This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Weber State couldn't stop Idaho State senior quarterback Justin Arias on Saturday.
Arias completed 25 of 43 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Bengals to a 46-28 victory over the Wildcats at Holt Arena in Pocatello.
The win was Idaho State's first over Weber State since 2002. The Bengals finished the regular season with a record of 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the Big Sky Conference.
Weber State, under first-year coach Jay Hill, had a two-game winning streak snapped. The Wildcats finished 2-10 overall and 2-6 in league play, despite a superb performance by senior running back Bo Bolen.
In his final game, Bolen carried 27 times for 137 yards and a touchdown.
Idaho State owned a 19-14 lead in the second quarter, when Arias hit Madison Mangum with a 17-yard touchdown pass. Zak Johnson's 43-yard field goal as time expired bumped the Bengals' advantage to 29-14 at halftime.
Johnson's 28-yard field goal gave Idaho State a 39-28 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Bengals' Jakori Ford scored on a 9-yard run in the final minute to ice the victory.
Idaho State hopes the win over Weber State is enough to propel the Bengals into the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1983.
Twenty-four teams qualify, including 11 automatic berths for conference championships. An 11-member committee selects the final 13 teams.
Last year, four Big Sky teams qualified for the postseason, including four-loss Southern Utah.
This year, Eastern Washington (10-2, 7-1) has clinched the Big Sky's automatic bid. —
Storylines
R Justin Arias throws three touchdown passes as Idaho State rolls past Weber State.
• The Wildcats finish 2-10 overall and 2-6 in the Big Sky Conference under first-year coach Jay Hill.
• The victory is Idaho State's first over Weber State since the 2002 season.