The win was the third by an FCS team over an FBS opponent on Saturday and came with a guaranteed $400,000 payout for Idaho State (2-0), which entered as a 15.5-point underdog. It’s the second time in five years Utah State has lost at home to an FCS team (Weber State, 2022).

Lindberg made field goals from 28, 48, 25, 43 and 41 yards and finished with 17 points.

“Really nice performance by their quarterback, and we did not play clean. We didn’t execute well,” USU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “We weren’t consistent, not only in the playmaking but also with penalties. Basically, the team wasn’t prepared well enough to win. My job is to always to prepare the entire team.”

Utah State (0-1) took a 17-16 lead late in the third quarter on McCae Hillstead’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Demick Starling, but Idaho State scored the final 13 points.

Lindberg’s 43-yarder with 26 seconds left in the third put the Bengals back ahead before Jordan Cooke connected with Chedon James for an 8-yard touchdown early in the fourth, and Lindberg added his fifth field goal.

Cooke threw for 152 yards and a touchdown and also scored on a 1-yard run in the first half. TreShawn Shorty had two of Idaho State’s four interceptions.

Hillstead threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns to go with three interceptions, while Grady Brosterhous threw another interception for the Aggies.

“Today gave us great feedback. We have a clearer idea of where we are offensively, defensively and on special teams. Lots of work to do, and the clock is already ticking. Monday morning can’t come fast enough in terms of the improvements we need to make,” Mendenhall said.

Up next

Utah State: At No. 17 Washington on Saturday.

Idaho State: Hosts San Diego next Saturday.