The loss dropped Sacramento State to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in Big Sky Conference games. ISU improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in league.

The turnover barrage started early for the Hornets as Ryan Mole fumbled the opening kickoff at the 18-yard line. Idaho State was only able to move the ball one yard but settled for a 34-yard field goal from Jaret Johnson to take a 3-0 lead 19 seconds into the game.

Sacramento State answered right back as the team marched 71 yards capped by a 24-yard field goal from Juan Gamboa. During the drive, the Hornets received a 15-yard run from Kris Daniels and a 17-yard reception from Bobby Mooshagian.

Idaho State retook the lead for a final time on its next possession. The Bengals started on their 36-yard line and Ken Cornist scampered 26 yards on the first play to move the ball into Hornet territory. After advancing to the 29-yard line, wide receiver Eddie Thompson lined up at quarterback, took the snap and ran 9-yards, Thompson then pitched to Barnett who finished the score with a 20-yard dash down the sideline.

Following a fumble by Ryan Coogler and an Idaho State punt, Chris Hurd was intercepted by Anthony Melvin at the Hornet 32-yard line. Barnett picked up 17 yards on two carries and Luke Sniewski found Shedrack Okoebor for a 15-yard touchdown pass to give ISU a 17-3 lead with 4:31 left to play in the first quarter.

The Hornets tried to respond on the next drive with Brad Tredway at quarterback. The senior guided the offense to the Bengal 38-yard line but fumbled the snap on 4th-and-1 giving the ball back to the Bengals.

Neither team was able to move the ball in the second quarter as the only turnover came when Brett Shelton intercepted Sniewski near midfield. In fact, Hurd was 0-for-8 in the quarter while Sniewski was 2-for-8.

Sacramento State started the second half strong, traveling 60 yards on its opening drive. The final play of the drive came from the 4-yard line where Hurd faked a handoff and then lofted the ball to a wide open McRuben Fleurinord to make the score 17-10 in favor of ISU.

The Hornet defense stopped Idaho State on three plays and the offense found a big play on a 23-yard reception from Ryan Mole. With a 1st-and-10 at the ISU 32, Hurd was pressured by three Bengals and eventually had the ball jarred out of his hands by Jeff Charleston. The ball was nearly caught by a prone Hurd but deflected away from him and into the hands of Melvin who ran 53 yards for a touchdown.

Two plays later, Sacramento State fumbled again as Ryan Coogler was stripped by Zach Raphael and the ball was recovered by Terrance Calloway. That turnover led to a 28-yard field goal from Johnson to push the Bengal lead to 27-10.

The Hornets, again, tried to climb back into the game after senior Brandon Smith intercepted Sniewski and was untouched during his 55-yard return for his first career touchdown. However, the team could pull no closer and Idaho Sate ran out the clock with a 7:06 drive to end the game.

As a team, Sacramento State finished with 223 yards of total offense while Idaho State had 267. The Bengals also dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 33:16 compared to 26:44.

Daniels led the Hornet ground game with 55 yards on 13 carries. Mole was held to 24 yards on eight attempts. Hurd finished 13-of-33 for 150 yards. Coogler was his top target, catching six passes for 54 yards. Freshman Bobby Mooshagian had four grabs for a team-high 58 yards.

Aside from Barnett’s 122 rushing yards, Cornist added 66 and Thompson had 23. Sniewski, who was making his first collegiate start, was 12-for-27 for 75 yards. Okoebor had four catches for 24 yards while Thompson added 41 yards on three receptions.

Defensively, Sacramento State’s Matt Logue and Idaho State’s Pago Togafau lived up to their reputations as two of the Big Sky’s top tacklers. Logue had a season-high13 total tackles, including one for loss. Togafau had 11 stops, including seven solo.

Sacramento State continues its homestand on Saturday, Oct. 29, against Eastern Washington at 4:05 p.m.