Contrary to popular belief, Boise State isn’t the only college football program in the state of Idaho. The Idaho State Bengals have long been a proud and completive program in the Big Sky Conference and the FCS level. Compared to Boise State, it’s easy to find cheap Idaho State football tickets, which is part of what makes the Bengals so appealing. The Bengals have a long history of playing competitive and entertaining football while also sending players to the NFL. For that reason, last-minute Idaho State football tickets remain a hot commodity for fans in the Gem State.

Rocky Mountain High

While the Bengals have played football since 1902, they didn’t achieve their first period of sustained success until the 1950s. Under head coach Babe Caccia, Idaho State captured six Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships between 1952 and 1959. Caccia also led the Bengals when they joined the Big Sky Conference in 1963, winning the conference title in their first season as members.

Championship Football

After that 1963 Big Sky title, the Bengals remained mostly quiet until the 1981 season. In Dave Kragthorpe’s second season at Idaho State, the Bengals went on a magical run, including a road win over Boise State that helped secure the Big Sky championship and ISU’s first-ever appearance in the FCS Playoffs. The Bengals took that opportunity and ran with it, blowing out Rhode Island and South Carolina State before beating Eastern Kentucky 34-23 to win the FCS national championship, which remains the crowning achievement in program history.

The Next Generation

Getting back to the top of the mountain hasn’t been easy for Idaho State after winning the 1981 national championship. There have been plenty of rough years since that glorious accomplishment. But the Bengals were a charter member of the Big Sky and have been an important part of the league’s history. More importantly, Idaho State figures to play an important role in the Big Sky Conference’s future.