Weber State football secured a 27-20 victory over No. 21 Idaho State on Oct. 16 at Stewart Stadium in Ogden. The win marks the Wildcats' 50th all-time victory against the Bengals and their first win of the Train Bell Trophy since its 2024 reinstatement.
The game featured significant defensive plays and a late offensive surge. Weber State's defense recorded two critical fourth-down stops in the fourth quarter. Offensively, Nate Dahle led a touchdown drive with 1:11 remaining to help seal the win.
Early in the game, Robert Young scored the program's first punt-return touchdown in four years with a 68-yard return. In the first quarter, Idaho State's Treshyn Fesili returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown. By halftime, the Bengals held a 14-6 lead following a 32-yard touchdown pass from Davis Harsin to Julian Mason.
The second half saw a shift in momentum after Weber State's offense struggled in the first half, managing only 141 total yards. Spencer Ferguson contributed 133 yards on 16 carries, including runs of 22 and 25 yards, to lead a 91-yard touchdown drive capped by a 2-yard run from Seth Rigtrup.
Noah Kjar caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Dahle in the third quarter to give Weber State a 19-14 lead. Idaho State responded with a touchdown pass from Cooke to Tommy Poe, making the score 20-19. However, Weber State responded with a touchdown drive featuring a 2-yard rush by Ferguson and a two-point conversion pass from Dahle to Tate Kjar.
Weber State head coach Eric Kjar noted that the team has continued to improve week in, week out. Linebacker Teni Worthen stated the team has come together as a unit following a previous loss to Portland State.
Defensively, Teni Worthen recorded 12 tackles, while Da’Veon Ross and Jayden Mayberry each recorded 10 tackles. Nate Dahle finished the game completing 18 of 33 passes for 173 yards.
Following this victory, Weber State moves to a 5-3 overall record. The Wildcats face Montana State on an upcoming road trip.
