No. 23 Idaho State Rallies Past Utah Tech With Late Defensive Touchdowns

Defensive Fireworks Erase a Late Deficit in St. George

On Saturday, a pair of late defensive scores helped Idaho State overcome a seven-point deficit and secure a 34-27 past Utah Tech 34-27 triumph. Idaho State took a decidedly more aggressive route on Saturday afternoon in St. George, Utah, turning opposing miscues directly into the end zone twice inside the final eight minutes to swipe a 34-27 victory against Utah Tech.

The No. 23 Bengals found themselves staring down a 27-20 deficit when Zion To’oto’o altered the trajectory of the game in a flash. To’oto’o sacked Utah Tech quarterback Bronson Barben, recovered the fumble and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 27-27 with just 7:54 remaining on the clock.

With the clock winding down to a mere 55 seconds, Trehsyn Fesili intercepted Barben’s pass and returned it 43 yards for the winning touchdown, capping a frantic fourth-quarter rally.

Overcoming Early Struggles in the Big Sky

The late-game heroics masked a sluggish start for the visiting Bengals, who currently sit at 6-3 overall and 3-3 in Big Sky conference play. Utah Tech jumped out to a 14-0 advantage in the opening quarter, putting the ranked visitors on their heels early.

UTAH TECH: @UtahTech_Sports 17, Idaho State 10, 2nd qtr. Shepherd's 35-yard FG stopped a 10-0 Idaho State run. Barben is 12 of 14 for 186 yards.

— https://x.com/MtnSportsMedia/status/2116625861827031238

Working through quarterback Jordan Cooke and wide receiver Tommy Poe, Idaho State gradually chipped away at the deficit. Poe hauled in scoring strikes of 4 and 26 yards from Cooke, with the latter connection putting the Bengals ahead 20-17 during the third quarter.

The seesaw battle continued even after Idaho State grabbed the lead. Utah Tech answered back when Barben tossed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Darnell O’Quinn, followed by a 31-yard field goal from kicker Max Shepherd. That sequence pushed the home side back in front at 27-20, setting up the frantic defensive collapse in the game’s dying minutes.

Stat Lines and Turnover Trouble

Barben finished the afternoon throwing for 260 yards and two touchdowns for Utah Tech, which dropped its record to 1-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play. Yet, those offensive gains were undone by four turnovers.

Beyond the two backbreaking defensive scores in the closing minutes, Idaho State’s secondary had already tasted success earlier in the contest. Titan Saxton recorded his first career interception for Idaho State in the second quarter.

On the offensive side of the ledger, Cooke managed 178 yards through the air paired with his two touchdowns to Poe, who caught seven passes for 96 yards and both scores.

What Lies Ahead for Both Programs

The narrow escape pushes Idaho State deeper into the heart of its conference schedule with very little time to catch its breath. The Bengals host Montana State next Saturday.