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Weber State defenders Winston Reid, bottom left, and Montae Pate, right, take down Idaho State receiver Chedon James on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Pocatello, Idaho.

ROBERT CASEY, Weber State Athletics

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Weber State running back Damon Bankston (1) tries to avoid tackles from Idaho State defenders on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden.

Robert Casey, WSU Athletics

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It’s been a while since Weber State football looked to its lopsided rivalry with Idaho State as any kind of saving grace to a season. But this year’s trip to Pocatello caps a big week of change for the Wildcats, who are finishing the season under interim head coach Brent Myers after the firing of third-year coach Mickey Mental.

While the university begins the search for a new hire, the football team prepares for the first of two rivalry games to end the season. That’s the Train Bell Trophy rivalry with the Bengals, set for 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Train Bell Trophy, once used in the 1970s, re-emerged in 2024 and Idaho State, usually on the wrong side of nearly every game against Weber State, promptly defeated the Wildcats 45-35 and hauled the heavy bell back home. Before that game, Weber was 37-3 in the last 40 matchups, and it was ISU’s first win in Ogden in 40 years.

“Rivalry games have got to mean a little more to everyone, despite how the season’s going,” junior defensive tackle Matt Herron said. “Rivalry games are always going to be close. I think it’s a great opportunity, get some revenge. … We’re talking a lot about the trophy games. We don’t have playoffs, but when you have a chance to take a couple trophies home to end the season, that’s a good opportunity.”

Tight ends coach Robert Conley has offensive playcalling duties for the final two weeks of the season and the coaching staff is looking for ways to spark the Wildcats (3-7, 1-5 Big Sky) to victory against the Bengals (4-6, 3-3).

“We’re gonna have a little bit different approach offensively, defensively, and special teams,” Myers said. “Not that it’s anything that we haven’t done already, but we’re going to try to utilize some scheme to help put our players’ best foot forward, is the way I would say it.”

INJURY REPORT

Weber State’s list of season-ending injuries to two-deep players is long. (Quarterbacks Jackson Gilkey and Cash McCollum, running backs Davion Godley and Chauncey Sylvester, receiver Noah Kjar, defensive end Josh Hardy, cornerback Tajon Evans, and others.)

As for recent developments, tight end Noah Bennee and receiver Kelton Wafer both went down with leg injuries last week at Montana State. Myers said Bennee is possible to play this week while Wafer is questionable. In good news, Myers said Wafer’s injury, though he’s definitely banged up, didn’t end up being as bad as it looked. So he’s not ruled out for the season.

FAMILIAR FACES

The game brings a reunion with some familiar faces, starting with former 11-year WSU staffer Grant Duff, who’s in his first season as defensive coordinator at Idaho State. Former WSU cornerback Kamden Garrett is also on ISU’s list of secondary staff members.

The dynamic of Duff calling a defense against Mental’s offense is now removed; though teams don’t usually put in wholesale scheme changes in the middle of a season, new focuses and a new playcaller might shake things up for WSU.

Weber State defensive linemen Bronson Childs (No. 96) and Jagger Childs (No. 93) both followed Duff to Pocatello. Bronson has 38 tackles with six for loss, including 2.5 sacks, this season. Weber High alum Stryker Rashid is also on ISU’s offensive line.

MEET THE BENGALS

At 306 passing yards per game, Idaho State has the No. 4 passing offense in the country.

That’s led by quarterback Jordan Cooke (No. 1), who returned this season after missing 2024 to injury. In nine games, Cooke has thrown for 2,477 yards and 12 touchdowns to nine interceptions on 58.3% completion. Redshirt freshman Davis Harsin (No. 16) has also attempted 62 passes over seven games, averaging 68 yards per contest.

But its a different look for the Bengals, usually pass first and always. Dason Brooks (No. 28) averages 96.5 rushing yards per game on 7 yards per carry. So Idaho State has the No. 9 best total offense in the country.

Four receivers get the bulk of the worke for Cooke and company. Michael Shulikov (No. 14) and Tsion Nunnally (No. 9) average 83 and 82 receiving yards per game, with Shulikov averaging 17.7 yards per reception. Damien Morgan (No. 0) and Ian Duarte (No. 11) are shorter-yardage targets (10 per catch) and each get about four catches per game.

Defensively, safety Rylan Leathers (No. 21) leads the Bengals with 85 tackles (8.5 per game), has two forced fumbles, and is one of six ISU players with one interception apiece. Linebacker Nathan Reynolds (No. 7) adds 7.2 tackles per game. Senior lineman Cam’ron Willis (No. 0) has only 24 tackles, but nine of them are for loss, 5.5 are sacks, and he has two forced fumbles and two QB hurries.

Punter Gabriel Russo has a 46.3 yards-per-punt average, No. 6 nationally, with 47% going inside the 20. Kicker Trajan Sinatra is 14 of 17 on the year, including a 7-of-9 mark from 40-plus.

TEAM VS. TEAM METRICS

We might see points in this one, based on each team’s defensive performance.

Against eight FCS opponents, Weber State has averaged 26.6 points on 353.8 yards per game, including a 5.27 yards-per-play average. Defensively, the Wildcats give up 35.1 points on 408.1 yards per game and 6.15 yards per play.

Weber State once pulled even in turnover margin after its lone Big Sky win at Portland State, but the Wildcats are now minus-seven in turnovers this season. Weber State has lost 20 turnovers (15 interceptions, five fumbles) while taking away 13 (eight interceptions, five fumbles).

WSU averages 4.5 penalties per game for 43.4 yards.

Idaho State has played seven FCS opponents (having played two FBS teams and beating Lincoln-California 90-0). So in those seven FCS games, the Bengals average 26.4 points on 445.1 yards per game, with a 6.35 yards-per-play clip. Defensively, ISU allows 34 points on 488.7 yards per game and 6.62 yards per play.

Idaho State is minus-two in the turnover margin. The Bengals have given the ball away 15 times (12 interceptions, three fumbles) while taking away 13 turnovers (six interceptions, seven fumbles).

The Bengals are penalized an average of 5.7 times for 49.6 yards per game.

ODDS & PREDICTIONS

Jeff Sagarin ranks Weber State at No. 201 in all of Division I (FBS and FCS, 265 total teams). Idaho State is No. 170. Including home-field advantage, his formula favors ISU by 8.5 points.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranks Weber State at No. 93 in FCS (129 teams) and Idaho State at No. 64. His formula predicts Idaho State winning 36-27.

D Ratings predicts an Idaho State victory of 35-28 at 63% probability.

WEATHER

It’s partly cloudy with a balmy 62-degree high Saturday in Pocatello but, for the first and only time this season, Weber State is playing indoors. The ICCU Dome (the artist formerly known as the Mini Dome and Holt Arena) plays host to this contest.

TV & RADIO

As usual, the broadcast will stream on the ESPN+ subscription service, available on the ESPN app or WatchESPN.com, with Scott Gross and Kody Graves on the call.

Weber State’s radio call, with Carl Arky and Jerry Graybeal, airs in Utah on 103.1 FM and online at 1031thewave.com.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Weber State leads the all-time series 49-16. WSU has won five straight in Pocatello and is 24-10 overall there.