SAINT GEORGE, Utah (Interstat) — Trehsyn Fesili returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown with 55 seconds remaining, and Idaho State defeated Utah Tech 34-27 in a NCAA Football Championship Division game Saturday at Greater Zion Stadium. The Bengals improved to 6-3, while the Trailblazers fell to 1-8 before an attendance of 2,991. Fesili’s late defensive score capped a wild finish after Utah Tech had erased a deficit and threatened to take the lead in the final minutes.

Idaho State quarterback Jordan Cooke completed 21 of 38 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 14 times for 23 yards. Cooke’s top target was Tommy Poe, who caught seven passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals leaned on Cooke’s accuracy in the short and intermediate passing game, and Poe repeatedly found open space against Utah Tech’s secondary. Idaho State also got four catches for 36 yards from Julian Mason and five catches for 34 yards from Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio, while Chedon James added three receptions for 14 yards. Cooke entered after a 334-yard passing performance in a win over Portland State.

Utah Tech built early momentum when Bronson Barben threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams on the opening drive. Barben later scored on a 6-yard run in the first quarter, giving the Trailblazers a quick cushion. Barben completed 23 of 34 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns and added 12 carries for 32 yards and a score. Ace Chatman carried 19 times for 52 yards and caught six passes for 31 yards, while Zay Akinsanya caught three passes for 65 yards. Williams finished with one reception for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Idaho State answered through the air. Cooke found Poe for a 4-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and Mason Lindberg made field goals from 47 and 27 yards. Utah Tech’s Max Shepherd connected on a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter. The teams traded scores and field position for much of the first half, and neither defense could consistently slow the opposing passing game. Idaho State’s special teams helped keep the Bengals close, with Lindberg converting both of his field-goal attempts before halftime.

In the third quarter, Cooke connected with Poe again, this time for a 26-yard touchdown, as Idaho State continued to chip away at the lead. Utah Tech responded when Barben found Darnell O’Quinn for a 9-yard touchdown. Shepherd later made a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to push the Trailblazers back in front. The lead changed hands and the game remained undecided until the final minute. O’Quinn finished with three catches for 18 yards and a touchdown.

Idaho State’s defense made the decisive play. With the game tied, Barben was intercepted by Fesili at the Utah Tech 43. Fesili returned it 43 yards for a touchdown, and Lindberg’s extra point provided the final margin. Fesili finished with six tackles, one sack, one interception and one touchdown. Nathan Reynolds and Ryder Holt each made eight tackles for the Bengals, while Jacob Perez added seven stops. Dekker Hagler had five tackles, and Jackson Daniels added four.

Utah Tech’s defense got contributions from Luke Hansen with seven tackles, Brevin Czosnyka with six and Will Alovao with three tackles and three sacks. Ryan Tillman and Shaun Niu Jr. each made five tackles. Daylen Love, Jeremiah Jimoh and Fasitootai Sagapolu also contributed stops. Aiden McComber recorded one tackle and one sack, while Moe Passi registered a quarterback hurry. The Trailblazers pressured Cooke at times but could not come up with a takeaway on the final drive. Isaac McMullin returned two kickoffs for 56 yards, and Will Greene added two carries for 27 yards and three catches for 25 yards. Junior Curtis ran nine times for 48 yards and caught one pass for 7 yards.

Idaho State’s ground game was limited but effective in spots. Tytan Mason ran six times for 35 yards, and Carson Sudbury added two carries for 19 yards. Cooke’s legs helped extend drives, though the Bengals did most of their damage through the air. Sam Buck punted once for 37 yards, and Jordan Rucker averaged 34 yards on three punts. The Bengals’ defense tightened after a difficult start, and the late turnover sealed the result. Utah Tech’s Elijah Davis caught one pass for 6 yards, Zay Morris had one catch for 9 yards and one tackle, and Prince Zombo Jr. added three catches for 13 yards. Ja’Kheo Mitchell had two rushes for 5 yards, one catch for 8 yards and one tackle.

Utah Tech had chances to win. Shepherd made field goals from 35 and 31 yards but missed a 41-yard attempt with 2:12 remaining. The miss kept the game tied and set up the final sequence. Idaho State also recorded a fourth-quarter sack when Barben was dropped for a 7-yard loss. Zion To’oto’o finished with five tackles and one sack for the Bengals, while TreShawn Shorty had four tackles and one quarterback hurry. Bronson Childs added one tackle and one quarterback hurry.

The game featured plenty of offense but was decided by defense and special teams. Idaho State converted its chances in the red zone, while Utah Tech settled for field goals at key moments. The Bengals improved to 6-3 overall and kept their late-season momentum alive. The Trailblazers dropped to 1-8 despite a strong passing performance from Barben and a productive day from Chatman. Fesili’s interception return was the difference in a game that remained close throughout. Idaho State’s win followed a 38-8 victory over Portland State, while Utah Tech was coming off a 43-26 win at Cal Poly.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Idaho State 49, Utah Tech 25, and its ELO system had given Idaho State a 77 percent probability to win. Idaho State will next host Montana State on Nov. 7. Utah Tech will visit UC Davis on Nov. 7.