Sept. 10, 2005

Final Stats

Freshman tailback Ryan Bohm put the Aggies up early on a three-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, but after recording 101 yards in the first quarter, Utah State football tallied just 147 yards in the remaining three quarters to drop its season opener to Utah, 31-7, Saturday night.

The loss dropped the Aggies to 0-1 to open the season, while Utah improved to 2-0.

"It's tough to find anything positive with a 31-7 defeat," said Utah State head coach Brent Guy. "We lost our composure before the half. We lost field position in the third and we were crippled by penalties. We just flat out got beat."

Bohm's three-yard score came as the Aggies drove 82 yards on 15 plays to go up 7-0 on the Utes. It marked the first time Utah State had led against Utah since the 2001 game.

Bohm and quarterback Leon Jackson helped the Aggies control the tempo in the first half as they combined to carry the ball 20 times for a total of 97 yards in the opening half. Jackson finished with 87 yards on the ground, recording the most rushing yards by an Aggie quarterback in the last 15 years. Jeff Crosbie had rushed for 77 yards against Nevada in 1999. Meanwhile Bohm finished with 58 yards on 11 carries in his Aggie debut.

Utah tied the score with 3:03 left in the second quarter as quarterback Brian Johnson capped a six-play 79-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. The Utes took a 14-7 lead into intermission as they scored following a Utah State punt that Eric Weddle returned to the USU 30. Utes needed just one play to capitalize as Brian Johnson connected with John Madsen for a 30-yard touchdown pass.

After successfully running the ball in the first half, Utah State managed just 15 rushing yards in the third quarter as Utah dominated the time of possession, 10:00 minutes to 5:00.

Utah went up 21-7 in the third quarter after the Aggies fumbled a punt on their own 17 yard-line. The Utes would add 10 more points in the fourth to grab the 31-7 victory.

Bohm led the Aggies in receiving as he hauled in five cathes for 41 yards, while Tarrell Richards caught two passes for 22 yards. Terrance Washington and Matt Wiser led the Aggie defense with 11 tackes. E.J. Reid also had a sack while Brian Soi and John Chick collaborated on the second USU sack.

Utah State played 15 freshmen and a total of 19 players saw their first action in an Aggie uniform on Saturday.

The Aggies have a bye this week before hosting UNLV on Sept. 24 in their home opener. Kick-off is slated for 6:05 p.m.

Utah State Postgame Notes Utah State vs. Utah Sept. 10, 2005

• 15 freshmen and 14 sophomores played for Utah State tonight, with a total of 19 players seeing their first career action.

• After recording 101 yards in the first quarter, Utah State tallied just 147 yards in the remaining three quarters.

• Freshmen who started tonight: RT Derek Hoke, TB Ryan Bohm, LB Devon Hall, LB Jake Hutton, CB Marquis Charles

• Other first-time starters: OC Nick George, WR Tarrell Richards, QB Leon Jackson, DT Brian Soi

• This year at the end of the first quarter: Utah State 0, Utah 0. Last year at the end of the first quarter - Utah 20, Utah State 0

• Utah State scored first in only three games last year, going 2-1 in those contests.

• USU shutout only two opponents in the first quarter last year (Idaho and Clemson)

• Leon Jackson's 87 yards rushing are the most rushing yards by an Aggie quarterback in the last 15 years. Jeff Crosbie's 77 yards at Nevada in 1999 were the previous high. Last year's rushing high by an Aggie quarterback was 43 yards by Travis Cox vs. Troy.

• When Utah scored at 3:03 left in the second quarter it marked the longest Utah State had held an opponent scoreless since holding Middle Tennessee scoreless until the fourth quarter in the ninth game of 2003.

• Freshman Ryan Bohm's 58 yards were the most rushing yards by a tailback in his starting debut since Richard Watson ran for 74 yards at Boise State in 2002.

• Justin Hamblin punted for the first time in his college career. He last punted in high school in 1998.