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AGGIES CONTINUE MOUNTAIN WEST PLAY AT WYOMING SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Game will be televised regionally on AT&T SportsNet.
 
(RV) UTAH STATE (5-1, 2-0 MW) vs. WYOMING (2-5, 0-3 MW) 
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 • 12:30 p.m. (MT) • Laramie, Wyo. • War Memorial Stadium (29,181)
 
GAME 7 INFORMATION
TV: AT&T SportsNet
• Play-by-Play: Drew Goodman
• Analyst: Sed Bonner
• Reporter: Taylor McGregor
• Comcast (Utah): Ch. 52/693HD
• DISH: Ch. 414
• DirecTV: Ch. 683
 
RADIO: Aggie Sports Network
• Play-by-Play: Scott Garrard
• Analyst: Kevin White
• Online: 1280thezone.com / Tunein.com
 
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 (5-1, 2-0 MW) continues Mountain West play this weekend with a road game at Wyoming (2-5, 0-3 MW) on Saturday, Oct. 20, at  12:30 p.m. USU is 38-26-4 all-time against the Cowboys, including a 12-15-3 road record, and has won four of the last six games played in the series.
 
• Following its 59-28 Mountain West home win against UNLV last weekend, Utah State football is receiving votes in both polls for the second-straight week as it garnered 38 votes in The Associated Press poll and 33 votes in the Coaches poll to rank tied for 31st and 32nd in the nation, respectively. The last time USU received votes prior to this season was back in 2015.
 
• With a win against Wyoming, Utah State will be bowl eligible for the seventh time in the last eight years. USU played in five-straight bowl games from 2011-15 and won three-straight bowls from 2012-14, both of which are school records. All-time, USU has played in 12 bowl games.
 
• Utah State's 5-1 start to the season is its best since the 1978 team won its first five games and began the year 5-1. The last time USU started a season 6-1 was 1974. USU is also looking to begin Mountain West play with a 3-0 record for the second time, along with the 2015 team.
 
• Utah State is 25-17 (.595) all-time in the Mountain West, including a 10-10 (.500) road record, and has won 36 of its last 53 (.679) league games dating back to 2011. USU has also won three of its last four league road games dating back to last season.
 
• Utah State ranks among the top 40 teams in the nation in 25 different statistical categories, including second in scoring offense (51.7 points per game), second in non-offensive touchdowns (6), fifth in defensive touchdowns (3), 11th in turnovers forced (14), 13th in sacks (3.17 per game), 13th in tackles for loss (8.3 per game) and 15th in kickoff returns (26.1 yards per return). USU also ranks second in the nation with 12 scoring drives on the season of less than 60 seconds, but also has nine scoring drives of 10-plus plays and 16 scoring drives that have covered at least 70 yards.
 
• Utah State senior OL Quin Ficklin will celebrate his 25th birthday on Saturday, Oct. 20, when the Aggies play at Wyoming.
 
AGGIES CONTINUE MOUNTAIN WEST PLAY AT WYOMING
• Utah State continues Mountain West play this weekend with a road game at Wyoming on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 12:30 p.m. The game will be televised regionally on AT&T Sports Net (Comcast Ch. 52, DISH Ch. 414, DirecTV Ch. 683) with Drew Goodman (play-by-play), Sed Bonner (analyst) and Taylor McGregor (reporter) on the call. Live audio of the game is available on www.UtahStateAggies.com. USU is 545-541-31 (.501) in its previous 120 seasons.
 
• Utah State has won three of its last four Mountain West road games dating back to last season and is averaging 43.0 points and 485.2 yards of total offense (248.0 passing, 237.2 rushing) in those games. Defensively, USU is allowing just 21.5 points and 350.5 yards of total offense (288.8 rushing, 61.8 passing), and has forced 12 turnovers in its last four MW road games.
 
• Utah State has won 19 of its last 43 (.442) road games and is 12-26 (.316) in road games under sixth-year head coach Matt Wells. USU has also won 15 of its last 26 games played during the month of October and is 9-4-1 all-time in known games played on Oct. 20.
 
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 5-1 on the season and 2-0 in Mountain West play following its 59-28 conference home win against UNLV last weekend. Offensively, USU is led by sophomore QB Jordan Love, who is 125-of-186 (.672) passing for 1,557 yards (259.5 ypg) with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. Junior RB Darwin Thompson leads the team in rushing with 426 yards on 56 carries (7.6 ypc/71.0 ypg) with seven touchdowns, and senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver has a team-best 29 receptions for 298 yards (10.3 ypr/49.7 ypg) with four touchdowns. Defensively, sophomore LB David Woodward leads the team with 58 tackles, which includes 4.0 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss, while senior LB Chase Christiansen has 40 tackles, which includes 0.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss. As a team, Utah State is averaging 51.7 points and 478.7 yards of total offense (280.0 passing, 198.7 rushing), and allowing 23.8 points and 365.5 yards of total offense (208.8 passing, 156.7 rushing).
 
A LOOK AT UTAH STATE DURING ITS FIVE-GAME WINNING STREAK
• During its current five-game winning streak, Utah State is averaging 55.8 points and 505.6 yards per game (272.2 passing, 233.4 rushing), while converting 45.2 percent of its third downs (28-62). Defensively, USU is allowing just 21.0 points and 348.2 yards (193.2 passing, 155.0 rushing), while limiting its opponents to just 28-of-90 (.311) on third downs.
 
• Utah State's current five-game winning streak is tied for the longest under head coach Matt Wells, joining the 2013 and 2014 teams that also won five straight games. The longest USU winning streak prior to that was the 2012 team that ended the season on a seven-game winning streak.
 
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 six games, which is a school record. USU has also scored 40-plus points in each of its last five games, marking the first time in 121 seasons of Aggie football that that has ever happened.
 
• Under head coach Matt Wells, Utah State has scored 50-plus points 11 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, and this year's team has already tied that record.
 
UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 26 of its last 31 games when it has a 100-yard rusher, including a 4-0 record this year, and 29 of its last 32 contests when rushing at least 40 times in a game, including a 3-0 record this year. USU has also won 45 of its last 48 games when scoring at least 30 points, including a 5-1 record this season.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State's current streak of scoring at least 30 points in each of its first six games of the season is tied for the fourth-longest streak in college football. UCF has scored at least 30 points in 19 straight games, followed by Appalachian State (8), Alabama (7), Utah State (6), Houston (6) and Oregon (6).
 
UTAH STATE'S 59 POINTS AGAINST UNLV ARE 13TH-MOST IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State scored 59 points, including 42 in the first half, in its 59-28 Mountain West home win against UNLV last weekend. Those 59 points are its third-most in a game this season and the 13th-most in school history as it defeated Tennessee Tech 73-12 and New Mexico State 60-13. Furthermore, its 42 first-half points are its second-most this season behind its 45 against TTU.
 
• Utah State trailed in its game against UNLV 7-0 before scoring its first points with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. Over the next 8:50, Utah State scored five touchdowns to take a 35-7 lead with 9:27 to play in the second quarter.
 
• Against UNLV, Utah State had 598 yards of total offense, which is its second-most this season, and the 13th-most in school history. USU also passed for a season-high 337 yards against the Rebels, which is tied for the 22nd-most in a single game in school history.  
 
UTAH STATE SECOND IN THE NATION WITH SIX NON-OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS
• Utah State has scored six non-offensive touchdowns this season to rank second in the nation behind Temple (8) and tied with Alabama (6) as the Aggies have three special teams touchdowns and three defensive touchdowns. USU's first non-offensive touchdown this year came at No. 11 Michigan State as senior S Gaje Ferguson returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown. USU then had two non-offensive touchdowns against New Mexico State as senior CB Deante Fortenberry returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown and sophomore WR Savon Scarver returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore WR Jordan Nathan then returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee Tech and junior LB Tipa Galeai returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown at BYU. USU added it sixth non-offensive touchdown last weekend as sophomore S Baron Gajkowski returned a blocked punt 16 yards for a touchdown.  
 
AGGIES BLOCK SECOND KICK OF THE SEASON IN UNLV GAME
• Utah State blocked its second kick of the 2018 season against UNLV last weekend as freshman WR Deven Thompkins blocked a punt that was picked up by sophomore S Baron Gajkowski and returned 16 yards for a touchdown. For USU, it was its first blocked punt since the 2017 season when senior WR DJ Nelson blocked a Colorado State punt and returned it 20 yards for the score. USU's first blocked kick this season was against Air Force as junior LB Tipa Galeai blocked a 40-yard field goal.
 
• Overall, USU has now blocked 16 kicks under head coach Matt Wells, including four blocked punts last season to rank fourth in the nation. The single-season school record for blocked kicks is six set in 2012 (3 FGs, 2 punts, 1 PAT).
 
• Utah State is currently tied for first in the Mountain West and tied for 12th in the nation with its two blocked kicks this season, including being tied for first in the conference and tied for 10th in the nation with its one blocked punt.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS WITH UTAH STATE'S OFFENSE
• Utah State has already scored 40 touchdowns this season and only allowed 16. The school record for touchdowns scored in a season is 60 set in 2011 and the 40 touchdowns scored this year is already tied for the 14th-most in school history. In fact, since 1957 (a span of 61 years), there have been 47 Aggie teams that did not score 40 touchdowns the entire season. Furthermore, USU has already scored 310 points this year and the school record is 454 points scored in 2012, while the school record for points scored per game is 38.7 set in 1961. USU is currently second in the nation with an average of 51.7 points per game.
 
• Utah State has 20 rushing touchdowns in its first six games this season as compared to 24 rushing touchdowns last season. The school record for rushing touchdowns is 39 in 1961. Along with its 20 rushing touchdowns this year, USU has four touchdown runs of at least 50 yards.
 
• Utah State has had 18 different players score a touchdown this season, including nine players with multiple touchdowns. 
 
• Utah State has led at the end of the first quarter in all six of its games this season and has a 75-23 scoring advantage on the season in the first quarter. USU also has a 176-64 scoring advantage in the first half in games this season and has out-scored its opponents in every quarter thus far this year. On average, USU has held a 29.3 to 10.7 scoring advantage at halftime.
 
• Utah State has had a 100-yard rusher in four of its last five games, in eight of its last 10 games, and in nine of its last 12 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. USU ended the 2017 season by having a 100-yard rusher in each of its final four games.
 
UTAH STATE HAS WON FIVE-STRAIGHT GAMES BY DOUBLE-DIGITS
• During its current five-game winning streak, Utah State has posted five-straight double-digit wins, which is the most since the 1965 team won its first seven games by double digits.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State is one of just 30 teams in the nation with one or fewer losses.
 
• Utah State has out-gained its opponent in all six games it has played this season, but has only led in time of possession twice (vs. New Mexico State and at BYU).
 
• Utah State ranks 11th in the Mountain West and 124th in the nation - out of 129 teams at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level - in time of possession at just 26:02 per game.
 
UTAH STATE SECOND IN THE NATION IN SCORING OFFENSE
• Utah State ranks first in the Mountain West and second in the nation in scoring with an average of 51.7 points per game, trailing only Alabama (53.6 ppg). USU also ranks second in the MW and 11th in the nation in completion percentage (.686), second in the MW and 23rd in the nation in total offense (478.7 ypg), third in the MW and 14th in the nation in sacks allowed (1.0 ppg), third in the MW and 40th in the nation in rushing offense (198.7 ypg), fourth in the MW and 24th in the nation in passing efficiency (156.2), and fourth in the MW and 25th in the nation in passing offense (280.0 ypg). USU also ranks third in the MW and 20th in the nation with a third down conversion percentage of 46.7 (35-75).
 
AGGIE DEFENSE RANKS 13TH NATIONALLY IN SACKS AND TACKLES FOR LOSS
• Utah State ranks first in the Mountain West and 13th in the nation with an average of 3.17 sacks per game, and second in the MW and 13th in the nation with an average of 8.3 tackles for loss per game. USU also ranks second in the MW and 31st in the nation in passing efficiency defense (115.5), third in the MW and 47th in the nation in passing defense (208.8 ypg), fifth in the MW and tied for 48th in the nation in scoring defense (23.8 ppg), fifth in the MW and tied for 53rd in the nation in total defense (365.5 ypg), and seventh in the MW and 63rd in the nation in rushing defense (156.7 ypg). USU's defense is also averaging 5.67 three-and-outs per game to rank seventh in the nation, and it ranks sixth in the MW and 48th in the nation in third down conversion percentage allowed at 36.4 (39-107). 
 
AGGIES RANK 11TH IN THE NATION WITH 14 FORCED TURNOVERS
• Utah State has forced 14 turnovers (7 fumbles, 7 interceptions) this year to rank second in the Mountain West behind Fresno State (17) and tied for 11th in the nation. USU also ranks fourth in the MW and tied for 10th in the nation with its seven fumble recoveries, fourth in the MW and 27th in the nation with its seven interceptions, and second in the MW and 17th in the nation in turnover margin (+0.83).
 
• With its 14 turnovers this season, USU has now forced 155 turnovers in its last 81 games, including at least one turnover in 64 of its last 81 games. USU has also recorded 73 interceptions in its last 68 games, including at least one pick in 38 of its last 68 games and multiple interceptions in 21 of its last 68 games. Overall, USU has forced three or more turnovers twice this year and in 19 of its last 56 games.
 
UTAH STATE FIFTH IN THE NATION WITH ITS THREE DEFENSIVE SCORES
• Utah State is second in the Mountain West and tied for fifth in the nation with its three defensive touchdowns this year as senior S Gaje Ferguson returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown at No. 11 Michigan State, senior CB Deante Fortenberry returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown against New Mexico State and junior LB Tipa Galeai returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown at BYU. Overall, USU has scored 19 defensive touchdowns in its last 65 games, including five last season to rank fourth in the nation.
 
UTAH STATE 15TH IN THE NATION IN KICKOFF RETURNS
• Utah State ranks first in the Mountain West and 15th in the nation in kickoff returns (26.1 ypr), second in the MW and 29th in the nation in net punting (40.32 ypp), third in the conference and 38th in the nation in punt returns (12.2 ypr), and eighth in the MW and 73rd in the nation in kickoff return defense (21.2 ypr).
 
AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS
• Junior PK Dominik Eberle leads the Mountain West and ranks sixth in the nation in scoring (11.2 ppg), is tied for first in the MW and tied for 12th in the nation in field goals made (1.7 pg), and tied for second in the MW and tied for 19th in the nation in field goal percentage (.833) as he is 10-of-12 on the season. Sophomore LB David Woodward ranks first in the MW and 11th in the nation in tackles (11.6 pg), fourth in the MW and tied for 36th in the nation in sacks (0.8 pg), sixth in the MW in tackles for loss (1.1 pg), and tied for seventh in the MW in forced fumbles with one (0.20 pg). Redshirt junior LB Tipa Galeai ranks tied for first in the MW and tied for 20th in the nation in sacks (0.9 pg), tied for third in the MW and tied for 19th in the nation in forced fumbles with two (0.33 pg), fourth in the MW and tied for 40th in the nation in tackles for loss (1.3 pg), and tied for 39th in the MW in tackles (5.3 pg). Sophomore WR Savon Scarver is tied first in the MW and tied for third in the nation in both kickoff returns for touchdown with one (0.17 pg) and kickoff returns (33.0 ypr). Sophomore WR Jordan Nathan is tied for first in the MW and tied for third in the nation with one punt return for touchdown (0.17 pg), and third in the MW and 19th in the nation in punt returns (11.3 ypr). Senior DE Adewale Adeoye is tied for second in the MW and tied for eighth in the nation with two fumbles recovered (0.33 pg). Senior S Gaje Ferguson is tied for third in the MW and tied for 37th in the nation with two interceptions (0.33 pg), tied for eighth in the MW and tied for 57th in the nation with one fumble recovery (0.17 pg), and tied for 33rd in the MW in tackles (5.7 pg). Senior S Aaron Wade is tied for third in the MW and tied for 37th in the nation with two interceptions (0.33 pg). Junior RB Darwin Thompson is tied for first in the MW and tied for 17th in the nation with seven rushing touchdowns (1.2 pg), second in the MW and 64th in the nation in rushing (71.0 ypg), tied for fifth in the MW and tied for 85th in the nation in scoring (7.0 ppg), and seventh in the MW in all-purpose yards (87.8 pg). Sophomore QB Jordan Love ranks third in the MW and 20th in the nation in passing touchdowns with 14 (2.3 pg), third in the MW and 23rd in the nation in completion percentage (.672), fourth in the MW and 22nd in the nation in passing efficiency (159.1), sixth in the MW and 29th in the nation in passing (259.5 ypg), and sixth in the MW and 39th in the nation in total offense (265.5 ypg). Sophomore CB Ja'Marcus Ingram ranks fourth in the MW and 32nd in the nation in passes defended (1.2 pg). Senior LB Ofa Latu is tied for eighth in the MW and tied for 57th in the nation with one fumble recovered (0.17 pg). Junior DE Devon Anderson is tied for eighth in the MW and tied for 57th in the nation with one fumble recovered (0.17 pg). Junior RB Gerold Bright ranks fourth in the MW and 69th in the nation in rushing (70.2 ypg), eighth in the MW in all-purpose yards (87.7 pg), and tied for ninth in the MW with four rushing touchdowns (0.7 pg). Senior LB Chase Christiansen is tied for eighth in the MW and tied for 57th in the nation with one fumble recovered (0.17 pg), and tied for 21st in the MW in tackles (6.7 pg). Senior S Jontrell Rocquemore is tied for eighth in the MW and tied for 57th in the nation with one fumble recovered (0.17 pg), and tied for 25th in the MW in tackles (6.2 pg). Senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver ranks fifth in the MW and 60th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with four (0.8 pg), and ninth in the MW and 79th in the nation in receptions (4.8 pg). And, sophomore S Shaq Bond is tied for 45th in the MW in tackles (4.8 pg).  
 
SCOUTING WYOMING
• Wyoming is 2-5 on the season and 0-3 in Mountain West play following its 27-3 loss at Fresno State last weekend. The Cowboys are led by redshirt freshman QB Tyler Vander Waal, who is 95-of-184 (.516) passing for 1,006 yards (143.7 ypg) with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Senior RB Nico Evans leads the team in rushing with 670 yards on 96 carries (7.0 ypc/134.0 ypg) with four touchdowns, and junior WR Austin Conway has caught 26 passes for 180 yards (6.9 ypr/25.7 ypg). Defensively, junior LB Logan Wilson has a team-best 56 tackles, which includes 5.5 tackles for loss, while senior FS Andrew Wingard has 55 tackles and one interception. As a team, Wyoming is averaging 15.4 points and 282.3 yards of total offense per game (143.7 passing, 138.6 rushing) and allowing 25.7 points and 375.0 yards of total offense (244.9 passing, 130.1 rushing). Wyoming returns 17 starters (O-9, D-8) and 49 lettermen (O-24, D-22, S-3) from last year's team that went 8-5 overall and tied for second in the Mountain Division with a 5-3 record. UW then concluded its season with a 37-14 win against Central Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Craig Bohl is 128-66 in his 16th season as a collegiate head coach, including a 24-34 record in his fifth season at Wyoming.
 
AGGIES AND COWBOYS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State is 38-26-4 all-time against Wyoming, including a 12-15-3 road record, as USU won 20 of the first 23 meetings. USU has also won four of the last six meetings. UW won last year's game in Logan, 28-23, on Oct. 14, 2017, and posted a 52-28 win against USU on Nov. 5, 2016, in the last meeting between the two teams in Laramie. The first game ever played in the series was in 1903 with USU winning in Logan, 46-0, and the two teams played one another 58 times through the 1978 season. The series resumed in 2001 and the two teams have played one another 10 times since then. USU's 38 wins against Wyoming are its most against any opponent in school history.
 
UTAH STATE VS. WYOMING SERIES FOURTH-MOST PLAYED IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State and Wyoming will be meeting for the 69th time in series history this weekend in what is the fourth-most played rivalry in school history. USU's most played rivalry is Utah (112), followed by Brigham Young (88), Colorado State (74) and Wyoming (68).
 
AGGIES AND COWBOYS HAVE STORIED HISTORY
• Utah State and Wyoming have a storied history dating back to the early 1900s as both schools were members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1916-37 and later members of the Mountain States/Skyline Conference from 1938-61, along with its current membership in the Mountain West, for a total of 53 years as league foes. As members of the RMAC, USU won league championships in 1921 and 1936, and later won league titles in the Mountain States/Skyline Conference in 1946, 1960 and 1961. UW won conference championships in the Mountain States/Skyline Conference in 1949, 1950, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961.
 
WELLS VERSUS WYOMING
• Matt Wells is 3-2 all-time against Wyoming as a head coach and will be facing the Cowboys for the 10th time overall as he faced UW once as an assistant coach at USU in 2011, and three times as an assistant at New Mexico (2007-08, 2010).
 
WELLS ONE 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.
 
UTAH STATE AND WYOMING SERIES REFERRED TO AS "BRIDGER'S BATTLE"
• Utah State University and the University of Wyoming announced on Nov. 25, 2013, that both schools have adopted a rivalry series in football that will be referred to as "Bridger's Battle" in reference to celebrated Wyoming/Utah mountain man Jim Bridger. USU won the first "Bridger's Battle" in 2013 in Logan, 35-7, posted a 20-3 road win in 2014, and a 58-27 home win in 2015. Wyoming has won the last two games in the series with a 28-23 road win last season and a 52-28 home in 2016. The winner of the annual contest will take home the traveling "Bridger Rifle," a .50 caliber Rocky Mountain Hawken rifle that was popular among mountain men and widely considered to be what Bridger carried.
 
COACHING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND WYOMING
• Utah State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach David Yost and Wyoming assistant athletics director for football operations Brent Vernon spent five years together on staff at Missouri. USU running backs coach DeAndre Smith and Wyoming co-special teams coordinator and tight ends and fullbacks coach Mike Bath coached together at Miami (Ohio) for three seasons (2005-07).
 
UTAH STATE CONNECTIONS WITH WYOMING
• Utah State outside receivers coach Jovon Bouknight is a 2006 alum of Wyoming, playing for the Cowboys from 2002-05. Bouknight concluded his college career ranked No. 20 in NCAA history in both career receiving yards (3,626) and career receptions (250). During his senior season, Bouknight was one of only 15 semifinalists for the 2005 Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation's top college receiver each season. He also earned honorable mention All-American honors from College Football News in 2005 and earned first-team all-Mountain West honors. During his senior season, he ranked No. 9 in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (101.45 ypg), No. 15 in total receiving yards (1,116), No. 10 in all-purpose yards (160.45), No. 12 in receptions per game (7.00 rpg) and No. 11 in kickoff returns (27.75 ypr). He currently ranks No. 2 in Mountain West history in receiving yards (3,626) and third in receptions (250), while ranking tied for second all-time in consecutive games with a reception (47). In Wyoming school history, Bouknight ranks No. 3 in career receiving yards (3,626) behind former All-Americans Marcus Harris (4,518) and Ryan Yarborough (4,446). Bouknight also ranks No. 2 in school history in career receptions (250) and third in career touchdown receptions (29). Bouknight also completed his career as Wyoming's all-time all-purpose yardage leader (5,921) and career kickoff return leader (2,016). He caught at least one pass in 47 consecutive games, which was also every game of his college career and ranks No. 2 all-time in school history. Bouknight actually caught at least two passes in each of those 47 career games.
 
ALL-TIME AGGIE GREATS FROM THE STATE OF WYOMING
• Utah State has had several notable football players from the state of Wyoming, including defensive end Ben Crosland (Kemmerer), who was named the 1997 Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year and an honorable mention All-American by The Sporting News. Defensive end John Chick (Gillette) earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2005. Offensive guard Joe Crum (Rawlins) earned first-team all-Big West Conference honors in 1981 and second-team honors in 1982. And, defensive back Paul Gustafson (Casper) earned second-team all-Big West honors in 1994. In men's basketball, Jaycee Carroll (Evanston) was a two-time Associated Press All-American (2007, 2008) and the 2008 WAC Player of the Year, and is USU's all-time leading scorer with 2,522 career points, while ranking first all-time in school history in nine other categories. And in women's soccer, Jayme Gordy (Cheyenne) earned first-team all-Big West honors in 1999 and 2000, while earning second-team honors in 1998 and honorable mention honors in 1997, and ranks second all-time in school history in goals in a season (13) and career (35). Gordy was inducted into Utah State's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
 
STATS FOR CURRENT AGGIES WITH MULTIPLE GAMES VS. WYOMING
• The following is a look at what current Utah State players have done against Wyoming in multiple games played. Senior P Aaron Dalton has punted seven times for 256 yards (36.6 ypp), including two inside the 20-yard line and a long of 54 yards, in three games. Senior RB Justen Hervey has three carries for 14 yards (4.7 ypc) in three games. Senior WR DJ Nelson has one carry for a 4-yard touchdown in three games. Senior NG Gasetoto Schuster has four tackles in three games. Senior DE Adewale Adeoye has two tackles in two games. Senior LB Chase Christiansen has 11 tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, in two games. Senior S Gaje Ferguson has 17 tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup in two games. Senior S Jontrell Rocquemore has three tackles and one pass breakup in two games. Senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver has nine catches for 107 yards (11.9 ypc) in two games. Senior S Aaron Wade has two tackles in two games. Junior PK Dominik Eberle is 3-for-4 on field goals, including a long of 49 yards, and 2-for-2 on extra points in two games. He has also kicked off six times for 358 yards (59.7 ypk) and three touchbacks. Junior CB Cameron Haney has two tackles in two games. Junior LB Justus Te'i has three tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, in two games. Junior NG Mohelika Uasike has three tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, in two games. Junior NG Christopher 'Unga has five tackles and a pass breakup in two games.
 
UTAH STATE VERSUS THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 152-179-8 (.460) all-time against current members of the Mountain West with a 38-26-4 record vs. Wyoming, a 33-39-2 record vs. Colorado State, a 17-7 record vs. UNLV, a 17-20-1 record vs. San José State, a 12-17-1 record vs. Fresno State, an 11-13 record vs. New Mexico, a 9-6 record vs. Hawai`i, a 6-18 record vs. Nevada, a 5-17 record vs. Boise State, a 3-4 record vs. Air Force, and a 1-12 record vs. San Diego State.
 
UTAH STATE BEGINS SIXTH SEASON IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State begins its sixth year as a member of the Mountain West in 2018 and has been a Division I-A/Bowl Championship Series football playing school in each of its 119 seasons of competition. USU joined the Mountain States/Skyline Conference in 1938 until 1961. USU then played as a football independent from 1962-77 when the Aggies became members of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association in 1978. The PCAA changed its name to the Big West Conference in 1988. Following the 2000 season, when the Big West no longer sponsored football, USU spent two years as an independent (2001-02) and two years in the Sun Belt Conference (2003-04), before joining the Western Athletic Conference for eight seasons from 2005-12.
 
WYOMING ONE OF FIVE BOWL TEAMS ON UTAH STATE'S 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.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 36 players in its program from the state of Utah, while Wyoming has 21 players on its roster from the Cowboy State.
 
• Utah State will be playing its first game outside the state of Utah since its season-opener at Michigan State on August 31, a span of 50 days, as it has had four home games and a road game at BYU since its season opener.
 
SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND WYOMING
The following are series notables between Utah State and Wyoming.
 
• In 68 games in series history, Utah State has scored 271 more points than Wyoming, 1,429-1,158.
 
• Utah State has won four of the past six games played in the series, out-scoring Wyoming 227-136 (37.8-22.7).
 
• Utah State averaged 239.8 rushing yards per game in its last four wins against Wyoming. In the Cowboys' four consecutive losses to USU from 2011-15, UW averaged just 139.5 rushing yards per game.
 
• The team that has had more rushing yards has won eight of the last nine games in the series, with last year's game being the exception as USU out-gained UW on the ground, 131-85.
 
• The team that commits fewer turnovers has won four of the last six games in the series.
 
• Utah State holds the longest shutout streak in the series at five games, as it did not allow the Cowboys to score a single point in meetings from 1931 to 1936.
 
• The losing team has scored less than 20 points in five of the last eight games played in the series, while the winning team has scored at least 50 points in two of the last three games and at least 20 points in each of the past 14 games.
 
• Utah State has scored at least 50 points in the series four times, including twice in the last six meetings, while Wyoming's 52 points two years ago were its most in series history. In fact, it was just the fifth time in series history that Wyoming had scored 40 points in the series.
 
• Utah State has had four 100-yard rushers and two 100-yard receivers in the last 10 meetings, while Wyoming has had four 100-yard rushers, one 100-yard receiver and one 300-yard passer in the past 10 meetings.
 
• The winning team has scored first in seven of the past 10 meetings, with the only exceptions being in 2001, 2011 and 2017.
 
• The team that has led at the half had won eight-straight games played in the series prior to last season when USU led 16-9 at the half.
 
• There have been 16 shutouts in series history, 12 by Utah State's defense and four by Wyoming's defense.
 
• Wyoming has controlled the time of possession in eight of the last 10 meetings.
 
FROM THE RECORD BOOKS
Here is a look at some of the top Utah State individual and team statistical performances against Wyoming over the years.
 
• Chuckie Keeton tied the school record as a freshman in 2011, with five touchdown passes in a game in USU's 63-19 home win against Wyoming.
 
• Emmett White's 274 rushing yards against Wyoming in 2001 ranks as the third-most in school history.
 
• Jay Van Noy scored on an 82-yard run against Wyoming in 1948, which is tied for the 10th-longest in school history.
 
• JoJo Natson had an 80-yard punt return against Wyoming in 2014, which ranks as the 10th-longest in school history.
 
• Tony Adams passed for 389 yards against Wyoming in 1971, the 14th-most in school history.
 
• Utah State had 592 yards of offense against Wyoming in 2015 and 571 yards in 2001, the 17th- and 24th-most in school history.
 
• Utah State had 389 passing yards against Wyoming in 1971, the 17th-most in school history.
 
• Utah State held Wyoming to 29 passing yards in 1978 and 42 passing yards in 1962, the 12th- and 20th-fewest in school history.
 
• Utah State's school record for offensive yards per play is 10.7 set against Wyoming in 1948 with 471 yards on 44 plays.
 
• The Aggies' single-game high of 14 punts was done three times, once against Wyoming in 1970.
 
• Utah State's school record for fewest pass attempts allowed of three was done twice, once against Wyoming in 1955.
 
• Utah State's school record for first downs in a game with 34 has been done three times, including against Wyoming in 2015.
 
• Three of the top 26 winning margins in school history have been against Wyoming, as Utah State posted a 57-0 win in 1917 (ninth-largest), a 53-0 win in 1912 (13th-largest), and a 46-0 win in 1903 (26th-largest).
 
• Wyoming posted a 48-3 win against Utah State in 1968, the 28th-largest margin of defeat in school history.
 
• Utah State has had nine 100-yard rushers, five 100-yard receivers and two 300-yard passers in series history.
 
LAST MEETING vs. WYOMING
LOGAN, Utah - Utah State junior QB DJ Nelson scored his second special teams touchdown in as many weeks, giving the Aggies a 23-16 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Wyoming scored the final 12 points to stun the hosts on Homecoming, 28-23, in front of 22,234 fans on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium.
               
Wyoming (4-2, 2-0 Mountain West) pulled within 23-19 with 8:51 left on a 29-yard field goal by Cooper Rothe, then took the lead for good five minutes later on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to C.J. Johnson.
               
Down 26-23 with 3:38 to go, Utah State (3-4, 1-2 MW) took over on its own 34-yard line following a 34-yard kickoff return by freshman WR Savon Scarver. In two plays, the Aggies had crossed midfield courtesy of 10- and 7-yard runs, respectively, by senior RB LaJuan Hunt. However, Hunt fumbled the third play of the series and Wyoming's Cassh Maluia recovered it. The fumble was one of five turnovers the Aggies had on the day.
               
Utah State's defense forced Wyoming to go three-and-out, but Cowboys punter Tim Zaleski pinned the Aggies on their own 7-yard line with 49 seconds left. Two plays later, Utah State senior QB Kent Myers was tackled in the end zone for a safety, giving Wyoming its final margin of victory.
               
Myers and redshirt freshman QB Jordan Love split time under center, going a combined 19-of-38 for 203 yards and three interceptions.
               
Redshirt sophomore TE Dax Raymond led the Aggies with five catches for a career-best 72 yards, while senior WR Braelon Roberts tied his career high with four catches for a career-best 50 yards and a touchdown.
               
Hunt led all rushers in the game with 73 yards on 18 carries. He also caught a career-high-tying four passes for 19 yards.
               
For the third consecutive week, junior LB Suli Tamaivena recorded double-digit tackles with a career-high-tying 14 stops. In the last three games alone, he has racked up 41 tackles.
               
Nelson's touchdown came on a fake field goal. As the team's holder, he kept the snap from senior LS Emmett Odegard and ran four yards for the score, giving the hosts a 23-16 lead with 12:40 to go.
               
A week ago against Colorado State, Nelson returned his own blocked punt 43 yards for his first career touchdown.
               
Following a 1-yard touchdown run by Allen on fourth-and-goal that gave Wyoming a 9-6 lead, Utah State went back in front on the very next possession as junior WR Aaren Vaughns threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Roberts on a reverse. The score gave Utah State a 13-9 lead with 6:41 remaining in the first half.
               
Vaughns had a second quarter to remember as he also had a 29-yard reception and 14-yard run. He finished the game with two catches for 46 yards.
               
Junior PK Dominik Eberle was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals in the first half. He made good from 45 and 31 yards, respectively, in the first quarter, and added a 49-yarder just before the half to give the Aggies a 16-9 lead at the break.
               
Eberle's first field goal of the day was set up courtesy of an interception by senior BS Dallin Leavitt.
 
LAST ROAD MEETING vs. WYOMING
LARAMIE, Wyo. - Backup junior QB Damion Hobbs scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns and sophomore WR Ron'quavion Tarver caught eight passes for 104 yards, both game highs, but it still wasn't enough to help Utah State overcome a 28-point deficit at halftime.
               
Wyoming QB Josh Allen completed 16-of-26 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns, to go along with 66 yards rushing and another score, to help the Cowboys beat the Aggies 52-28 on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, on Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyo.
               
Junior RB Tonny Lindsey, Jr. led the Aggies with 75 yards rushing on just five carries. Utah State (3-6, 1-5 Mountain West) finished with 414 yards of total offense, including 241 in the third quarter alone.
               
Brian Hill accounted for Wyoming's other two touchdowns as the senior running back ran for a game-high 142 yards on 25 carries, scoring on runs of 56 and 15 yards, respectively. The Cowboys (7-2, 5-0), who are all alone in first place in the Mountain Division of the MW, tallied 528 yards of offense.
               
Trailing 35-7 at intermission, Utah State showed some fight in the second half and actually pulled to within a touchdown after scoring 21 unanswered points in a span of 2:41 during the third quarter. Hobbs accounted for two of those scores on touchdown runs of 2 and 10 yards, respectively, less than a minute apart.
               
Freshman WR Rayshad Lewis began the comeback bid when he caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from junior QB Kent Myers with 8:01 remaining in the third. Myers finished 17-of-29 for 235 yards and the one score before leaving the game with an injury.
               
Lewis finished with seven catches for 56 yards, while senior TE Wyatt Houston tied his career high with five catches for 37 yards. He has now caught at least one pass in 15 consecutive games.
               
After the Aggies pulled to within 35-28 with 5:20 left in the third, the Cowboys seized control for good by scoring the game's final 17 points.
               
Senior LB Anthony Williams led all defenders in the game with a career-high 13 tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss. Redshirt sophomore BS Gaje Ferguson added a career-best 10 stops, including 1.0 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup in his first career start. And senior CB Daniel Gray intercepted a pass in the third quarter to help set up one of the Aggies' scores.
               
Wyoming scored touchdowns on four of its five first-half drives as Allen threw touchdown passes of 25 and 15 yards, respectively, and ran for a 1-yard score. Hill had the other touchdown on his 56-yard run.
               
After the Cowboys opened a 21-0 lead, Utah State cracked the scoreboard on a 1-yard touchdown run by Hobbs with 10:42 left in the second quarter. Lewis helped keep the drive alive when he caught an 18-yard pass from Myers on third-and-5 from the Aggies' 43.
               
Wyoming took a 35-7 lead into the break following a 46-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Tanner Gentry with 54 seconds left in the second quarter. Gentry was blanketed by USU junior CB Wesley Bailey, but made a diving catch in the left corner of the end zone for the score.
 
GAME 6 RECAP vs. UNLV
LOGAN, Utah - Sophomore QB Jordan Love tied a school record by tossing a career-high five touchdown passes to lead Utah State to a 59-28 Homecoming rout of UNLV on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018.
               
With the win, the Aggies improved to 5-1 overall (2-0 Mountain West), matching their best start since the 1978 campaign, when that team also opened the season at 5-1.
 
The Aggies have now scored 40-plus points in each of their last five games and 30-plus points in their first six games this season, both of which are school records. Prior to this current run, USU had never scored 40-plus points in more than three straight games.
               
Playing into the third quarter, Love completed 17-of-23 passes for 322 yards. He teamed up with four different receivers for the five scores: sophomore Jordan Nathan, senior Jalen Greene, sophomore Savon Scarver and senior Ron'quavion Tarver, who hauled in two touchdown passes on the day.
               
Sophomore LB David Woodward led Utah State's defensive effort with a game-best 12 tackles, including 3.0 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss – both career highs. Six different Aggies recorded six stops apiece, while sophomore CB Ja'Marcus Ingram and senior CB Deante Fortenberry each had two pass breakups.
               
The Aggies, who finished with 598 yards of total offense, blew the game open by scoring 35 unanswered points in span of eight minutes and five seconds between the first and second quarters. The Rebels (2-4, 0-2 MW) opened the game's scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run by Lexington Thomas with 5:38 left in the first quarter.
               
It was all Utah State after that, beginning with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Love to Nathan that tied it at 7-all with 3:17 remaining in the first. On the Aggies' very next series, Love found a wide open Greene down the west sideline for an 80-yard score that put Utah State in front to stay at 14-7.
               
USU continued to pour it on in the second quarter as Scarver caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Love to make it 21-7. The score came after senior S Jontrell Rocquemore intercepted a pass thrown by UNLV quarterback Max Gilliam.
               
The Aggies increased their lead to 28-7 with 11:35 remaining in the second quarter when freshman WR Deven Thompkins blocked a UNLV punt, which was scooped up by sophomore S Baron Gajkowski and returned 16 yards for a touchdown. It was the sixth non-offensive touchdown scored by Utah State this season.
               
Junior RB Darwin Thompson, who rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries, scored on a 7-yard touchdown run to make it 35-7 for the hosts. With just 18 seconds remaining in the half, Tarver hauled in the first of his two touchdown receptions, a 7-yarder from Love.
               
That duo hooked up again in the third quarter, this time from 29 yards out, to make it 49-14. Tarver finished with four catches for 52 yards, while Greene had a career-high-tying five receptions for a career-best 132 yards.
               
Redshirt freshman QB Henry Colombi replaced Love late in the third quarter and led the Aggies to a pair of scoring drives in the fourth. Junior PK Dominik Eberle kicked a 24-yard field goal with 3:15 left in the game and Colombi put the exclamation point on the win with a 37-yard touchdown run less than two minutes later. Colombi was 5-of-8 passing for 55 yards, to go along with 41 yards rushing on just two carries. Junior RB Gerold Bright led Utah State's ground game with 72 yards on 11 carries. The Aggies rushed for 221 yards on the afternoon.
 
LOVE NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AGAIN
• Sophomore QB Jordan Love was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in as many games this season following his performance in Utah State's 59-28 Mountain West home win against UNLV last weekend. Against the Rebels, Love was 17-of-23 passing for 322 yards, which are the second-most in his career, and a school-record-tying and career-best five touchdowns. Love also carried the ball four times for 39 yards, including a career-long rush of 21 yards on the first play of the game. Love, who played less than three quarters, was 15-of-20 passing for 287 yards and four touchdowns at intermission as USU led 42-7 at the half.
 
• Love has now thrown for 300 yards in a game three times this season and four times in his career. He has thrown at least four touchdown passes in his last two games and at least two touchdown passes in each of his last four games. Overall, it is the sixth time in his career he has thrown multiple touchdown passes.
 
• For Love, he becomes the fifth quarterback in school history to throw five touchdowns passes in a game for the ninth time joining Chuckie Keeton (2011-15), who did it three times; Anthony Calvillo (1992-93), who did it twice; Tony Adams (1970-72), who did it twice; and Brent Snyder (1987-88), who did it once.
 
• Love has now earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week accolades three times this season and four times in his career, and it is the 21st time USU has received the award in six years in the league. The last Aggie to earn conference player of the week honors in consecutive weeks was linebacker Kyler Fackrell in the Western Athletic Conference in 2012, while Love's three player of the week honors this season are the most by an Aggie since Chuckie Keeton was named the WAC Offensive Player of the Week four times in 2012. The last Mountain West player to earn the weekly honor in consecutive weeks was San Diego State's Rashaad Penny, who won the award four weeks in a row and five times overall in 2017.
 
• Love's first Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week award came following his performance in Utah State's 42-32 conference home win against Air Force (9/22). Against the Falcons, Love was 26-of-38 (.684) passing for a career-high 356 yards and a then career-high-tying two touchdowns. Love was also named the College Sports Madness Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Falcons.
 
• Love's second Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week award came following his performance in Utah State's 45-20 road win at BYU (10/5). Against the Cougars, he was 18-of-28 (.643) passing for 165 yards and a then career-high four touchdowns, which were the most by an Aggie in 34 games. He also carried the ball three times for eight yards and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run as he led USU to back-to-back win against BYU for the first time in 44 years.
 
• In his last four games, Love is 82-of-115 (.713) passing for 1,079 yards (269.8 ypg) with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions. Love has also not thrown an interception in his last 132 pass attempts.
 
LOVE NAMED TO DAVEY O'BRIEN "GREAT 8" LIST AGAIN
• For the second straight week, sophomore QB Jordan Love was named to the Davey O'Brien "Great 8" list for his performance in Utah State's 59-28 Mountain West home win against UNLV last weekend. Other quarterbacks named to the list were Joe Burrow (LSU), Jarrett Guarantano (Tennessee), Tyler Huntley (Utah), James Morgan (FIU), Andre Nunez (Louisiana), Brock Purdy (Iowa State) and Nate Stanley (Iowa).
 
LOVE NAMED ONE OF EIGHT MANNING AWARD STARS OF THE WEEK
• Sophomore QB Jordan Love was one of eight quarterbacks named to the Manning Award Stars of the Week following his performance against UNLV last weekend. The seven other quarterbacks named to the list include Jarrett Guarantano (Tennessee), Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State), James Morgan (FIU), Andre Nunez (Louisiana), Brock Purdy (Iowa State), Nate Stanley (Iowa) and Jordan Ta'amu (Ole Miss).
 
LOVE NAMED NATIONAL PERFORMER BY COLLEGE FOOTBALL PERFORMANCE AWARDS
• Along with being named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week, to the Davey O'Brien "Great 8" List for the second-straight week, and to the Manning Award Stars of the Week, sophomore QB Jordan Love was also named a College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention National Performer along with Alex Barnes (RB) - Kansas State, Andre Nunez (QB) - Louisiana, Dwayne Haskins (QB) - Ohio State and Jarrett Guarantano (QB) - Tennessee, and Nate Stanley (QB) - Iowa, who won the weekly award. Love was also named the College Sports Madness Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Rebels.
 
GREENE RECORDS FIRST-CAREER 100-YARD RECEIVING GAME
• Senior WR Jalen Greene recorded his first-career 100-yard receiving game in his last outing against UNLV as he tied his career-high with five receptions for a career-best 132 yards, including a career-long 80 yard touchdown, his third of the season, which is tied for the 16th-longest pass play in school history. During his last four games, Greene has caught 18 passes for 258 yards (14.3 ypr/64.5 ypg) and two touchdowns.
 
TARVER HAS CAUGHT FOUR TOUCHDOWNS IN HIS LAST TWO GAMES
• Senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver has caught four touchdowns in his last two games after going the first four games of the season without a touchdown reception. Overall, he now has 14 career touchdown receptions and is just two touchdown catches shy of entering the top 10 all-time in Utah State history. Overall, Tarver has three career games with multiple touchdown receptions and three career 100-yard receiving games, including one this year. 
 
THOMPSON SCORES TEAM-LEADING SEVENTH RUSHING TOUCHDOWN
• Junior RB Darwin Thompson scored his team-leading seventh rushing touchdown of the season last weekend in the UNLV game and has scored at least one rushing touchdown in five of his first six games at USU, including multiple rushing touchdowns against Michigan State and Air Force. Thompson also has a pair of 100-yard rushing games this year as he carried the ball a career-high 17 times for a career-best 109 yards at BYU and six times for 107 yards against Tennessee Tech. In his last five games, Thompson has carried the ball 46 times for 398 yards (9.7 ypc/79.6 ypg) with five touchdowns. 
 
BRIGHT PLAYING WELL FOR UTAH STATE
• In his last five games, junior RB Gerold Bright has carried the ball 63 times for 423 yards (6.7 ypc/84.6 ypg) with four touchdowns. He has also had two 100-yard rushing games in his last five outings as he carried the ball a career-high 14 times for a career-best 134 yards against New Mexico State and 11 carries for 101 yards against Air Force. Overall, Bright has scored at least one rushing touchdown in three of his last five games.
 
WOODWARD HAS CAREER GAME AGAINST UNLV
• Sophomore LB David Woodward had a career game in his last outing against UNLV as he recorded his fourth double-digit tackle outing of the season and the fifth of his career with 12 stops, which included a career-high 3.0 sacks and a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss. In fact, Woodward is the only player in the nation this year to have 10 or more tackles and 3.0 or more sacks in a game. Entering the UNLV game, Woodward had 2.0 sacks and 5.0 tackles for his loss in 14 career games.
 
INGRAM HAS FIVE PASS BREAKUPS IN LAST TWO GAMES
• Sophomore CB Ja'Marcus Ingram has played very well in his last two games as he had three tackles and two pass breakups against UNLV and a career-high-tying six tackles to go along with a career-high three pass breakups two weekends ago at BYU. In comparison, he had a total of six pass breakups in his first 16 career games.
 
DEFENSIVE NOTABLES FROM THE UNLV GAME
• Senior S Jontrell Rocquemore intercepted his first pass this season and the third of his career in the second quarter. Senior DE Adewale Adeoye had 0.5 tackles for loss to give him 2.0 tackles for loss this season and 6.5 tackles for loss in his career. Senior CB Deante Fortenberry had a career-high two pass breakups to give him three pass breakups in his career. Senior LB Suli Tamaivena had a season-high 1.5 tackles for loss, giving him 8.0 tackles for loss in his career. Junior DE Fua Leilua had his first career sack, giving him 5.0 tackles for loss on the season. Junior LB Tipa Galeai had 1.0 sack, giving him 5.5 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss on the season. Junior DE Jacoby Wildman tied his career-high with 1.0 sack, giving him 2.0 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in his career.
Sophomore S Shaq Bond tied his career-high with 1.0 tackles for loss, giving him 2.0 tackles for loss this season, and added his fifth pass breakup of the year. Sophomore DE Logan Lee had a career-high 1.0 sack and a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss as part of his career-high five tackles.
 
OTHER OFFENSIVE NOTABLES
• Utah State has scored 17 touchdowns in its last 22 trips into the red zone (77.2 %).
 
• Utah State has only thrown three interceptions this season, which ranks second in the Mountain West behind Air Force (2) and 18th in the nation. In fact, USU has not thrown an interception in its last four games, which is its longest streak since not throwing an interception in its first six games of 2011.
 
• Utah State's offensive line has not allowed a sack in its last two games and has only allowed one sack in its last four games. On the season, USU ranks third in the Mountain West and 14th in the nation with an average of just 1.0 sacks per game.
 
• Utah State has committed just one turnover in its last two games and that came on a fumbled punt return. In fact, USU's last two turnovers have both been on special teams as its last offensive turnover came in the second quarter against Air Force. Overall, USU has now gone 168 offensive snaps without a turnover.
 
• Utah State's offense is averaging just 4.67 tackles for loss per game, which ranks second in the Mountain West and 20th in the nation.
 
OTHER DEFENSIVE NOTABLES
• Utah State has scored touchdowns on each of its last seven forced turnovers. On the season, USU has nine touchdowns and two field goals after forcing a turnover, to go along with one punt and one fumble, and the half ending on the other.
 
• Utah State had a season-high 7.0 sacks as part of its 11.0 tackles for loss in its last outing against UNLV. Those 7.0 sacks are the most by an Aggie team since recording 8.0 sacks at Colorado State in 2014. Furthermore, its 11.0 tackles for loss against UNLV trail the 12.0 tackles for loss it had earlier this season against New Mexico State.
 
• Utah State has not allowed a 100-yar rusher this season and its longest run play allowed was 26 yards by Michigan State in the season opener.
 
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 10-of-12 this season and 31-of-41 in his career on field goal attempts, including 2-of-3 this year and 12-of-14 in his career from 20-29 yards, 2-of-3 this season and 7-of-9 in his career from 30-39 yards, 3-of-3 this year and 8-of-14 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 eight of his extra points in his last game against UNLV and is now a perfect 84-for-84 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. Eberle now ranks fifth all-time in school history in extra points made and 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 THIRD ALL-TIME IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
• Junior PK Dominik Eberle is 10-for-12 on field goal attempts this season and 31-of-41 on field goal attempts in his career, and his 75.6 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 31 and ninth all-time in field goals attempted with 41. 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.
 
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 14 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 S Maurice Alexander (Seattle),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 IN MAVERIK STADIUM
• Utah State is 4-0 at home inside Maverik Stadium in 2018 and is now 33-9 in its last 42 home games, which includes a 25-9 record under Wells. Overall, USU has won five-straight home games dating back to last season and is now 145-105 all-time inside Maverik Stadium.
 
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS AND ACCOLADES
• 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.
 
• 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.
 
• 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).
 
• 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).
 
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).
 
WELLS NOTABLES
• Utah State head coach Matt Wells' 39 wins are the third-most in school history, while his 54.2 winning percentage (39-33) ranks seventh with a minimum of 15 games coached. Wells is also 25-17 (.595) 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.