On a day for comebacks, Montana State overcame an early deficit to beat Idaho State 41-10 in Bobcat Stadium on Saturday.
MSU senior running back Aaron Mason came back from two weeks off due to a concussion to rush for 108 yards, while senior quarterback Mark Iddins came off the bench to throw for 169 yards.
MSU's kicking game even resurfaced. After punter Eric Fisher and kicker Jason Cunningham both missed last week's game due to the flu, Cunningham connected on both his field goal tries and Fisher punted three times for a 46.0 yard average.
"I'm really excited with the way we finished the game," MSU coach Rob Ash said. "It feels good to get the win."
Idaho State held the ball nearly eight minutes to start the game, capping a 15 play drive with a 16-yard pass from Russel Hill to Roderick Rumble. After the teams traded punts, Cunningham connected on a 34-yard field goal. After Jarret Huk's 46-yard field goal restored ISU's seven-point cushion, the Bobcats scored two touchdowns and a field goal in the last 4:07 of the first half to blow the game open.
With 4:07to play in the half, CJ Palmer rumbled in from two yards to tie the game at 10. MSU's defense forced an apparent three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but a roughing the punter call extended ISU's drive. On the first play after the penalty, Brad Daly forced a Clint Knickrehm fumble, and Darius Jones snared it and raced 32 yards for the touchdown.
Leading 17-10, MSU gave itself another scoring opportunity when Kevin Retoriano intercepted a Hill pass with 1:02 to play in the half. Cunningham connected on a 41-yard field goal to give MSU a 20-10 halftime lead.
Montana State finished the day with 236 rushing yards, and 488 yards of total offense. The Bobcats not only limited Idaho State to 144 yards, including just 17 on the ground, but forced a pair of Bengal turnovers.
Montana State raised its record to 5-3 with the win, 3-2 in the Big Sky, while Idaho State fell to 0-9 overall, 0-6 in the league.
