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AGGIES CONCLUDE NON-CONFERENCE PLAY AT BYU FRIDAY NIGHT
Game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
 
UTAH STATE (3-1, 1-0 MW) vs. BYU (3-2)
Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 • 7 p.m. (MT) • Provo, Utah • LaVell Edwards Stadium (63,470)
 
GAME 5 INFORMATION
TV: ESPN2
• Play-by-Play: Mark Neely
• Analyst: John Congemi
• Reporter: Quinet Kessenich
 
RADIO: AGGIE SPORTS NETWORK
• Play-by-Play: Scott Garrard
• Analyst: Kevin White
• Online: 1280thezone.com / Tunein.com
• National: Sirius 137 / XM 202 / Internet 962
 
SOCIAL MEDIA: #AGGIESALLTHEWAY
• Twitter/Instagram: @USUFootball
• Facebook: USUFootball
• YouTube: UtahStateFootball
• Live Stats: UtahState.Statbroadcast.com
 
AGGIE RADIO NETWORK
• Every Utah State football game can be heard live on the Aggie Radio Network. Scott Garrard serves as the play-by-play announcer, while former USU quarterback Kevin White (1988-89) will provide color analysis. Games can also be heard on the Internet (www.UtahStateAggies.com) by clicking on the 'Listen Live' link, as well as on the TuneIn App.
• Salt Lake City: KZNS (1280 AM/97.5 FM)
• Logan: KBLU-LP (92.3 FM)
• Cache Valley: KACH (1340 AM/105.5 FM)
• Montpelier, ID: KVSI (1450 AM/101.7 FM)
• Price: KRPX (95.3 FM)
• Green River: KRPX (102.7 FM)
• Moab: KRPX (100.3 FM)
• Orangeville: KRPX (95.9 FM)
 
KICKOFF COVERAGE
• Utah State (3-1, 1-0 MW) concludes non-conference play at BYU (3-2) on Friday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m., in a nationally televised game on ESPN2. USU is 36-48-3 all-time against the Cougars, including a 17-28-1 road record.
 
• Utah State head coach Matt Wells is 2-3 all-time against BYU and is the first Aggie coach to have multiple wins against the Cougars since Bruce Snyder (1976-82) posted a 2-5 record against BYU with wins in 1978 and 1982.
 
• Utah State, which is 6-0 under Wells following a bye week, is looking to start a season 4-1 for the first time under Wells and for the first time since 2012.
 
• Utah State posted a 40-24 home win against BYU last season, highlighted by seven forced turnovers. Overall, USU has won two of the last four and three of the last eight games in the series. Prior to that, BYU won 10 straight and 20 of the previous 21 games played in the series.
 
• Utah State's last win at BYU (35-20) on Oct. 3, 2014, snapped a 17-game road losing streak to the Cougars that dated back to 1978. Overall, USU has played well in Provo in three of its last four games as it lost back-to-back outings by a field goal to BYU in 2012 (6-3) and 2011 (27-24).
 
• Utah State and BYU spent 37 years as conference foes as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference from 1922-37 and the Mountain States/Skyline Conference from 1938-61. As conference foes, USU was 21-13-3 (.608) against BYU.
 
• Utah State ranks among the top 40 teams in the nation in 20 different statistical categories, including ranking fourth in scoring offense (51.5 points per game), fifth in kickoff returns (34.29 yards per return), 10th in defensive touchdowns (2), 13th in turnovers forced (10) and 14th in tackles for loss (8.5 per game). USU also ranks second in the nation with nine scoring drives on the season of less than 60 seconds, but also has five scoring drives of 10-plus plays and 10 scoring drives that have covered at least 70 yards.
 
• Utah State has scored 30-plus points in each of its first four games for the first time in school history. USU has also scored 40-plus points in each of its last three games.
 
AGGIES CONCLUDE NON-CONFERENCE PLAY AT BYU FRIDAY NIGHT
• Utah State concludes non-conference play at BYU on Friday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m., in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN2 with Mark Neely (play-by-play), John Congemi (analyst) and Quint Kessenich (reporter) on the call. Live audio of the game is available on www.UtahStateAggies.com. USU is 543-541-31 (.501) in its previous 120 seasons.
 
• Utah State has won 18 of its last 42 (.429) road games and is 11-25 (.306) in road games under sixth-year head coach Matt Wells. USU has also won 13 of its last 24 games played during the month of October and is 3-5-1 all-time in games played on Oct. 5. USU is also 21-30-1 (.413) all-time in games played on Friday, including an 8-7 (.533) record under Wells.
 
UTAH STATE RETURNS PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE IN 2018
• Utah State returns 18 starters (O-9, D-9) and 47 letterwinners (O-19, D-26, S-2) from last season, which is the third-most in the nation behind Florida (19) and Michigan State (19). When you add in its two returning specialists, USU's 20 returning starters is tied for the third-most in the nation behind Baylor (22) and Michigan State (22), and tied with Florida (20), Michigan (20) and UAB (20).
 
A LOOK AT UTAH STATE
• Utah State is 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in Mountain West play following its 42-32 conference-opening home win against Air Force two weekends ago. USU began the year with a 38-31 loss at No. 11 Michigan State and then posted a 60-13 home win against New Mexico State and a 73-12 home win against Tennessee Tech. Offensively, USU is led by sophomore QB Jordan Love, who is 90-of-135 (.667) passing for 1,070 yards (267.5 ypg) with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Junior RB Gerold Bright leads the team in rushing with 288 yards on 40 carries (7.2 ypc/72.0 ypg) with four touchdowns, and senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver has a team-best 22 receptions for 228 yards (10.4 ypr/57.0 ypg). Defensively, sophomore LB David Woodward leads the team with 40 tackles, which includes 1.0 sacks, while senior LB Chase Christiansen has 31 tackles, which includes 0.5 tackles for loss. As a team, Utah State is averaging 51.5 points and 471.5 yards of total offense (284.5 passing, 187.0 rushing), and allowing 23.8 points and 357.5 yards of total offense (187.2 rushing, 170.2 passing).
 
A LOOK AT UTAH STATE DURING ITS THREE-GAME WINNING STREAK
• During its current three-game winning streak, Utah State is averaging 58.3 points and 514.0 yards per game (273.0 passing, 241.0 rushing), while converting 44.4 percent of its third downs (16-36). Defensively, USU is allowing just 19.0 points and 325.3 yards (194.0 rushing, 131.3 passing), while limiting its opponents to just 19-of-60 (.317) on third downs.
 
UTAH STATE'S OFFENSE LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD UNDER WELLS
• Utah State's offense is lighting up the scoreboard so far in 2018 as it has scored 30-plus points in each of its first four games, which is a school record, with 31 points at No. 11 Michigan State, followed by 60 points against New Mexico State, 73 points against Tennessee Tech and 42 points against Air Force. The last Aggie team to have this kind of success on offense was the 2012 squad that scored 38-plus points in each of its final seven games.
 
• Under head coach Matt Wells, Utah State has scored 50-plus points 10 times and 60 or more points four times, both of which are school records. Prior to Wells, E. Lowell 'Dick' Romney (1919-48) held the school record with six 50-point games in 29 seasons, while John Ralston (1959-62) and Tony Knap (1963-66) shared the school record for most 60-point games with two each, as both coaches spent four seasons at USU. Utah State also scored 60-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time in school history this year. Overall, the Aggies have scored 50-plus points in back-to-back games three times in school history, all under Wells. Utah State also set a school record last year under Wells by scoring 50-plus points in three games.
 
UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 25 of its last 30 games when it has a 100-yard rusher, including a 3-0 record this year, and 28 of its last 31 contests when rushing at least 40 times in a game, including a 2-0 record this year. USU has also won 43 of its last 46 games when scoring at least 30 points, including a 3-1 record this season.
 
UTAH STATE ALREADY HAS FOUR NON-OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS THIS YEAR
• Utah State has four non-offensive touchdowns this season, as senior S Gaje Ferguson returned an interception 40 yards for a score at No. 11 Michigan State, sophomore WR Savon Scarver returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and senior CB Deante Fortenberry returned an interception 75 yards for the score against New Mexico State, and sophomore WR Jordan Nathan returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee Tech. Last year, USU scored seven non-offensive touchdowns with three interception returns, two fumble returns, one blocked punt return and one kickoff return for a touchdown. 
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 17 rushing touchdowns in its first four games this season as compared to 24 rushing touchdowns all of last season. The school record for rushing touchdowns is 39 in 1961.
 
• Along with its 17 rushing touchdowns this year, USU also four touchdown runs of at least 50 yards on the season.
 
SCOUTING BYU
• BYU is 3-2 on the season following its 35-7 loss at No. 11 Washington last weekend. The Cougars are led by senior QB Tanner Mangum, who is 85-of-137 passing for 772 yards (154.4 ypg) with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Senior RB Squally Canada leads the team in rushing with 335 yards on 68 carries (4.9 ypc/67.0 ypg) with five touchdowns, and junior WR Aleva Hifo has caught 15 passes for 151 yards (10.1 ypr/30.2 ypg). Defensively, senior LB Sione Takitaki has a team-best 31 tackles, which includes 3.0 tackles for loss, while fellow senior LB Zayne Anderson has 28 tackles, which includes 1.0 tackle for loss. As a team, BYU is averaging 21.4 points and 295.0 yards of total offense per game (163.0 passing, 132.0 rushing) and allowing 20.6 points and 360.2 yards of total offense (203.4 passing, 156.8 rushing). BYU returns 14 starters (O-7, D-7) and 58 lettermen (O-25, D-29, S-4) from last year's team that went 4-9. The Cougars are coached by Kalani Sitake, who is 16-15 in his third season as a collegiate head coach at BYU.
 
AGGIES AND COUGARS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State trails in the all-time series against BYU, 36-48-3, which includes a 17-28-1 road record. The first game played in the series was on Oct. 7, 1922, in Provo with USU winning, 42-3. USU won last year's meeting in Logan, 40-24, and BYU won the last meeting in Provo, 28-10, in 2016. The last time USU defeated BYU on the road was in 2014 by a final score of 35-20.
 
MORE ON THE AGGIES AND COUGARS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State's 36 wins against BYU are the second-most in school history behind USU's 38 wins against Wyoming. The USU-BYU series is the second-most played in school history as this weekend's 88th meeting trails only USU's 112 games played against Utah.
 
BATTLE FOR THE OLD WAGON WHEEL
• Utah State and BYU will be playing for possession of 'The Old Wagon Wheel,' the traveling trophy between the two schools, this weekend. The Old Wagon Wheel became part of the rivalry in 1948. Since its inception, BYU holds a 40-24 advantage in the series, but USU currently holds possession of the traveling trophy after its 40-24 home win last year.
 
UTAH STATE AND BYU SERIES MOVING FORWARD
• Future games currently scheduled between Utah State and BYU include meetings in Logan on Nov. 2, 2019, in Provo on Oct. 2, 2020, in Logan on Oct. 1, 2021, and in Provo on Sept. 30, 2022.
 
UTAH STATE VERSUS FBS INDEPENDENTS
• Utah State is 68-56-3 all-time against current Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Independents with a 36-48-3 record against BYU, a 31-8 record against New Mexico State and a 1-0 record against Army.
 
MATT WELLS VERSUS BYU
• Utah State head coach Matt Wells is 2-3 all-time against BYU as a head coach, and has faced the Cougars six times as an assistant, including twice while at Utah State, as well as three times as an assistant at New Mexico and once as an assistant at Tulsa.
 
UTAH STATE AND BYU CONNECTIONS
• Utah State senior OL Quin Ficklin spent three years at BYU, redshirting in 2012 and playing in 2015-16. Ficklin did not play as a redshirt freshman, but appeared in seven games at fullback for the Cougars in 2016. USU senior OL Roman Andrus spent two years at BYU, redshirting in 2012 and playing in one game on the defensive line in 2015. USU senior WR DJ Nelson and sophomore S Chase Nelson's older brother, Riley Nelson, played football at both Utah State and BYU. USU junior TE Dax Raymond's father, Ronn, was on BYU's track and field team. BYU freshman OL Harris LaChance originally signed with USU in 2015 before going on a two-year LDS Church Mission.
 
MORE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND BYU
• Utah State outside linebackers coach Uani 'Unga graduated from BYU in 2015 and played linebacker for the Cougars (2012-13). USU Assistant AD for Football Operations Waqa Damuni is the brother of BYU Director of Player Personnel Jack Damuni. USU Director of Player Personnel Zach Nyborg graduated from BYU in 2011 and spent the 2014 season at BYU as the Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations. USU special assistant to the head coach Dave Kragthorpe spent 10 years (1970-79) as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at BYU. BYU defensive coordinator and defensive line coach 'Ilaisa Tuiaki spent three seasons (2009-11) at Utah State as the running backs and special teams coach. BYU's stadium namesake, LaVell Edwards, is a 1952 Utah State alum, and was a three-year letterman for the Aggies from 1949-51, collecting unanimous all-Skyline Six Conference honors in 1950 at linebacker. Edwards was inducted into USU's Athletics' Hall of Fame in 2011. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS NUMBERS
• Utah State is 2-5 in games played on natural grass under head coach Matt Wells, including an 0-1 record this year, losing at No. 11 Michigan State, 38-31.
 
PLAYER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND BYU
• There are 67 connections between Utah State and BYU football players. USU senior OL Roman Andrus, senior S Gaje Ferguson, senior LB Ofa Latu, senior TE Emerson Woods, redshirt junior DE Fua Leilua and junior OL Moroni Iniguez all attended Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, as did BYU redshirt freshman DB Matthew Criddle. Andrus attended Oak Ridge HS in El Dorado Hills, Calif., as did BYU senior WR Dylan Collie. Ferguson attended Mountain Crest High School in Hyrum, Utah, as did BYU redshirt junior TE Moroni Laulu-Pututau. USU senior RB Eltoro Allen attended Riverside (Calif.) CC, as did BYU junior DB Isaiah Armstrong. USU senior LB Chase Christiansen attended Stansbury (Utah) HS, as did BYU senior LB Zayne Anderson. USU senior OL KJ Uluave and sophomore OL Siotame Uluave both attended Kahuku HS in Kahuku, Hawaii, as did BYU junior RB Johnny Tapusoa. Woods attended Brighton High School in Sandy, Utah, as did BYU senior RB Brayden El-Bakri, sophomore DL Bracken El-Bakri, sophomore LB Isaiah Kaufusi, freshman LB Drew Jensen and freshman LB Jackson Kaufusi. Latu and junior TE Dax Raymond both attended Timpview HS in Provo, Utah, as did BYU senior DL Corbin Kaufusi and freshman DL Devin Kaufusi. Iniguez and junior S Chance Parker both attended Davis HS in Kaysville, Utah, as did BYU senior DB Gavin Fowler. USU junior LB Justus Te'i attended Mission Hills HS in San Marcos, Calif., as did BYU junior DB Troy Warner. USU junior PK Taylor Hintze, redshirt freshman OL Chandler Dolphin, freshman QB Will Dana and freshman LB Mitch Medina all attended Alta HS in Sandy, Utah, as did BYU senior LB Rhett Sandlin and junior DB Austin Lee. USU sophomore TE Travis Boman attended Coronado HS in Las Vegas, Nev., as did BYU freshman WR Koy Harris. USU sophomore S Baron Gajkowski attended Lone Peak HS in Alpine, Utah, as did BYU junior WR Talon Shumway, sophomore DB Austin McChesney and redshirt freshman DB Matthew Criddle. USU sophomore S Jordan Hayes attended Bountiful (Utah) High School, as did BYU redshirt freshman OL Brady Christensen and freshman LB Max Tooley. USU sophomore WR Savon Scarver attended Centennial HS in Las Vegas, Nev., as did BYU junior DL Trajan Pili. USU sophomore RB Tre Miller attended Dixie HS in St. George, Utah, as did BYU freshman LB Payton Wilgar. USU sophomore OL Ty Shaw and freshman OL Karter Shaw both attended Herriman (Utah) HS, as did BYU freshman OL Harris LaChance. USU sophomore TE Carson Terrell attended Lehi (Utah) HS, as did BYU sophomore WR Austin Whetzel and freshman TE Dallin Holker. USU redshirt freshman WR Preston Curtis and freshman S Christian Nash both attended East HS in Salt Lake City, Utah, as did BYU senior DL Merrill Tailauli and redshirt freshman LB Christian Folau. USU freshman OL Heneli Avendano attended Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah, as did BYU junior DB Austin Kafentzis. USU redshirt freshman LB Daniel Langi and freshman LB Simian Matagi both attended Bingham HS in South Jordan, Utah, as did BYU freshman WR Brayden Cosper and freshman WR Dax Milne. USU freshman OL Andy Koch attended Eleanor Roosevelt HS in Eastvale, Calif., as did BYU junior DB Chris Wilcox. USU freshman LB Parker McCary attended Richland (Wash.) HS, as did BYU senior DB Sawyer Powell.
 
STATS FOR AGGIES WITH MULTIPLE GAMES vs. BYU
• The following is a look at what current Utah State players have done against BYU in at least two games played. Senior P Aaron Dalton has 18 punts for 757 yards (42.1 ypp), including a long of 56, and five downed inside the 20-yard line in three games. Senior DE Adewale Adeoye has three tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, in two games. Senior LB Chase Christiansen has 10 tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, in two games. Senior S Gaje Ferguson has 17 tackles in two games. Senior NG Gasetoto Schuster has two tackles in two games. Senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver has seven catches for 88 yards (11.6 ypc) and one touchdown in two games. Junior DE Dalton Baker has one tackle in two games. Junior CB Cameron Haney has three tackles in two games. Junior TE Dax Raymond has three catches for 57 yards (15.7 ypc) and one touchdown in two games. Junior LB Justus Te'i has seven tackles in two games. Junior LB Mason Tobeck has three tackles in two games. Junior NG Mohelika Uasike has five tackles in two games. Junior NG Christopher 'Unga has six tackles in two games. And, junior DE Jacoby Wildman has three tackles in two games.
 
WELLS AND SITAKE TWO OF 22 FBS HEAD COACHES AT ALMA MATER
• Utah State head coach Matt Wells is one of 22 current FBS head coaches who are the head coaches at their alma mater, joining John Bonamego (Central Michigan), Troy Calhoun (Air Force), Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Scott Frost (Nebraska), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Jim Harbaugh (Michigan), Bryan Harsin (Boise State), Kliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech), Tim Lester (Western Michigan), Matt Luke (Ole Miss), Mike Neu (Ball State), Barry Odum (Missouri), Mark Richt (Miami), Nick Rolovich (Hawai'i), Scott Satterfield (Appalachian State), David Shaw (Stanford), Kalani Sitake (BYU), Kirby Smart (Georiga), Jonathan Smith (Oregon State) and Jeff Tedford (Fresno State).
 
• Of the 22 head coaches listed above who are currently at their alma mater, the Mountain West leads all conferences with five.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 36 players in its program from the state of Utah, while BYU has 47 players on its roster from the Beehive State.
 
SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND BYU
The following are series notables between Utah State and BYU dating back to 1993 and encompassing the last 19 meetings in the series.
 
• Utah State's 40 points in last year's meeting with BYU marked just the eighth time in series history that USU had scored 40 or more points against the Cougars. Furthermore, those 40 points were the most scored by USU in the series since its 58-56 home win against BYU in 1993.
 
• In the last 19 meetings, Utah State is 3-5 when leading at the half, while BYU is 11-0. USU is also 3-7 when scoring first, while BYU is 8-1 with its only loss coming in 2014. USU has scored first in seven of the last nine games, but is just 3-6 in those contests. USU has also led at the half in four of the last eight games, but is 3-5 in those contests. USU has also rushed for more yards in four of the last eight meetings, but is just 3-5 in those games.
 
• Utah State has gained more yards in two of the last four meetings and controlled the time of possession in three of the last four meetings. Prior to that, BYU had more yards in 14 of the previous 15 meetings and controlled the time of possession in 11 of the previous 15 meetings.
 
• The team with fewer turnovers has won 14 of the last 19 games.
 
• Neither team has recorded 500 yards of total offense in the last 11 meetings. However, BYU had 500 yards of total offense six times in the previous eight meetings, while USU had 500 yards twice in the previous eight meetings.
 
• In the last 19 meetings, BYU has had a 300-yard passer seven times, a 100-yard rusher seven times, with two of those players rushing for 200 yards, and a 100-yard receiver 13 times. USU has had a 300-yard passer four times in the last 19 meetings, a 100-yard rusher three times, and a 100-yard receiver seven times.
 
• In USU's 58-56 win in 1993, BYU tied the NCAA record at the time for most points scored by a losing team, tying Purdue's 56 points against Minnesota that same season.
 
• The winning team in the Utah State vs. BYU series has scored at least 27 points in 28 of the last 29 meetings, with the only exception being BYU's 6-3 win in Provo in 2012, which was the lowest scoring game in series history since a 0-0 tie in 1939 in Logan.
 
FROM THE RECORD BOOKS
Here is a look at some of the top Utah State statistical individual and team performances against BYU over the years.
 
• Anthony Calvillo tied the USU single-game record for touchdown passes with five against BYU in 1993... Calvillo also set single-game school records for total offensive plays (72), total offensive yards (537), points responsible for (42), pass attempts (57) and pass attempts without an interception (57) from that 1993 game... Calvillo also threw for 472 yards against BYU in 1993, which ranks as the third-most in school history.
 
• Jalen Davis intercepted three passes and returned two of them for touchdowns against BYU in 2017, both of which are single-game school records.
 
• Tom Larscheid returned a kickoff 102 yards against BYU in 1960, which ranks as the second-longest in school history.
 
• Aubrey Thompson set the USU single-game record for receptions by a tight end with 12 for 122 yards against BYU in 1993.
 
• Roger Fernandez set the USU single-game record for kickoff return yards with 219 on seven returns against BYU in 2001.
 
• Hunter Sharp set the USU single-game record for yards per reception (34.6) at BYU in 2014 as he caught five passes for 173 yards.
 
• Bob Gagliano threw for 358 yards against BYU in 1980, which ranks 27th all-time in school history.
 
• Aaron Jones had 195 receiving yards against BYU in 1999, which ranks 17th all-time at USU.
 
• Nakia Jenkins had 194 receiving yards against BYU in 1997, the 18th-most in school history.
 
• Jerome Dennis had a 75-yard interception return against BYU in 2002, which is tied for the 10th-longest interception return in USU history.
 
• Robert Turbin had an 80-yard run against BYU in 2011, which is tied for the 12th-longest run in school history.
 
• James Samuel had a 73-yard run against BYU in 2002, to rank as the 16th-longest in school history.
 
• Jeff Crosbie hit Aaron Jones on an 87-yard pass against BYU in 1999, to rank as the sixth-longest pass play in school history.
 
• Diondre Borel hit Xavier Martin on a 79-yard pass against BYU in 2010, which is tied for the 21st-longest pass play in school history.
 
• Rusty Carlsen had a 70-yard punt against BYU in 1989, which is tied for the 11th-longest in USU history.
 
• Brad Bohn kicked a 55-yard field goal against BYU in 1999, the fifth-longest in school history.
 
• Utah State's 654 yards of total offense against BYU in 1993 ranks fourth all-time in school history, while its 578 yards against BYU in 1972 ranks 18th all-time.
 
• Utah State's 472 passing yards against BYU in 1993 ranks third all-time in school history, while its 380 yards in 1997 ranks 19th all-time.
 
• Utah State's 383 rushing yards against BYU in 1961 ranks 14th all-time in school history.
 
• Utah State limited BYU to just 51 yards of total offense in 1961, which ranks second all-time in school history, 83 yards in 1963, which is tied for the fourth-fewest, and 106 yards in 1960, which ranks as the ninth-fewest in USU history. USU also limited BYU to just 25 passing yards in 1961 to rank as the 11th-fewest in school history.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State head coach Matt Wells was 25-of-48 passing for 218 yards for the Aggies against BYU in 1994, and had two tackles, including one for loss, to go along with a fumble recovery as a safety against BYU in 1996.
 
• USU assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Frank Maile started for the Aggies against BYU in 2006, but did not record any stats, in his only game played against the Cougars.
 
• USU outside receivers coach Jovon Bouknight had 25 receptions for 270 yards with two touchdowns in four games played for Wyoming against BYU, including seven catches for 87 yards and one touchdown as a senior in 2005 and nine catches for 96 yards as a freshman in 2002. Bouknight also had one career rush against the Cougars for 25 yards.
 
• USU Assistant AD for Football Operations Waqa Damuni had one reception for 29 yards for the Aggies against BYU in 1996 and did not record any stats against the Cougars in 1997.
 
• USU outside linebackers coach Uani 'Unga had 17 tackles, to go along with a forced fumble and fumble recovery for BYU against the Aggies in 2013, and one tackle for loss for BYU against the Aggies in 2012.
 
LAST MEETING vs. BRIGHAM YOUNG
LOGAN, Utah - Utah State senior CB Jalen Davis intercepted a career-high three passes and returned two of them for touchdowns as USU closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 40-24 home win over BYU on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, at Maverik Stadium.
               
Davis, who set a school record with his two pick-sixes, now has five interceptions on the season and 11 in his career, which is tied with three other players for the fourth-most in school history. Furthermore, the three picks tied a Mountain West record.
               
Senior QB Kent Myers was 16-of-27 passing for 176 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with 33 yards rushing, including a 19-yard touchdown run that gave the Aggies (3-2, 1-0 Mountain West) a 33-21 lead with 14:52 to go in the fourth quarter.
               
Utah State, which rallied from 14 points down, regained possession of the Old Wagon Wheel, the traveling trophy between the two schools. That 14-point deficit overcome is USU's largest since rallying from 20 points down (27-7) against Nevada in 2015.
               
Davis' three interceptions were a part of seven takeaways by the Aggies, including fumble recoveries by junior linebackers Derek Larsen and Suli Tamaivena, and redshirt freshman CB Ja'Marcus Ingram. Additionally, senior BS Dallin Leavitt, who began his collegiate career at BYU, had an interception, seven tackles and a pass breakup.
               
Freshman RB Ula Tolutao led BYU (1-4) with 102 yards rushing on 21 carries, while quarterbacks Koy Detmer Jr. and Beau Hoge combined to go 12-of-29 for 186 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with four interceptions.
               
Junior WR Ron'quavion Tarver led all receivers in the game with six receptions for 76 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass from Myers that tied the game at 21-all with 1:11 remaining in the first half.
               
Senior RB LaJuan Hunt led Utah State's ground game with 65 yards on 18 carries.              
               
Tamaivena recorded a career- and game-high 13 tackles for the Aggies, while fellow junior LB Chase Christiansen added a career-best 10 stops, including 1.0 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
               
Utah State took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in nine plays, scoring on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Myers to redshirt sophomore TE Dax Raymond and the Aggies led 7-0 with 11:40 left in the first quarter.
               
However, the tide turned in favor of the Cougars after Micah Hannemann intercepted a pass by Myers and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. BYU ended up reeling off 21 unanswered points to open a 21-7 lead with 13:30 left in the second quarter.
               
But, just as soon as the Cougars grabbed the momentum, the Aggies got it back - courtesy of their own pick-six. Davis intercepted a pass by Hoge and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown, brining USU to within 21-14 with 11:02 left in the second.
               
After Leavitt intercepted a pass by Detmer, the Aggies turned the pick into three more points. Sophomore PK Dominik Eberle connected from 32 yards out to send Utah State into the locker room with a 24-21 lead.
               
BYU turned it over again on its very first drive of the second half. USU senior DE Ian Togiai forced the fumble and Ingram recovered it. The Aggies then scored on a 40-yard field goal by Eberle to make it 27-21 with 12:56 to go in the third.
               
After BYU pulled within 33-24 following a 37-yard field goal with 12:28 to go, Davis sealed it for the Aggies with 50-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:00 to go.
 
LAST MEETING at BRIGHAM YOUNG
PROVO, Utah -  Jamaal Williams rushed for 131 yards and one touchdown as BYU beat Utah State 28-10 in the battle for the Wagon Wheel on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at LaVell Edwards Stadium. With the loss, the Aggies end the season at 3-9. The Cougars improved to 8-4.
               
Junior QB Kent Myers was 12-of-23 passing for 103 yards and one interception, and added 42 rushing yards on 12 carries. Junior WR Braelon Roberts and freshman WR Rayshad Lewis had three catches apiece for Utah State. Senior TE Wyatt Houston had two catches for 22 yards. He caught at least one pass in every game this season and finished his stellar Aggie career by catching a pass in 18 straight games. Junior RB Tonny Lindsey, Jr. led USU's ground attack with 47 yards on eight carries.
               
BYU QB Taysom Hill was 10-of-21 passing for 101 yards and a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell Juergens that gave the Cougars a 21-10 lead late in the third quarter. Hill also had 46 yards rushing on 12 carries, but was injured early in the fourth quarter after landing awkwardly on his elbow. Tanner Mangum replaced Hill and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Colby Pearson for the game's final score with 12:55 to go.
               
Utah State finished with a season-low 200 yards of total offense, and only 46 in the second half, as the Aggies had 103 passing yards and 97 yards rushing. BYU recorded 355 total yards, including 249 on the ground. The Cougars dominated the time of possession, 36:48 to 23:12. BYU also had 15 more first downs in the game (26-11), while both teams committed two turnovers in the contest.
               
Defensively, the Aggies were led by senior LB Anthony Williams, who had a game-best 12 tackles, including 1.0 sack, to end the season with four-straight double-digit tackle outings. Redshirt sophomore BS Gaje Ferguson added eight stops and senior LB Brock Carmen recorded seven tackles.
               
Playing against his former team, redshirt junior BS Dallin Leavitt had one of two interceptions by the Aggies. Junior CB Jalen Davis had the other.
               
Utah State cracked the scoreboard first when senior PK Brock Warren drilled a 28-yard field goal with 9:39 left in the opening quarter. The Aggies had a chance to make it 6-0 on their next possession, but redshirt freshman PK Dominik Eberle missed a 46-yard field goal attempt into the wind wide right.
               
Sophomore P Aaron Dalton punted six times for 261 yards (43.5 ypp), with a season-long of 56 yards as two of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.
               
The Cougars opened up a 14-3 second-quarter lead following a 2-yard touchdown run by Williams and a 52-yard fumble recovery for a score by Michael Shelton.
               
With BYU leading 7-3 and the Aggies facing fourth-and-1 from midfield, junior QB Damion Hobbs picked up the first down on a rush up the middle. However, when it appeared as if his forward progress was stopped, BYU's defense pushed Hobbs back and stripped the ball. Shelton scooped it up and returned it for the score.
               
Utah State got some much-needed momentum back, though, when Davis intercepted a pass by Hill that bounced off a BYU receiver. Davis returned it 37 yards to the Cougars' 6-yard line. Two plays later, Hobbs scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with just 42 seconds remaining in the second. The Aggies trailed 14-10 at the break.
 
UTAH STATE FOURTH IN THE NATION IN SCORING OFFENSE
• Utah State ranks first in the Mountain West and fourth in the nation in scoring with an average of 51.5 points per game. USU also ranks third in the MW and 14th in the nation in completion percentage (.689), third in the MW and 30th in the nation in total offense (472.5 ypg), fourth in the MW and 42nd in the nation in sacks allowed (1.50 ppg), fifth in the MW and 28th in the nation in passing offense (284.5 ypg), fifth in the MW and 55th in the nation in rushing offense (188.0 ypg), and fifth in the MW and 57th in the nation in passing efficiency (140.6).
 
• Utah State also ranks third in the Mountain West and 23rd in the nation with a third down conversion percentage of 46.9 (23-49).
 
AGGIE DEFENSE RANKS 14TH NATIONALLY IN TACKLES FOR LOSS
• Utah State ranks second in the Mountain West and 14th in the nation with an average of 8.5 tackles for loss per game. USU also ranks first in the MW and 16th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (103.6), first in the MW and 22nd in the nation in passing defense (170.3 ypg), third in the MW and 38th in the nation in sacks (2.75 pg), fourth in the MW and 52nd in the nation in total defense (357.0 ypg), fourth in the MW and 53rd in the nation in scoring defense (23.8 ppg), and 10th in the MW in rushing defense (186.8 ypg).
 
AGGIES RANK 13TH IN THE NATION WITH 10 FORCED TURNOVERS
• Utah State has forced 10 turnovers (5 interceptions, 5 fumbles) this year to rank second in the Mountain West behind Fresno State (13) and tied for 13th in the nation. USU also ranks third in the MW and 12th in the nation with its five fumble recoveries, fourth in the MW and 29th in the nation with its five interceptions, and third in the MW and 38th in the nation in turnover margin (+0.5).
 
• With its 10 turnovers this season, USU has now forced 151 turnovers in its last 79 games, including at least one turnover in 62 of its last 79 games. USU has also recorded 71 interceptions in its last 66 games, including at least one pick in 36 of its last 66 games and multiple interceptions in 21 of its last 66 games. Overall, USU has forced three or more turnovers in 18 of its last 54 games. 
 
UTAH STATE 10TH IN THE NATION WITH ITS TWO DEFENSIVE SCORES
• Utah State is third in the Mountain West and 10th in the nation with its two defensive touchdowns this year as S Gaje Ferguson returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown at No. 11 Michigan State and senior CB Deante Fortenberry returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown against New Mexico State. Overall, USU has scored 18 defensive touchdowns in its last 63 games, including five last season to rank fourth in the nation.
 
UTAH STATE FIFTH IN THE NATION IN KICKOFF RETURNS
• Utah State ranks first in the Mountain West and fifth in the nation in kickoff returns (30.3 ypr), second in the conference and 27th in the nation in punt returns (15.2 ypr), fourth in the MW and 47th in the nation in net punting (39.38 ypp), and ninth in the MW in kickoff return defense (23.2 ypr).
 
AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS
• Junior PK Dominik Eberle leads the nation in field goal percentage as he is 8-for-8 on the season (1.000). He is also tied for first in the Mountain West and tied for third in the nation in field goals made (2.0 ppg), and second in the MW and sixth in the nation in scoring (11.8 ppg). Sophomore LB David Woodward is first in the MW and tied for fourth in the nation in tackles (13.3 pg). Redshirt junior LB Tipa Galeai is tied for first in the MW and tied for 10th in the nation in sacks (1.1 pg), tied for second in the MW and tied for 10th in the nation in forced fumbles with two, tied for second in the MW and tied for 13th in the nation in tackles for loss (1.75 pg), and tied for 24th in the MW in tackles (6.0 pg). Sophomore WR Savon Scarver is tied first in the MW and tied for second in the nation in kickoff returns for touchdown with one, and second in the MW and fourth in the nation in kickoff returns (33.0 ypr). Sophomore WR Jordan Nathan is tied for first in the MW and tied for second in the nation with one punt return for touchdown, and first in the MW and ninth in the nation in punt returns (16.6 ypr). Senior DE Adewale Adeoye is tied for first in the MW and tied for third in the nation with two fumbles recovered, and tied for 44th in the MW in tackles (5.0 pg). Senior S Gaje Ferguson is tied for first in the MW and tied for 17th in the nation with two interceptions, tied for seventh in the MW and tied for 32nd in the nation with one fumble recovery, and tied for 22nd in the MW in tackles (6.2 pg). Senior S Aaron Wade is tied for first in the MW and tied for 17th in the nation with two interceptions. Junior RB Darwin Thompson is tied for first in the MW and tied for 10th in the nation with six rushing touchdowns, tied for third in the MW and tied for 28th in the nation in scoring (9.0 ppg), and eighth in the MW and 94th in the nation in rushing (66.3 ypg). Sophomore QB Jordan Love ranks third in the MW and 21st in the nation in completion percentage (.667), fourth in the MW and 25th in the nation in passing (267.5 ypg), fifth in the MW and 43rd in the nation in total offense (264.8 ypg), and fifth in the MW and 57th in the nation in passing efficiency (141.0). Senior LB Ofa Latu is tied for seventh in the MW and tied for 32nd in the nation with one fumble recovered. Junior DE Devon Anderson is tied for seventh in the MW and tied for 32nd in the nation with one fumble recovered. Sophomore LB Maika Magalei is tied for sixth in the MW and tied for 51st in the nation with one forced fumble. Junior RB Gerold Bright ranks tied for seventh in the MW and tied for 57th in the nation with four rushing touchdowns, and sixth in the MW and 76th in the nation in rushing (72.0 ypg). Junior DE Dalton Baker is tied for seventh in the MW and tied for 65th in the nation with one forced fumble. Junior CB DJ Williams is tied for seventh in the MW and tied for 65th in the nation with one forced fumble. Sophomore S Shaq Bond is tied for ninth in the MW in passes defended (1.0 pg), and tied for 44th in the MW in tackles (5.0 pg). Senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver is ninth in the MW and 50th in the nation in receptions (5.5 pg). Senior LB Chase Christiansen is 15th in the MW and 99th in the nation in tackles (7.8 pg). Senior S Jontrell Rocquemore is tied for 17th in the MW in tackles (7.0 pg). And, junior NG Christopher 'Unga is tied for 44th in the MW in tackles (5.0 pg). 
 
GAME 4 RECAP vs. AIR FORCE
LOGAN, Utah - Sophomore QB Jordan Love passed for a career-high 356 yards and two touchdowns as Utah State defeated Air Force 42-32 in the Mountain West opener for both teams at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018.
               
The first of Love's career-high-tying two touchdown passes, a 43-yarder to senior WR Aaren Vaughns with 1:02 left in the second quarter, put the Aggies ahead for good and gave them a 21-14 lead at the break.
 
With the win, Utah State improved to 3-1, marking the first time since 2012 the Aggies have opened by winning three of their first four games. Furthermore, Utah State is 5-1 all-time in Mountain West openers. Air Force dropped to 1-2 overall.
               
After Utah State junior RB Darwin Thompson opened the game's scoring on a 6-yard touchdown run with 9:18 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons reeled off the next 14 points thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run from Isaiah Sanders and an 8-yard touchdown run from Cole Fagan. Thompson finished the game with two rushing touchdowns.
               
Less than one minute after Fagan found the end zone, the Aggies answered with a touchdown of their own, a 4-yard run by junior RB Gerold Bright to knot the score at 14-apiece with 6:18 left in the half. Bright end the game with 101 rushing yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.
               
Beginning with Bright's touchdown, Utah State scored 28 unanswered points to seemingly seize control. Thompson added his second score of the night on a 1-yard run with 9:04 left in the third quarter and junior TE Dax Raymond caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Love just 49 seconds later to make it 35-14.
               
Raymond's touchdown came one play after senior S Gaje Ferguson recovered a fumble by Air Force. Ferguson finished his night with a career- and game-high 15 tackles, while fellow senior S Jontrell Rocquemore added a career-best 13 stops, including 2.0 tackles for loss.
               
Three other Aggies posted double-digit tackles on the night in senior LB Suli Tamaivena (12), junior LB Tipa Galeai (career-high 11) and sophomore LB David Woodward (11).
               
The Falcons pulled to within 35-32 with exactly 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Aggies sealed the victory on a 70-yard touchdown run by Bright with 6:52 to go.
               
On the ensuing possession, Air Force drove to the Aggies' 16-yard line, where they faced fourth-and-1 with just over two minutes remaining. The Falcons elected to go for it, but Sanders was stuffed for no gain by USU senior DE Adewale Adeoye.
               
Utah State senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver led the Aggies with nine receptions for 128 yards, while Raymond had four catches for 68 yards and senior WR Jalen Greene also had four receptions for 42 yards. Greene was instrumental in Bright's game-clinching touchdown as he threw a key block.
               
Utah State finished the night with 489 yards of total offense (356 passing, 133 rushing) as compared to 471 yards (323 rushing, 148 passing) for Air Force. The Falcons dominated the ball as they ran a school-record 107 plays and held it for 43:40. USU ran just 62 plays and had the ball for just 16:20. However, four of USU's touchdown drives were less than a minute, while the other two were 94 seconds and 2 minutes, 51 seconds. The Aggies also had two turnovers in the game as compared to one for the Falcons.
 
LOVE NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
• Sophomore QB Jordan Love was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week following his performance in Utah State's 42-32 conference win against Air Force in his last outing. Against the Falcons, Love was 26-of-38 (.684) passing for a career-high 356 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns. Overall, it is his third-career 300-yard passing game, including his second this season, and his fourth-career game with two touchdown throws, incuding his second this year. Love was also named the College Sports Madness Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week. Overall, it is the first time this year and second time in his career that Love has earned conference player of the week accolades, and the 19th time USU has received the award in six years in the league.
 
• In his last two games, Love is 47-of-64 (.734) passing for 592 yards (296.0 ypg) with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Love has also not thrown an interception in his last 81 pass attempts. 
 
BRIGHT RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS AGAINST AIR FORCE
• Junior RB Gerold Bright notched his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and the third of his career in his last outing against Air Force as he carried the ball 11 times for 101 yards (9.2 ypc), including a season-long 70-yard run for a touchdown to seal the win. Bright also scored on a 4-yard run against the AFA, giving him four rushing touchdowns this season and seven in his career. Those two rushing touchdowns against the Falcons were a career high.
 
• In his last three games, Bright has carried the ball 38 times for 290 yards (7.7 ypc/96.7 ypg) with four touchdowns. He has also had two 100-yard rushing games in his last three outings as he carried the ball a career-high 14 times for a career-best 134 yards against New Mexico State, to go along with his outing against Air Force. Overall, Bright has scored at least one rushing touchdown in each of his last three games.
 
TARVER HAS CAREER GAME AGAINST AIR FORCE
• Senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver had a career game in his last outing against Air Force as he tied his career high with nine receptions for 128 yards. For Tarver, it was his third-career 100-yard receiving game, including his second against the Falcons, as he caught nine passes for a career high 143 yards against the AFA in 2016. Overall, Tarver has now had at least five receptions in each of his last three games.
 
THOMPSON RECORDS FIRST-CAREER 100-YARD RUSHING GAME
• Junior RB Darwin Thompson recorded his first-career 100-yard rushing game two games ago against Tennessee Tech as he carried the ball six times for 107 yards (17.8 ypc), which included a 65-yard touchdown run. Thompson did not play in the second half against the Golden Eagles.
 
• Thompson has scored at least one rushing touchdown in each of his first four games for Utah State as he scored two touchdowns at No. 11 Michigan State from two and one yard, and then scored on a career-long run of 68 yards against New Mexico State, to go along with his 65-yard touchdown run against Tennessee Tech. He then added two more touchdown runs from six and one yard against Air Force.
 
• In his last three games, Thompson has carried the ball 18 times for 237 yards (13.2 ypc/79.0 ypg) with four touchdowns.
 
RAYMOND CATCHES FIRST TOUCHDOWN PASS OF THE SEASON
• Junior TE Dax Raymond caught his first touchdown pass of the season and the second of his career on a 30-yard reception in his last game against Air Force. In his last two games, Raymond has caught seven passes for 125 yards (17.9 ypr/62.5 ypg) with one touchdown.
 
VAUGHNS CATCHES TOUCHDOWNS IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
• After playing the first 14 games of his Utah State career without catching a touchdown pass, senior WR Aaren Vaughns has now caught touchdowns in back-to-back games as he had a two-yard score two games ago against Tennessee Tech and then had a career-long 43-yard reception for a touchdown in his last outing against Air Force.
 
GREENE CATCHES SEASON-HIGH FOUR PASSES IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
• Senior WR Jalen Greene has caught a season-high four passes in each of his last two games as he had four receptions for 31 yards against Tennessee Tech and four receptions for a season-high 42 yards in his last outing against Air Force. Green also caught his first touchdown pass as an Aggie against New Mexico State on a 14-yard reception, and began his USU career by catching three passes for 40 yards at No. 11 Michigan State.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State had a 300-yard passer, 100-yard receiver and 100-yard rusher against Air Force in its last game as sophomore QB Jordan Love passed for a career-high 356 yards, senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver had 128 receiving yards and junior RB Gerold Bright had 101 rushing yards. For USU, it was the first time since the 2013 season that USU had a 300-yard passer, 100-yard receiver and 100-yard rusher in the same game since Darell Garreston passed for 370 yards, Travis Reynolds had 152 receiving yards, and Joey DeMartino rushed for 104 yards against Hawai'i.
 
• Utah State has had a 100-yard rusher in each of its last three games, in seven of its last eight games, and in eight of its last 10 games dating back to last season. Between the 2014 and 2016 seasons, USU had a total of nine 100-yard rushers over a 39-game span.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS OF THE UTAH STATE vs. AIR FORCE GAME
• In Utah State's 42-32 Mountain West win against Air Force in its last outing, USU ran a season-low 62 plays, but averaged 7.9 yards per play, en route to its 489 yards of total offense. Furthermore, USU held the ball for just 16:20 in the game, in large part to the fact that it had four touchdown drives that took less than 60 seconds, while another touchdown drive lasted just 1:34 and its other lasted just 2:51. Conversely, Air Force ran a school-record 107 plays in the game and held the ball for 43:40, but averaged just 4.4 yards per play and just 3.8 yards per rush, as it finished the game with 323 rushing yards on 86 carries and 471 yards of total offense.
 
• That 16:20 time of possession for Utah State is its fewest since holding the ball for just 16:01 at Oklahoma State in 1996, while the 107 plays ran by Air Force were the most by an Aggie opponent since Louisiana Tech ran 108 plays in 2012.
 
FERGUSON NOTCHES THIRD TURNOVER OF THE SEASON
• Senior S Gaje Ferguson recorded his third turnover of the season in his last game against Air Force as he recovered his first-career fumble. Ferguson also has two interceptions on the season as he returned an interception 40 yards for his first-career touchdown at No. 11 Michigan State in the season opener and then intercepted his second career pass against Tennessee Tech.
 
• Ferguson also posted a career-high 15 tackles in his last outing against Air Force for his fifth-career double-digit tackle outing, including his first this season.
 
ROCQUEMORE RECORDS CAREER-HIGH 13 TACKLES AGAINST AIR FORCE
• Senior S Jontrell Rocquemore recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including a career-best 2.0 tackles for loss, in his last outing against Air Force. Overall, it is his second-career double-digit tackle outing.
 
TAMAIVENA POSTS DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLES IN FIRST OUTING OF THE SEASON
• Senior LB Suli Tamaivena had 12 tackles in his last outing against Air Force, which was his first action of the season after missing the first three games due to injury. For Tamaivena, he now has seven career double-digit tackle games.
 
WOODWARD RECORDS THIRD-STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLE OUTING
• Sophomore LB David Woodward recorded his third-straight double-digit tackle outing with his 11 stops against Air Force in his last outing. Woodward also had a career-high 16 tackles in the season opener at No. 11 Michigan State and then had 13 tackles against New Mexico State. Woodward, who did not play against Tennessee Tech, now has four career double-digit tackle outings.
 
GALEAI TORMENTING OPPONENTS IN SHORT TIME AT UTAH STATE
• Redshirt junior LB Tipa Galeai has tormented Aggie opponents in his first four games as an Aggie. In his season opener at No. 11 Michigan State, he had 2.0 sacks as part of his four tackles, while adding his first-career forced fumble, to go along with one quarterback hurry. Against New Mexico State, he forced another fumble and had 1.5 sacks and 2.0 tackles for loss as part of his season-high six stops. Against Tennessee Tech, he had 2.0 tackles for loss as part of his three stops, while adding his first-career pass breakup. And against Air Force, he had a season-high 11 tackles, which included 1.0 sacks, while adding a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry, not to mention his first career blocked kick as he blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt.
 
ADEOYE RECORDS CAREER-HIGH SEVEN TACKLES AGAINST AIR FORCE
• Senior DE Adewale Adeoye recorded a career-high seven tackles in his last outing against Air Force, and has now recorded at least six tackles in three of his first four games this season. Adeoye also recovered a pair of fumbles, the first of his career, earlier this season against New Mexico State.
 
OTHER DEFENSIVE NOTABLES FROM THE AIR FORCE GAME
• Junior NG Christopher 'Unga had a career-high nine tackles. Junior DE Dalton Baker had a career-high eight tackles, including his first tackle for loss, giving him 2.0 tackles for loss in his career. Junior DE Devon Anderson had his first sack this season, giving him 2.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in his career. Senior S Aaron Wade had 0.5 tackles for loss, giving him 1.0 tackles for loss this season and in his career. Junior LB Justus Te'i had a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss, giving him 4.0 tackles for loss in his career. Junior CB DJ Williams had two pass breakups, giving him three pass breakups on the season. Sophomore S Shaq Bond had one pass breakup, giving him four pass breakups on the season.
 
HINTZE HAS CAREER GAME AGAINST AIR FORCE
• Junior P Taylor Hintze punted a season-high six times, including a season-long of 67 yards, to go along with a 54-yarder in his last outing against Air Force, giving him three 50-yard punts this year. He also had two punts downed inside the 20-yard line against the Falcons, giving him three punts downed inside the 20-yard line this season.
 
AGGIES BLOCK FIRST KICK OF THE SEASON IN AIR FORCE GAME
• Utah State blocked its first kick of the 2018 season in its last game against Air Force as junior LB Tipa Galeai blocked a 40-yard field goal. Last year, USU ranked fourth in the nation with four blocked punts and the single-season school record for blocks is six set in 2012 (3 FGs, 2 punts, 1 PAT). Overall, USU has blocked 15 kicks under Wells.
 
EBERLE NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
• Junior PK Dominik Eberle was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week and the College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention National Performer of the Week on Sept. 10, 2018, following his performance against New Mexico State as he tied two NCAA records, and set two other Mountain West and school records. For Eberle, it is the first time in his career he has garnered MW Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Eberle was also recognized as a Lou Groza Award Star of the Week.
 
EBERLE TIES TWO NCAA RECORDS
• Junior PK Dominik Eberle tied two NCAA records in Utah State's 60-13 home win against New Mexico State. First, Eberle tied the NCAA record for points scored in game by a kicker with 24, a record that was set by Western Michigan's Mike Prindle in 1984. Eberle also tied an NCAA record with his three 51-yard field goals, becoming just the sixth player ever to kick three 50-plus yard field goals in a game.
 
• Eberle also set school and Mountain West records with his six made field goals, while his six field goal attempts ties his own school record that was set last season. In all, Eberle made field goals from 44, 32, 51, 21, 51 and 51 yards, as those six made field goals are tied for the third-most in a single-game in NCAA history.
 
• Eberle also kicked off 12 times for 754 yards (averaging 62.8 yards per kick) with nine touchbacks in the game against New Mexico State.
 
• Eberle is now 8-of-8 this season and 29-of-37 in his career on field goal attempts, including 1-of-1 this year and 11-of-12 in his career from 20-29 yards, 2-of-2 this season and 7-of-8 in his career from 30-39 yards, 2-of-2 this year and 7-of-13 in his career from 40-49 yards, and 3-of-3 this year and 4-of-4 in his career from 50+ yards. His three 51-yard field goals are season-longs and tied for the 18th-longest in school history. In fact, Eberle is the only kicker in school history to have four or more 50-yard field goals in a career as he made a career-long 52-yarder last year.
 
EBERLE SETS SCHOOL RECORD FOR CONSECUTIVE EXTRA POINTS MADE
• Junior PK Dominik Eberle made all six of his extra points in his last game against Air Force and is now a perfect 70-for-70 on extra points in his career, which is a school record. The previous record for consecutive PAT's made was 64 by Willie Beecher (1981-84). Overall, Eberle is one of just three kickers in school history with a minimum of 30 PAT's made to have never missed an extra point, joining Beecher, who was 64-of-64 all-time on extra points, and Russ Moody (1988-89), who was 44-of-44 all-time on extra points. All-time, Eberle is tied for seventh all-time in school history with Josh Thompson (2011-13) in extra points made and ninth all-time in extra points attempted.
 
• Eberle is one of just seven kickers in school history to not miss an extra point for an entire season, joining Nick Diaz (2012), Peter Caldwell (2010, 2007), Doug Beach (1990), Willie Beecher (1982), Tom Mayes (1975) and Steve Steinke (1978).
 
EBERLE SECOND ALL-TIME IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
• Junior PK Dominik Eberle is 8-for-8 on field goal attempts this season and 29-of-37 on field goal attempts in his career, and his 78.4 conversion percentage ranks second all-time in school history. Russ Moody (1988-89) holds the school record for field goal percentage at 84.6, as he was 22-of-26 all-time on field goal attempts.
 
• Eberle also ranks eighth all-time in school history in field goals made with 29 and ninth all-time in field goals attempted with 37. Brad Bohn (1997-2000) was 59-of-89 on field goals in his career, to rank first all-time in school history in both categories..
 
EBERLE SECOND IN SINGLE-SEASON POINTS BY A KICKER
• Junior PK Dominik Eberle scored 101 points in 2017 with 47 extra points and 18 field goals, to rank as the second-most points scored by a kicker in a single season in school history. Nick Diaz set the school record for points scored by a kicker with 102 during the 2013 season with 17 field goals and 51 extra points.
 
EBERLE NAMED ALL-AMERICAN AND FINALIST FOR LOU GROZA AWARD
• Utah State junior Dominik Eberle was named a third-team All-American by Phil Steele's Magazine and an honorable mention All-American by SB Nation in 2017. Eberle is the first-ever USU placekicker named an All-American and just the second-ever specialist, joining Steve Mullins, who was named an honorable mention All-American punter by Football News in 2001.
 
• Eberle was also named a finalist for the 2017 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl. Eberle was one of three finalists to land on the list, joining Daniel Carlson of Auburn and Matt Gay of Utah, who won the award. Eberle and Gay are just the second and third players from the Beehive State (Utah's Louie Sakoda in 2008) to be named a Lou Groza finalist, and Eberle is the fifth player from a current Mountain West institution.
 
• Other than Merlin Olsen winning the Outland Trophy in 1961, this is the first time Utah State has ever had a player named a finalist for a national award.
 
• Heading into 2018, Eberle is a preseason second-team All-American by Athlon Sports.
 
WHAT'S RETURNING IN 2018
• Utah State returns 18 starters (O-9, D-9) and 47 letterwinners (O-19, D-26, S-2) from last year's team that tied for fourth place in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West with a 4-4 record and finished the season at 6-7 after playing in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. Highlighting Utah State's returners in 2018 are four players who earned various all-Mountain West honors a season ago as junior PK Dominik Eberle earned third-team All-America honors from Phil Steele's Magazine and honorable mention All-America honors from SB Nation, along with being a first-team all-MW selection and a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, while senior OT Roman Andrus, senior OC Quin Ficklin and junior TE Dax Raymond all garnered honorable mention all-MW honors. Utah State returns six other starters on offense in senior OG Rob Castaneda, senior OT Sean Taylor, senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver, junior OG Moroni Iniguez, sophomore QB Jordan Love and sophomore WR Jordan Nathan. USU also returns nine starters on defense in senior DE Adewale Adeoye, senior LB Chase Christiansen, senior S Gaje Ferguson, senior LB Suli Tamaivena, junior DE Devon Anderson, junior CB Cameron Haney, junior LB Justus Te'i, junior NG Christopher 'Unga and sophomore CB Ja'Marcus Ingram, to go along with one other specialists returning in senior P Aaron Dalton.
 
COACHING CHANGES IN 2018
• Utah State's coaching staff has two additions this season as Keith Patterson was hired as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach, replacing Kendrick Shaver, while Uani 'Unga was hired as the new 10th assistant and will coach outside linebackers after serving as a defensive administrative assistant for USU in 2017.
 
• Utah State enters the 2018 season with the same offensive coordinator, David Yost, for the first time since the 2014 season when Kevin McGiven served in that role.
 
• Utah State will have all of its coaches working with the special teams during the 2018 season and does not have a special teams coordinator. In fact, USU is one of just three FBS programs that doesn't have a special teams coordinator in 2018, joining Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
 
WHAT UTAH STATE MUST REPLACE FROM 2017
• Utah State must replace two players who earned all-Mountain West honors in 2017, including CB Jalen Davis, who earned first-team honors, and S Dallin Leavitt, who was named to the honorable mention team. Other starters lost include RB LaJuan Hunt and WR Braelon Roberts. Along with being named first-team all-MW, Davis was also named a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and earned second-team All-America honors from both The Associated Press and the Football Writers Association of America.
 
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS FOR UTAH STATE
• According to College Football Home, Utah State is predicted to be the second-most improved team in the nation in 2018, behind only Florida. Furthermore, USU's special teams are predicted to be the fourth-best units in the nation this fall, behind only Utah, Stanford and TCU.
 
• According to West Coast College Football, Utah State has the fourth-best chance at winning the Mountain West championship in 2018, behind Boise State, San Diego State and Fresno State.
 
THOMPSON ONE OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S MOST FREAKISH ATHLETES
• According to NFL.com, Utah State junior RB Darwin Thompson is listed as the 17th-most 'Freak-ish Athlete' in college football heading into the 2018 season. Some of the reasoning behind this ranking comes from his performances in the weight room as he has squatted 560 pounds, including seven reps at 515 pounds. Furthermore, Thompson has logged a vertical jump of 40 inches.
 
RAYMOND RANKS AS SIXTH-BEST TIGHT END IN THE NATION
• According to College Football Focus, Utah State junior Dax Raymond is ranked as the sixth-best tight end in the nation heading into the 2018 season, behind Noah Fant (Iowa), Caleb Wilson (UCLA), Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri), Hunter Bryant (Washington) and Kaden Smith (Stanford).
 
LOVE PROJECTED AS ONE OF THE TOP BREAKOUT QUARTERBACKS IN 2018
• According to Athlon Sports, Utah State sophomore Jordan Love is ranked 25th in the nation among quarterbacks that will have a breakout season in 2018. Other Mountain West quarterbacks to make this list include UNLV's Armani Rogers (20) and Nevada's Ty Gangi (15).
 
UTAH STATE BOWL HISTORY
• Utah State has a 4-8 bowl record all-time as it lost to San José State, 20-0, in the 1946 Raisin Bowl (Fresno, Calif.); lost to Pacific, 35-21, in the 1947 Grape Bowl (Lodi, Calif.); lost to New Mexico State, 20-13, in the 1960 Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas); lost to Baylor, 24-9, in the 1961 Gotham Bowl (New York City); defeated Ball State, 42-33, in the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl II; lost to Cincinnati, 35-19, in the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl; lost to Ohio, 24-23, in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; defeated Toledo, 41-15, in the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; defeated No. 24 Northern Illinois, 21-14, in the 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl; defeated UTEP, 21-6, in the 2014 Gildan New Mexico Bowl; lost to Akron, 23-21, in the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl; and lost to New Mexico State, 26-20 in overtime, in the 2017 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.
 
• Utah State finished the 2017 season by playing in its sixth bowl game in the last seven seasons and 12th bowl game in school history. USU also played in five-straight bowl games from 2011-15 and won three-straight bowls from 2012-14, both of which are school records.
 
AGGIES CURRENTLY IN THE NFL AND CFL
• Utah State currently has 13 players on NFL rosters and has had 11 players drafted into the NFL in the past eight years. Former Aggies currently in the NFL include DE Ricky Ali'ifua (Seattle), LB Jalen Davis (Miami), LB Kyler Fackrell (Green Bay), OG Tyler Larsen (Carolina), CB Nevin Lawson (Detroit), S Dallin Leavitt (Oakland), OT Donald Penn (Oakland), LS Patrick Scales (Chicago), WR Hunter Sharp (Buffalo), RB Robert Turbin (Indianapolis), LB Nick Vigil (Cincinnati), LB Zach Vigil (Washington) and LB Bobby Wagner (Seattle). USU also has two former Aggies currently in the Canadian Football League in LB Chris Randle (Winnipeg) and DE Connor Williams (Ottawa).
 
CURRENT AGGIES WITH NFL TIES
• Utah State has one player on its current roster whose father played in the NFL in junior LB Mason Tobeck (Robbie Tobeck). His dad, Robbie Tobeck (OL), spent 14 seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons (1993-99) and Seattle Seahawks (2000-06).
 
AGGIES WHO HAVE SERVED LDS CHURCH MISSIONS
• Utah State has 25 players on its 2018 roster who have served two-year LDS Church Missions in senior OL Roman Andrus, senior OL Quin Ficklin, senior LB Ofa Latu, senior WR DJ Nelson, senior OL KJ Uluave, junior TE Dax Raymond, junior LB Braden Harris, junior OL Moroni Iniguez, junior S Chance Parker, junior NG Mohelika Uasike, junior DE Jacoby Wildman, sophomore DE Caden Andersen, sophomore WR Taylor Compton, sophomore DE Ritisoni Fata, sophomore S Baron Gajkowski, sophomore DE Logan Lee, sophomore OL Connor Meyers, sophomore S Chase Nelson, sophomore DE Keith Tambe, redshirt freshman WR Preston Curtis, redshirt freshman RB Sione Fehoko, redshirt sophomore S Jordan Hayes, redshirt freshman LB Daniel Langi, freshman OL Wade Meacham and freshman TE Bryce Mortenson. 
 
AGGIES WHO ARE MARRIED
• Utah State has 12 players on its 2018 roster who are married in senior LB Chase Christiansen, senior S Gaje Ferguson, senior LB Suli Tamaivena, senior OL KJ Uluave, redshirt junior DE Fua Leilua, junior DE Dalton Baker, junior OL Moroni Iniguez, junior S Chance Parker, junior DE Jacoby Wildman, sophomore DE Keith Tambe, redshirt freshman LB Daniel Langi and freshman OL Wade Meacham.
 
UTAH STATE HAS FIVE BOWL TEAMS ON ITS 2018 SCHEDULE
• Utah State's 2018 schedule features five teams that played in bowl games a year ago as Michigan State played in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl (W, 42-17 vs. Washington State); New Mexico State played in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl (W, 26-20 OT vs. Utah State); Wyoming played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (W, 37-14 vs. Central Michigan); Colorado State played in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl (L, 31-28 vs. Marshall); and Boise State played in the Las Vegas Bowl (W, 38-28 vs. Oregon).
 
AGGIES IN OVERTIME
• Utah State is 6-6 all-time in overtime, winning three of its last five. All-time, USU is 4-3 in single-overtime games, 2-2 in double-overtime games, and 0-1 in triple-overtime games. USU's last overtime game was a 26-20 loss against New Mexico State in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29, 2017.
 
ACADEMICALLY SPEAKING
• Utah State earned the 2017 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Academic Achievement Award, which is presented by the Touchdown Club of Memphis, as it recorded a 100 percent graduation rate for members of their freshman football student-athlete class of 2010.
 
• Utah State's football team has a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 89 percent to rank first in the Mountain West. The Aggies also rank first among the other football programs in the Beehive State, ahead of Utah (83), Southern Utah (67), Weber State (66) and BYU (52). 
 
• Over the past eight seasons, USU has had 166 players earn academic all-league honors and 156 players have graduated from Utah State.
 
• Utah State had two football players earn College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) first-team Academic All-District VIII honors in 2017 in junior DE Jacoby Wildman and sophomore S Baron Gajkowski.
 
• Utah State has one player on its current roster that has already graduated from USU with a bachelor's degree in senior OL KJ Uluave (social work), while graduate transfer Jalen Greene earned his bachelor's degree from USC (communications).
 
COACH WELLS NOTABLES
• Utah State head coach Matt Wells' 37 wins are tied as the third-most in school history, while his 52.9 winning percentage (37-33) ranks seventh with a minimum of 15 games coached. Wells is also 24-17 (.585) in Mountain West play in this his sixth season.
 
• Wells, who is entering his sixth season in charge of the Aggie football program, is the longest tenured head coach since Chuck Shelton (1986-91) also spent six seasons at USU. In fact, Wells is tied with Shelton and Chuck Mills (1967-72) as the fourth-longest tenured head coaches in 120 seasons of Utah State football.
 
• Wells has been a player (1993) or coach (2012, 2013, 2014) in all four of Utah State's bowl wins. The NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl in 2017 was his seventh bowl game as an Aggie.
 
• Wells coached his fourth bowl game in 2017 to extend the school record for most bowl games by a head coach. E. Lowell 'Dick' Romney (1946, 1947), John Ralston (1960, 1961) and Gary Andersen (2011, 2012) all coached the Aggies in two bowl games, while Charlie Weatherbie (1993) and John L. Smith (1997) each coached one bowl game at USU.
 
• In his five years as head coach, Wells has led Utah State to three wins against top 25 opponents, one more than USU had in its previous 115 years.
 
• During the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Wells mentored a combined 12 players who earned all-Mountain West honors. Wells also coached Jalen Davis, who was named a Walter Camp First Team All-American, while Dominik Eberle was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, and earned third-team All-America honors.
 
• During the 2015 season, Wells mentored 12 players who earned all-Mountain West honors, which were the third-most in the conference. Wells also coached Kyler Fackrell, who was named a fourth-team All-American by Phil Steele.
 
• Wells coached three players who participated in the 2016 NFL Combine in Fackrell, Hunter Sharp and Nick Vigil, while 10 players from the 2015 roster were invited to NFL camps, including Vigil (Cincinnati Bengals) and Fackrell (Green Bay Packers), who were both selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
 
• Wells led Utah State to 10 wins in 2014 to rank as the second-most in school history behind the 2012 team that finished with an 11-2 record, including its third-straight bowl win with a 21-6 victory against UTEP in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
 
• During the 2014 season, Wells mentored 15 players who earned 16 all-Mountain West honors, which were the most in the league and tied for the third-most in school history. Wells also coached two All-Americans as Zach Vigil was named a second-team All-American by USA Today Sports, while Jalen Davis was named a True Freshman All-American by 247Sports. Vigil was also named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
 
• Wells was named the 2013 Mountain West Coach of the Year as he set the school record for wins by a first-year head coach as the Aggies went 9-5.
 
• Wells led Utah State to the inaugural Mountain West Championship game after winning the Mountain Division with a 7-1 record in 2013. He also led USU to just its third-ever bowl victory as it posted a 21-14 win against No. 24 Northern Illinois in the 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.
 
• During his first year as USU's head coach, Wells mentored 14 Aggies who earned various all-Mountain West honors, including three All-Americans as Tyler Larsen was named a second-team All-American by USA Today Sports, Nevin Lawson was named a third-team All-American by College Sports Madness, and Kyler Fackrell was named an honorable mention Sophomore All-American by College Football News.
 
• Wells coached a school-record four players who participated in the 2014 NFL Combine in Larsen, Lawson, Maurice Alexander and D.J. Tialavea, while 11 players from the 2013 roster were invited to NFL camps, including Alexander (Los Angeles Rams) and Lawson (Detroit Lions), who were both selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
               
• Overall, Wells is the second USU coach and fifth in school history to garner conference coach of the year honors along with Bruce Snyder (1978), Chuck Shelton (1991), John L. Smith (1997) and Gary Andersen (2012). Wells is also the fourth individual to earn MW Coach of the Year honors in his first season, along with BYU's Gary Crowton (2001), Utah's Urban Meyer (2003) and Air Force's Troy Calhoun (2007).
 
• Wells is one of just 22 FBS coaches to lead his alma mater and is just the second Utah State graduate to be appointed its head football coach, joining Chris Pella, who graduated from USU in 1965 and coached the Aggies from 1983-85.
 
• Prior to being named the head coach at his alma mater, Wells spent the previous two seasons as an assistant at Utah State, including serving as the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2012. That year, USU concluded its most successful season in program history with a school-best 11-2 record. USU also won its first outright conference championship since 1936.