Sept. 20, 2014 Final Stats | Notes
JONESBORO, Ark. - Utah State had a 38-yard field goal blocked at the end of regulation and failed to score in overtime as it lost on the road to Arkansas State, 21-14, here Saturday night. Both teams are now 2-2 on the season.
Utah State had a chance to win the game in regulation as the Aggies' defense forced its fourth turnover of the game late in the fourth quarter as junior LB LT Filiaga recovered his second fumble of the night at the Arkansas State 38-yard line with 0:47 second remaining in the game. USU then drove the ball down to the ASU 21-yard line and called timeout with 0:03 seconds to play, but had its 38-yard field goal blocked to send the game into overtime.
During the extra period, Arkansas State had the ball first and scored on its second play from scrimmage on a 24-yard pass from Fredi Knighten to Dijon Paschal for the Red Wolves first lead of the game. USU then got the ball and had a fourth-and-seven at the ASU 22-yard line and was unable to pick up the first down, losing the game as the Aggies are now 6-5 all-time in overtimes.
Utah State finished the game with 413 yards of total offense (268-passing, 145-rushing) as compared to 316 yards (190-passing, 126-rushing) for Arkansas State. USU also won the time of possession, 31:56-to-28:04 as well as the turnover battle as the Aggies forced three fumbles and one interception for four total turnovers, and committed just one turnover.
Sophomore QB Darell Garretson was 27-of-46 passing for Utah State for 268 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while junior WR Hunter Sharp had nine receptions for 130 yards, including an 81-yard reception from Garretson, which is tied for the 13th-longest pass play in school history.
Arkansas State took the opening kickoff and drove 65 yards in eight plays before sophomore LB Nick Vigil forced a Red Wolves fumble at the USU 19-yard line that was recovered by junior LB LT Filiaga.
Two series later, Utah State scored the first points of the game on an 81-yard pass from Garretson to Sharp on the first play of the series to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.
Utah State's defense forced two more turnovers in the first-half, but the Aggie offense was unable to convert them into any points as Garretson threw an interception in the red zone and sophomore PK Jake Thompson missed a 46-yard field goal late in the second quarter as the Aggies went into the locker room with a 7-0 lead.
Arkansas State tied the game at 7-all midway through the third quarter as senior P Jaron Bentrude fumbled the snap on a fourth-down punt play that resulted in a turnover at the USU 13-yard line. Three plays later, ASU's J.D. McKissic scored on a 12-yard rush
Utah State answered Arkansas State's touchdown on its next drive as Ronald Butler scored on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Garretson to cap an 8-play, 75-yard drive to give the Aggies a 14-7 advantage with 3:43 remaining in the third quarter.
Arkansas State tied the game at 14-all with 4:58 to play on a 4-yard run by Johnston White. USU then went three-and-out on its next offensive series before the Aggie defense forced its fourth turnover of the night to set up what would have been the game-winning field goal.
Utah State's defense was led by senior LB Zach Vigil who had a career-high 14 tackles, and tied his career-high with 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Sophomore S Devin Centers added a career-high 11 tackles, while Filiaga tied his career-high with 10 stops to go along with his two fumble recoveries.
Utah State will have its only bye of the season next weekend and return to action on Friday, Oct. 3 at in-state rival BYU in a game that will be nationally televised on ESPN with an 8:15 p.m. MT scheduled kick time.
Utah State football season and single-game tickets are available by contacting the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum during its office hours 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305. Season tickets can also be purchased online at www.UtahStateAggies.com, the official website of USU Athletics and clicking on the "Ticket Office" tab.
Fans can also follow the Aggie football program on twitter @USUFootball, on facebook at Utah State Football or on instagram at @usufootball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at @USUAthletics, on facebook at Utah State University Athletics or on instagram at @USUAthletics.
