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LOGAN – Despite a well-rounded performance, Utah State couldn’t do enough to beat defending Mountain West champion Fresno State on Friday night.
“Disappointed with the result, obviously, but not at all disappointed with the guys,” Aggies coach Blake Anderson said.
After trailing by 11 points in the fourth quarter, the Aggies staged a comeback and took a 32-31 lead with less than five minutes to play.
Fresno State drove the length of the field on the ensuing drive and scored a touchdown to retake the lead at 37-32. A failed 2-point attempt resulted in the game ending with just over two minutes to play and the Aggies with the ball within 5 points.
Utah State continued to drive the ball the length of the field until quarterback Cooper Legas’ pass was intercepted in the middle of the field inside the Bulldogs’ 40-yard line. Ball game.
Anderson later excused Legas’ late-game interception, in part by saying he was aggressive due to the nature of the game.
Overall, Anderson had high praise for his own team and praised Fresno State for making the plays needed to win the game. This, along with a number of untimely penalties for the Aggies throughout the game, ultimately led to Utah State falling to 3-4 on the season. The Aggies gave up nearly 100 yards in penalties, including 30 on one play.
For the second time this year, the Aggies didn’t trail at the end of the first quarter, avoiding the “first quarter curse” that seems to plague the Aggies most weeks. Anderson called his team’s performance “the most complete game we’ve played all year.”
Rather, it was the third quarter that gave the Bulldogs the distance they needed to avoid a second straight road loss after suffering their first loss of the season last week in Laramie, Wyoming. Fresno State outscored Utah State 14-3 in the third quarter.
The Aggies’ offensive success depended heavily on Jalen Royals, who caught two touchdowns in the first half and finished with seven receptions for 125 yards; He has caught seven touchdown receptions in the last three games and has rushed for more than 100 yards in each game.
Royals said his recent success was due to increased confidence, adding, “I think I’m one of the best receivers in this conference and maybe college football.”
He also made an impressive return on a 2-point attempt all the way to the end zone early in the fourth quarter, bringing the Aggies to a three-point deficit. According to the Royals, the play was supposed to be a pass, but when the receiver was covered, he improvised and brought the ball into the end zone himself.
Terrell Vaughn added one touchdown reception and 119 yards of his own on seven receptions.
Although Aggies starting quarterback McCae Hillstead is making progress in recovering from a concussion, he was still unavailable for Utah State’s game against Fresno State. In his place, the Legas managed 363 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.
MJ Tafisi led the defense with 17 total tackles, a career high for him.
“I’m extremely proud of the way we played,” Tafisi said. “It always sucks to lose. Definitely a high-low.”
Fresno State improves to 6-1 this season and will not play again until a home game on Oct. 28 against UNLV.
The Aggies have an extra day to prepare for their road game next Saturday against San Jose State, the final game before a bye week. They must win three of their final five games to compete in a bowl game this season.
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Andrew Hyde is a student at Utah State University majoring in economics and minoring in data analysis and French. He is an avid college football fan, enjoys spending time with his family and being involved in his church community. He hopes to eventually get an MBA.