Game 5 Preview: Idaho State at Eastern Washington

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POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State football team plays at No. 2 Eastern Washington on Saturday, October 4.  Kickoff is at 2:35 p.m. (MDT). Jerry Miller and Mark Liptak will call the action on 930 CBS Sports Radio and Rock 102.5. The pregame show starts at 1:30 p.m. (MDT).

Eastern Washington boasts the top offense in the Big Sky Conference. The Eagles are averaging 47.6 points a game and 567.4 yards of total offense. Eastern averages 194.2 yards on the ground and 373 in the air. The defense gives up 33.6 points a game.

Eastern Washington leads the series 26-9. ISU's last win over the Eagles was a 34-30 win in Pocatello in 2005. That game was also the last time ISU beat a nationally ranked team as Eastern was ranked No. 5. Eastern Washington has won the last seven meetings.  Idaho State has not won at Eastern Washington since 2002.

Returning to their Roots
The Bengals boast three players from Spokane in Kurt Karstetter, Cody Sorensen and Drew Sharkey. The Bengals boast 16 players on the 2014 roster that are from the state of Washington. Also of note, Sorensen's father, Paul, is a color analyst for the Eastern Washington radio crew.
Bengals from the state of Washington: Tanner Gueller, Michael Tate, KW Williams, CJ Langlow, Joe Martin, Cody Sorensen, Tate Razor, Kurt Karstetter, Micah Breland, Derek Berrey, Chris Miedema, Thomas Vazorka, Chase Collins, CJ Hatchett, Drew Sharkey and Austin Graves.

Bengals vs. Ranked Opponents
The last time Idaho State defeated a ranked FCS opponent  was a 34-30 victory over No. 5 Eastern Washington on Sept. 24, 2005. Since then, the Bengals have lost their last 23 games to a ranked team.

Back-to-Back Wins
Idaho State has won back-to-back games for the fourth time since 2004. ISU did it in 2013 against Western State and Dixie State and also accomplished that feat in 2005 and 2011. ISU hasn't won three straight games since 2003.

Bengal Bites
- Xavier Finney and Weber State's Zach Smith have three 100-yard rushing games, the most in the Big Sky Conference.
- Justin Arias has thrown for 300 yards or more in 10 games.
- Xavier Finney has seven 100-yard rushing games in his career.
- Madison Mangum has two 100-yard receiving games.
- Justin Arias and Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams are the only quarterbacks in the conference who have thrown for multiple touchdowns in every game this season.
- Cody Sorensen had his first  career interception vs. Sacramento State and Erik Collins made his first career start and also came up with an interception in the same contest.
- Through four games the Bengal offense already has eight plays of 30-yards or more. In 2013 ISU had 13 plays of 30-yards or more and in 2012 the Bengals had 10 and in 2011 the offense had 13.

Airing it Out
Justin Arias is climbing the career record books for passing yards and touchdowns. Here is where he ranks.
Passing Completions
1    Jason Whitmer    721    1987-90            
2    Russel Hill        663    2007-10            
3    Kevin Yost         649    2011-12            
4    Paul Peterson    472    1982-83            
5    Mark Hetherington    468    2003-04            
6    Mike Machurek      449    1980-81            
7    Doug Baughman    443    2001-02            
8    Justin Arias    388    2011, 2013-14

Passing Yards
1    Jason Whitmer    9,081    1987-90            
2    Russel Hill        7,529    2007-10            
3    Kevin Yost         6,663    2011-12            
4    Mark Hetherington    5,718    2003-04            
5    Paul Peterson    5,664    1982-83            
6    Doug Baughman    5,574    2001-02            
7    Vern Harris        5,503    1984-85            
8    Mike Machurek    5,149    1980-81            
9    Justin Arias    5,091    2011, 2013-14

Finney Running into History
Xavier Finney has established himself as one of the top running backs in Idaho State history. The junior Bengal running back has rushed for 1,670 yards and sits in sixth place for most rushing yards in program history.  Here is a look at where he ranks for most rushing yards .
1    Josh Barnett        3,408    2004-07            
2    Alfredo Anderson        3,379    1993-96            
3    Merril Hoge            2,713    1983-86            
4    Isaac Mitchell        2,536    2000-03            
5    Nick Whitworth        2,353    1997-00    
6    Xavier Finney        1,670    2012-14        

Most Rushing Yards By a Bengal Since 2004
1.    1117    Josh Barnett (200-1117)    2006
2.    1022    Josh Barnett (203-1022)    2007
3.    868    Xavier Finney (199-868)    2013