LOGAN, Utah -

Following its lone bye week of the season, Utah State's defense still ranks among the top 40 in the nation in four categories, including ranking third in the Mountain West and 28th in the nation in total defense (310.7 yards per game).

Overall, the Aggies rank among the top 40 nationally in nine different categories.

Defensively, Utah State also ranks third in the MW and 23rd in the nation in rushing defense (107.0 ypg), third in the MW and tied for 47th in the nation in scoring defense (21.3 points per game), fifth in the MW and 54th in the nation in pass defense (203.7 ypg), seventh in the MW and 88th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (136.2) and eighth in the MW and tied for 51st in the nation in sacks (6).

Utah State's defense has allowed just 13 third-down conversions on 44 attempts (.295) this year to rank second in the Mountain West and 29th nationally. The Aggies have also only allowed 50 first downs through three games (16.7 pg), which ranks second in the MW and tied for ninth in the nation.

Utah State has forced at least one turnover in 35 of its last 40 games, including three turnovers this season with two fumble recoveries and one interception. In all, USU has forced 80 turnovers in its last 40 games.

The Aggies have intercepted 37 passes in their last 27 games, including multiple interceptions in 12 of those 27 games, and has at least one interception in 17 of its last 23 games.

Furthermore, Utah State has scored one defensive touchdown this year and nine defensive touchdowns in its last 25 games. Last season, the Aggies scored five defensive touchdowns.

Offensively, Utah State ranks tied for second in the MW and tied for 25th nationally in sacks allowed per game (1.0), sixth in the MW in completion percentage (.545) and seventh in the MW in passing offense (179.0 ypg).

On special teams, the Aggies rank third in the MW and 16th in the nation in kickoff returns (27.8 ypr) and third in the MW and 31st in the nation in punt returns (13.5 ypr).

Individually, junior LB Nick Vigil ranks first in the Mountain West and tied for 10th nationally in tackles (11.3 pg), and tied for fourth in the MW and tied for 61st nationally in tackles for loss (1.33 pg).

Senior LB Kyler Fackrell ranks first in the MW and tied for 35th nationally in fumbles forced (0.33 pg), tied for seventh in the MW and 66th nationally in sacks (0.67 pg), fourth in the MW and tied for 61st nationally in tackles for loss (1.33 pg), and tied for 40th in the MW in tackles (5.3 pg).

Redshirt senior QB Chuckie Keeton ranks second in the MW and 51st in the nation in completions (18.3 pg), third in the MW and 82nd in the nation in total offense (204.0 ypg), fourth in the MW and 84th in the nation in passing (179.0 ypg) and 11th in the MW in pass efficiency (95.8).

Junior WR Andrew Rodriguez ranks tied for second in the MW and tied for 16th nationally in punt returns (17.0 pg), while sophomore CB Jalen Davis ranks fifth in the MW and 34th in the nation in punt returns (10.8), and is tied for fifth in the MW and tied for 32nd in the nation in passes defended (1.33 pg).

Junior FS Devin Centers ranks eighth in the MW and 73rd in the nation in interceptions (0.33 pg), and tied for 40th in the MW in tackles (5.3 pg). Senior CB Tyler Floyd and redshirt freshman FS Jontrell Rocquemore both rank tied for second in the MW and tied for 16th in the nation in fumble recoveries (0.33 pg).

Senior LB LT Filiaga ranks eighth in the MW and tied for 70th nationally in tackles (8.3 pg), while redshirt freshman P Aaron Dalton ranks 11th in the MW and 98th in the nation in punting (36.8 ypk), and junior PK Brock Warren ranks ninth in the MW and 96th nationally in field goals (0.67 pg).

Utah State (1-2) returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Aggies welcome Colorado State to Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium for Homecoming and the MW opener for both schools. The game, which is slated to kick off at 5 p.m. MT, will be streamed online at ESPN3.

Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball or on Facebook at Utah State Football, as well as on Instagram at instagram.com/USUFootball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.

-USU-