Utah State secured a decisive 94-58 victory over Idaho State on Monday, Nov. 2, in the 2026-27 season opener at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The win marked the first game for head coach Ben Jacobson, who joined the Aggies on March 30, 2026, following a 20-season tenure at Northern Iowa.
Aggies Dominate Second Half
The Aggies utilized an explosive second-half performance to pull away from the Bengals, who had kept the contest competitive during the opening minutes. While Idaho State initially traded baskets with Utah State, the Aggies established a 37-29 halftime lead and eventually outscored the Bengals 57-29 in the second half to secure the 36-point win.
Bengals Offensive Leaders
Idaho State's offense was led by MaCarhy Morris, who recorded 15 points and five assists. Kenyon DeMuynck contributed 14 points, three rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Ike Palmer provided a significant boost from the bench, scoring 10 points on perfect shooting from both the field and the free-throw line.
New Era for Utah State
The victory for Utah State highlights a successful preseason, following three exhibition wins against Denver, Saint Mary's, and Santa Clara. This season also marks the Aggies' inaugural year as a member of the Pac-12 Conference, having previously spent 12 years in the Mountain West Conference. The program enters the season with a 90-32 all-time record in season openers.
Significant Roster Turnover
Idaho State entered the matchup with one of the most significant roster overhauls in NCAA Division I basketball. The program returns only two players from the 2025-26 squad: Quin Patterson and Landen Birley. The Bengals' roster features 10 underclassmen and 14 newcomers, representing a 87.5% replacement of last year's roster.
Key Returning Aggies
The Aggies' roster features key returning players including Mason Falslev and Karson Templin. Falslev, the former Mountain West Player of the Year, enters the season 31 points shy of 1,500 career points. Dallin Hall also enters the campaign just 14 points away from reaching 1,000 career points.
Historical Series Dominance
The historical series between the two programs favors Utah State, which holds an all-time record of 39-13 against Idaho State. The Aggies have won the last 17 consecutive meetings with the Bengals, including their most recent meeting on Nov. 19, 2016, in Logan.
Upcoming Schedules
Idaho State will continue its early-season schedule with a road matchup against Wyoming on Friday, Nov. 6, followed by a visit to the Air Force Academy on Sunday, Nov. 8. Utah State will next host Summit League foe Omaha on Saturday, Nov. 7.
