POCATELLO, Idaho (Interstat) — Anthony Grigsby Jr. threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Misa Paiau with 40 seconds remaining, and Josue Lopez made the extra point as Cal Poly defeated Idaho State 25-24 in an NCAA Football Championship Division game Saturday at ICCU Dome. The Mustangs improved to 4-3, while the Bengals dropped to 4-2. Attendance was 9,483.

Cal Poly scored 3 points in the first quarter, 8 in the second, 7 in the third and 7 in the fourth. Idaho State scored 10 in the first quarter, 5 in the second, 6 in the third and 3 in the fourth. The Mustangs’ final drive decided a game that featured several lead changes and a strong defensive effort from both teams.

Idaho State opened the scoring with Mason Lindberg’s 27-yard field goal. Cal Poly answered when Grigsby scored on an 18-yard run, and Lopez added the extra point. The Bengals took the lead back when Jordan Cooke connected with Julian Mason for an 11-yard touchdown, with Lindberg adding the extra point. Cal Poly’s Lopez made a 24-yard field goal, and Lindberg countered with a 45-yard field goal before halftime. Lindberg added a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Cal Poly regained the advantage when Grigsby rushed for a 4-yard touchdown and then ran in a successful two-point conversion. Idaho State moved back in front on Lindberg’s 43-yard and 30-yard field goals. The Mustangs then put together the winning march, converting the short pass to Paiau in the final minute. Idaho State had one last chance but could not answer.

On the winning drive, Cal Poly moved into Idaho State territory and faced a crucial down before Grigsby found Paiau near the goal line. Paiau’s catch at the 3-yard line carried into the end zone for the score. Lopez’s extra point gave the Mustangs a one-point lead. Idaho State called timeout after the touchdown, but Cal Poly’s defense held on the final possession.

Grigsby completed 17 of 31 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown. He also ran 11 times for 55 yards and two scores. Tayvion McCoy caught five passes for 78 yards. Jaden Green rushed 18 times for 49 yards and caught two passes for 30 yards while returning one kickoff 22 yards. Paiau ran five times for 16 yards, caught three passes for 26 yards and scored the winning touchdown. Fidel Pitts had two receptions for 27 yards, Alek Marshall had one catch for 13 yards, Jadon Anderson had one for 9 yards, and Luke Leighton had three for 15 yards. Dean Scrivner caught one pass for 7 yards and punted four times for 212 yards.

Cooke completed 22 of 36 passes for 238 yards and one touchdown. He ran nine times for 3 yards. Tommy Poe caught five passes for 108 yards. Chedon James had seven receptions for 47 yards. Owen Tomich had four catches for 43 yards and returned two punts for 31 yards. Julian Mason caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. Davis Harsin ran twice for 2 yards, Brett Spencer ran once for 10 yards, and Jordan Rucker punted three times for 110 yards. Sam Buck also punted once for 33 yards.

Defensively for Idaho State, Nathan Reynolds had eight tackles. Bronson Childs recorded seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. Jacob Perez added six tackles. Bryce McCray and Titan Saxton each had five tackles. TreShawn Shorty finished with four tackles. Jake East had three tackles and three quarterback hurries. Trehsyn Fesili, Collin Lewis, Beau Jaques and Troy Wilkey each had three tackles, with Fesili adding half a sack. Junior Kaufusi had two tackles and a sack. Ryder Holt, Jackson Daniels and Isaiah Cook each had two tackles. Dekker Hagler, Kai Wheeler, Easton Cook, Parker Graham, Porter Lee, Devin Rodriguez, Adam Watts, Jackson Irwin and Gabe Tahir each had one tackle.

Cal Poly’s RL Miller led the defense with 10 tackles and an interception. Kenny Olson had eight tackles. Chase Martin added seven tackles and a sack. Demetrius Simon made six tackles and intercepted a pass. Jalonn Booth had five tackles, two sacks and a quarterback hurry. Troy Bean also had five tackles. Grigsby was the Mustangs’ top star, directing the offense and scoring on the ground twice before throwing the winning touchdown.

Cal Poly entered the game after a loss to Weber State and a win at Eastern Washington. The Mustangs also had losses to San Diego and San Jose State and wins over Central Washington and Idaho this season. Idaho State had lost to Northern Arizona and beaten Southern Utah, San Diego, Utah State and Virginia Military Institute. Cal Poly will next face Northern Colorado, while Idaho State will visit Weber State.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected Idaho State 60, Cal Poly 30. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Idaho State with a 90.2 percent probability to win. Cal Poly had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +14.5. The total score of 49 went over the over/under line of 63.5.