a 4-yard touchdown to Tommy Poe, Mason Lindberg kicked field goals of 47 and 27 yards, and Max Shepherd kicked one in between, so the visitors trailed only 17-13 at the half.
Poe put Idaho State ahead 20-17 with a 26-yard catch early in the third. Darnell O'Quinn's 9-yard touchdown reception put Utah Tech back in front, and the home team led 24-20 after the last play of the third quarter. Shepherd added a 31-yard field goal with 10:43 left to make it 27-20.
Then the turnovers took over. Zion To'oto'o scooped up a fumble and returned it 32 yards for the tying score at 7:54. Trehsyn Fesili's interception return with 0:55 left made it 34-27, and it was over. Barben threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles, four giveaways from one quarterback. He still set his season high in fantasy points. Strange afternoon.
Idaho State is 5-3 and Utah Tech is 1-7. Barben and Poe were the two most valuable players on the field, and they were on opposite sides.