It takes just one play for momentum to swing from one team to the other.

    In Idaho State’s case, the Bengals needed four in a 29-3 win over Western State-Colorado, Saturday, in Holt Arena.

    Clinging to a 13-3 lead over the Mountaineers in the third quarter, and following a Justin Arias fumble that was returned to the ISU four-yard line, the Bengal defense faced a determined offense that had touchdown on its mind.

    Idaho State’s defensive front stuffed three straight run plays, and senior cornerback Cameron Gupton dislodged a sure touchdown pass from WSC quarterback Brett Arrivey.

    “When you’re at point-blank like that and you’re pushing at the pocket, you’re just hoping and praying that your guys are going to play with good eyes and we’re not going to let them in,” said Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer. “Not only did we play good on the run, we played good on the play-action pass.”

    The Bengals then drove 99 yards down the field for a touchdown of their own, putting the game all but out of reach for Western State.

    “We play off each other,” senior defensive end James Bergren said of ISU’s offense using momentum from the goal-line stand. “For us to have a big stop like that, and then score, it just goes hand-in-hand.”

    The Bengals kept the Mountaineers out of the endzone and only allowed a 43-yard field goal from Steven Ballard in the second quarter. It was the defensive performance Kramer had been looking for to help wash away the sins of last season.

    “To hold them, especially when we were at point-blank range, is indicative of the improvement we’ve made on our defense,” he said.

    Linebacker Mitch Beckstead led ISU with nine tackles. P.J. Gremaud added six, Kurt Karstetter five and Jake Pele four. The Bengals held Western State to 267 yards of offense, including 113 rushing yards on 31 attempts.

    And Idaho State needed its defense against Western State. Despite Justin Arias’ 37-of-54 performance with 436 yards and two touchdowns, the young Bengals appeared lackluster on offense. Twelve penalties for 167 were called on ISU.

    “We played with pretty good intensity (but) not a lot of intelligence,” Kramer said. “I think we played 11 sophomores, 11 freshmen, one junior and one senior on offense. That was a young crew out there, and they played like it today.

    “Justin played pretty well. He was under duress, some of it was self-imposed. He’ll play much better in weeks to come.”

    Sophomore running back Xavier Finney carried the ball 11 times for 48 yards.    

    “I’m pleased offensively,” Kramer said. “When you play so many sophomores, redshirt freshmen and true freshmen in your starting line up, you’re going to drop passes, you’re going to get penalties and you’re going to be up and down.”

    Placekicker Brendon Garcia hit three field goals in the win, including a 50-yarder late in the fourth quarter. He is now 7 for 7 on the season.

    “For the second week in a row, we’re a football team that’s lived by our placekicker,” Kramer said. “It’s great to have Brendon here.”

    Idaho State improves its record to 2-0 this year, the first time it has started a season with two wins since 1999.

    “It’s a good thing to see, (but) we have a long ways to go,” Pele said. “It’s good that we’re 2-0 and only allowed three points.”

    The Bengals travel to Seattle next week to face No. 19 Washington at Husky Stadium. It is scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m., Mountain Standard Time.

    “It’s been a long time since we’ve won two in a row,” Kramer said. “We’ve done it once before; we’ve done it again; now let’s see if we can play well for the rest of the season.”