The Idaho State defense often takes its share of criticism.

But nobody was bad-mouthing that Bengal defense Saturday night.

Rallying behind the tackling of safeties Jayden Bell and Mason Young, and feeding off several big momentum-changing plays, it held Sacramento State to just a pair of field goals in the second half to escape the ICCU Dome with a 30-27 overtime victory.

“This whole week during practice, we emphasized finishing,” said ISU defensive back Tylor Bohannon, who forced a Sac State fumble and had five tackles. “So when it came down tight in the fourth quarter, we just emphasized finishing. Don’t bend. Don’t fall. Just finish. Don’t give up in a tight game, just finish.”

For a while, it looked like the Bengals were going to fritter away yet another opportunity in a winnable game, just like in their recent back-to-back losses to Portland State and Northern Arizona. But despite giving up a 75-yard, 11-play drive in the last one-minute and 35 seconds of regulation, the Bengal defense rose up and held Sac State to a Zach Schreiner field goal to send the game to overtime. The Hornets had a first down at the ISU 9 with 26 seconds left, but couldn’t dent the end zone.

Then in the OT period, ISU held the Hornets to yet another Schreiner field goal, opening the door to get a win with a touchdown. A Sac State pass interference penalty moved the ball to the 10 yard-line, and on first down, senior receiver Jeff Weimer lined up wide right, broke in, then out and beat man-to-man coverage for a touchdown catch from Kobe Tracy in the right corner of the end zone.

“I think we set it up throughout the game,” said Weimer. “We ran a lot of in-breaking routes. ... We stem in, settle and then break out. I knew as the game went on, that that would be a good play for us.”

The Bengal defense made several key plays throughout the contest, including a 53-yard touchdown return on a fumble recovery by linebacker Nathan Reynolds, a forced fumble by Bohannon of Sac State back Curron Borders right as he was about to cross into the end zone and a spectacular interception by defensive back Adonijah Richards in the end zone that was originally ruled a touchdown catch by the Hornet receiver.

“Nathan Reynolds has emerged as a cultural and physical force for good on our team,” said ISU head coach Cody Hawkins. “Tylor Bohannon and Nijah Richards’ plays were as big as any in the game. Really proud of all of them.”

ISU defensive end Logan George was particularly active, racking up three tackles-for-a loss and a sack. Safeties Bell and Young led ISU in tackles with 13 and 11, respectively, and linebackers Adrian Rodriguez and Kris Sanchez combined for 11 tackles.

“Our defense was outstanding,” added Hawkins. “Their ability to create turnovers completely changed the game. Modern football neglects total defense, and rewards those that get the ball back or force teams to kick field goals. Our boys on defense did that in a big way tonight.”

Bohannon said the ISU defense benefitted from the areas it emphasized during practice this week.

“One of the turnovers I had was just punching at the ball,” said Bohannon. “During practice this week, we emphasized punching at the ball. ... So every time we were punching at the ball. Both things we emphasized this week, we capitalized on.”

The offense, meanwhile, was hit and miss for most of the night. The Bengals had an opportunity to put a little cushion between themselves and Sac State on a drive in the fourth quarter. But three straight runs by Hunter Hays inside the 3-yard line failed to threaten the end zone and ISU turned the ball over to Sac State on downs.

Later in the quarter, ISU appeared to put the game on ice when punter Ross Bolger raced for a first down on a fake punt attempt. But with less than two minutes remaining in the game and up by a field goal, the Bengals failed to get another first down, again seeing Hays stuffed on a quarterback keeper on a third and short, giving Sac State the ball with 1:35 remaining following a punt.

Wide receivers Weimer and Christian Fredricksen were the stars when the offense did move. Fredricksen caught 10 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, of 24 and 42 yards. Weimer had six catches for 95 yards and the game-winning TD catch. Tracy finished 24-of-38 for 296 yards and three touchdowns.

“I think our defense really did a great job today,” Fredricksen. “They put us on their shoulders and carried us.”

With the win, ISU moved to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the Big Sky Conference. The Bengals now have their most wins in six years with still three games to go. The Hornets fall to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play. ISU is off next week before resuming play at Weber State on Nov. 9.