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Maile Press Conference 

AGGIES HOST MOUNTAIN WEST-FOE NEW MEXICO IN THANKSGIVING GAME
Game will be televised live on Fox Sports 1 at 5 p.m.
 
NEW MEXICO (0-4, 0-4 MW) vs. UTAH STATE (0-4, 0-4 MW)
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020 • 5 p.m. (MT) • Logan, Utah • Maverik Stadium (25,100)
 
GAME 6 INFORMATION
TV: FOX SPORTS 1
• Play-by-Play: Alex Faust
• Analyst: Petros Papadakis
• Xfinity (Utah): Ch. 265/HD691
• DirecTV: Ch. 219
• DISH: Ch. 150
 
RADIO: AGGIE SPORTS NETWORK
• Play-by-Play: Craig Bolerjack
• 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)
• Green River: KRPX (102.7 FM)
• Moab: KRPX (100.3 FM)
• Montpelier: KVSI (1450 AM/101.7 FM)
• Orangeville: KRPX (95.9 FM)
• Price: KRPX (95.3 FM)
 
KICKOFF COVERAGE
• Utah State's Frank Maile was named the Aggies' interim head coach after USU Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell announced the head coaching change on Saturday, Nov. 7. Maile, who is in his 10th year at USU and 12th year as a collegiate coach, also served as the Aggies' interim head coach in the 2018 New Mexico Bowl as USU posted a 52-13 win against North Texas. Maile was a four-year letterwinner along the defensive line for the Aggies from 2004-07.
 
• Utah State's game at Wyoming last week (Nov. 19) was canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the USU program.
 
• Utah State's 0-4 start to the 2020 season is its first since 2007. The last time USU began conference play with an 0-4 record was also during the 2010 season.
 
• Utah State's Savon Scarver returned his sixth-career kickoff for a touchdown two weekends ago against Fresno State and is now just one kickoff return for a touchdown shy of tying both the Mountain West and NCAA record, which is held by four players.
 
• Utah State is 36-25 (.590) all-time in the Mountain West, including a 20-10 (.667) home record, and has won 47 of its last 71 (.662) league games dating back to 2011. In fact, USU is 15-8 (.652) in its last 23 MW games and 18-12 (.600) in its last 30 games against all opponents.
 
• Utah State is 8-3 (.727) in its last 11 Mountain West home games and 39-13 (.750) in its last 52 home games overall. All-time, Utah State is 151-109 (.581) in Maverik Stadium.
 
• Utah State (36-25) has the third-best record against Mountain West opponents (including championship games) since USU joined the league in 2013. Boise State (53-11) has the best record in the league during that time, while San Diego State (45-18) has the second-best record.
 
• Utah State is the 13th-youngest team in the nation as 65.4 percent of its roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores. Overall, USU has 46 freshmen and 22 sophomores on its 2020 roster, to go along with nine juniors and 22 seniors.
 
UTAH STATE HOSTS NEW MEXICO IN THANKSGIVING GAME
• Utah State (0-4, 0-4 MW) continues Mountain West play this week with a home game against New Mexico (0-4, 0-4 MW) on Thursday, Nov. 26, at 5 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1 (Xfinity Ch. 265/HD691, DirecTV Ch. 219, DISH Ch. 150) with Alex Faust (play-by-play) and Petros Papadakis (analyst) on the call.
 
• No fans, other than family members of the players, will be allowed to attend this week's game. USU did have 5,116 fans for its home opener against San Diego State on Oct. 31, but did not allow fans for its home game against Fresno State on Nov. 14.
 
THIRTEEN AGGIES HAVE MISSED A COMBINED 20 GAMES THUS FAR IN 2020
• Utah State has had 13 players listed on its depth chart that have combined to miss 20 games thus far during the 2020 season due to a combination of injuries and COVID-19. Aggies that have missed two games thus far include senior DL Ritisoni Fata, senior S Troy Lefeged Jr., senior TE Moses Manu, senior TE Carson Terrell, junior PK Connor Coles, junior OL Chandler Dolphin and sophomore OL Jacob South. Aggies that have missed one game include senior DL Jaylin Bannerman, senior WR Savon Scarver, senior RB Jaylen Warren, junior S Jared Reed, sophomore QB Andrew Peasley and freshman OL Falepule Alo.
 
• Utah State has also had four full-time coaches and one graduate assistant that have missed a combined five games thus far this year.
 
THREE STARTERS OPT OUT FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON
• Utah State senior ILB Cash Gilliam (personal), senior S Troy Lefeged Jr. (injury) and junior WR Deven Thompkins (personal) will all miss the remainder of the 2020 season. Gilliam played in three games and had 20 tackles, which included 1.0 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Lefeged played in just two games this season due to injury and had 13 tackles. Last year, he led the team with 104 tackles, which included 2.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss, to go along with three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four pass breakups. Thompkins had played in all four games this season and was leading the team with 20 receptions for 214 yards and one touchdowns. For his career, he has 69 receptions for 815 yards and five touchdowns.
 
SHELLEY DISMISSED FROM TEAM
• Utah State interim head coach Frank Maile announced on Sunday, Nov. 15, that junior QB Jason Shelley has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. Shelley, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound quarterback from Frisco, Texas (Lone Star HS/Utah) had started each of USU's first four games and was 51-of-99 (.515) passing for 420 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Shelley transferred to USU after spending the past three seasons at Utah, where he redshirted in 2017 and played in 19 total games, including five starts, in 2018 and 2019.
 
AGGIES ON THANKSGIVING
• Utah State will be playing a football game on Thanksgiving for the first time since 1973, when it lost at Southern Mississippi, 32-8. The last time USU hosted a game on Thanksgiving was in 1972, when it posted a 20-16 home win against Weber State. The only other times USU has played at home on Thanksgiving was in 1909 (L, 22-0 vs. Utah), 1913 (W, 21-0 vs. Utah) and 1944 (L, 47-0 vs. Utah). All-time, USU is 10-28-3 (.280) on Thanksgiving, which includes a 2-2 home record, and all but four of its Thanksgiving games have been against Utah. The other two non-Utah teams that the Aggies have played on Thanksgiving were both road games as it won at Wichita State 21-13 in 1942 and lost at Pacific 20-14 in 1953.
 
• Utah State has only played on Thanksgiving twice since 1958 with games in 1972 and 1973 as 39 of its 41 games occurred from 1906 to 1958.
 
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO
• New Mexico is 0-4 on the season and 0-4 in Mountain West play following its 28-0 conference road loss at Air Force last weekend. The Lobos are led by sophomore QB Trae Hall, who is 42-of-80 (.525) passing for 455 yards (151.7 ypg) with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Junior RB Bobby Cole leads the team in rushing with 255 yards on 45 carries (5.7 ypc/63.8 ypg) with one touchdown, and senior WR Emmanuel Logan-Greene has caught 21 passes for 219 yards (10.4 ypr/54.8 ypg) with no touchdowns. Defensively, senior LB Brandon Shook has a team-best 37 tackles, which includes 1.5 tackles for loss, while freshman S Tavian Combs has 29 tackles. As a team, New Mexico is averaging 18.5 points and 399.5 yards of total offense per game (236.5 passing, 163.0 rushing), and allowing 33.0 points and 474.0 yards of total offense (324.2 passing, 149.8 rushing). New Mexico returns 10 starters (O-7, D-3) and 50 lettermen (O-23, D-24, S-3) from last year's team that went 2-10 overall and 0-8 in Mountain West play to finish sixth in the Mountain Division. Danny Gonzales is in his first season as a collegiate head coach.
 
AGGIES AND LOBOS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State and New Mexico have each won 13 games in the series, with USU winning each of the last three and six of the last nine overall. The first game played in the series was in Albuquerque on Dec. 1, 1951, with UNM winning 17-13. USU won last year's meeting in Albuquerque, 38-25, and posted a 61-19 home win in 2018, which is the last time the two teams played one another in Logan. Overall, USU has a 7-4 advantage against UNM in home games. Overall, USU is 5-2 against the Lobos since joining the Mountain West in 2013.
 
UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO AS CONFERENCE FOES
• Utah State and New Mexico have spent 19 years as league foes as both schools were members of the Skyline Conference from 1951 to 1961, along with its current membership in the Mountain West. The Lobos have been members of the MW since its inception in 1999, while USU joined the league prior to the 2013 season.
 
UTAH STATE vs. NEW MEXICO SERIES 13TH-MOST PLAYED IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State and New Mexico will be meeting for the 27th time this weekend in what is the 13th-most played series in school history.
 
COACHING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO
• Utah State offensive line coach TJ Woods spent two years (2007-08) as a graduate assistant coach at New Mexico under Rocky Long, who was then the head coach of the Lobos and is now UNM's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Woods also worked under current UNM offensive line coach Jason Lenzmeier. USU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bodie Reeder was on staff at North Texas in 2019 with UNM cornerbacks coach Troy Reffett.
 
CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO PLAYERS
• The following are connections between Utah State and New Mexico players. USU senior S Shaq Bond and UNM freshman WR Jathan Washington both attended Southwestern JC in San Diego, Calif. USU senior WR Sean Carter attended Westlake HS in Westlake Village, Calif., as did UNM senior LB Brandon Shook. USU senior RB Jaylen Warren and senior WR Derek Wright both attended Snow JC in Ephraim, Utah, as did UNM senior OL Kyle Stapley. USU senior TE Mosese Manu attended Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) JC, as did UNM senior DL Elmer Pauni. USU senior LB Eric Munoz attended San Diego Mesa (Calif.) CC, as did UNM senior LB Devin Sanders. USU junior CB Xavion Steele and UNM senior LS Joey Noble both began their careers at Fullerton (Calif.) JC. USU sophomore RB Cooper Jones began his career at Butte (Mont.) CC, as did UNM senior WR Jordan Kress, junior QB Brandt Hughes and sophomore OL Isaak Gutierrez.
 
STATS FOR CURRENT AGGIES WITH MULTIPLE GAMES PLAYED vs. NEW MEXICO
• The following is a look at what current Utah State players have done against New Mexico in multiple games played. Senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua has 1.0 knockdowns in three games. Senior DL Ritisoni Fata has five tackles, including a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss in 2018, in three games. Senior LB Kevin Meitzenheimer has 15 tackles and one interception in three games. Senior WR Jordan Nathan has eight receptions for 85 yards (10.6 ypc) and one touchdown, to go along with six punt returns for 37 yards (6.2 ypr), and one kickoff return for four yards, in three games. Senior DL Justus Te'i has seven tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup in three games. Senior TE Carson Terrell has caught one pass for a 29-yard touchdown in three games. Senior S Shaq Bond has 12 tackles, one interception and one pass breakup in two games. His 100-yard interception return against the Lobos in 2018 is one of two pick-sixes in his career. Senior LS Brandon Pada has one tackle in two games. Senior WR Savon Scarver has caught four passes for 25 yards, rushed twice for three yards and returned two kickoffs for 35 yards in two games. Senior WR Taylor Compton has three passes for 14 yards in two games. Junior OL Alfred Edwards has 2.0 knockdowns in two games. Junior CB Andre Grayson has three tackles in two games. Sophomore OL Karter Shaw has 2.0 knockdowns in two games.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 34 players in its program from the state of Utah, while New Mexico has 27 players on its roster from the Land of Enchantment.
 
• Utah State is 44-21 (.677) all-time against Division I teams from the state of New Mexico with a 31-8 record against New Mexico State and a 13-13 record versus New Mexico.
 
• Utah State is 28-15 (.651) in its last 43 games played during the month of November and is 6-7 all-time in known games played on Nov. 26. USU is also 19-34-4 (.368) all-time in known games played on Thursday. USU was scheduled to play four Thursday games this year.
 
SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND NEW MEXICO
• Utah State has held New Mexico to less than 30 points in each of the last seven meetings and in 23 games in series history. USU has been held to less than 30 points four times in the last six meetings and in 18 games in series history.
 
• Three of the last six games in the series have been decided by one score. Overall, 11 of the previous 26 games (.423) in the series have been decided by one score.
 
• Nine of Utah State's last 11 wins in the series have been by double digits, while five of New Mexico's last seven wins have been by single digits.
 
• New Mexico had controlled the time of possession in eight of the last 11 meetings.
 
• New Mexico has rushed for more yards in eight of the previous 11 meetings, while Utah State has passed for more yards in nine of the last 11 meetings.
 
• The team with the most rushing yards has won eight of the last 11 meetings, with the only exception being Utah State's wins in 2002, 2017 and 2019.
 
• The team with fewer turnovers has won nine of the last 11 meetings, and there have been fewer than three turnovers by both teams in six of the last 11 meetings.
 
• In the last 11 meetings, Utah State is 4-2 when scoring first and 5-2 when leading at the half, while New Mexico is 3-2 when scoring first and 2-1 when leading at the half.
 
• The team that scores first has won six of the last eight games in the series, while the team that leads at the half has won seven of the last eight games.
 
• New Mexico has had four 100-yard receivers and four 100-yard rushers in the past 11 meetings, but no 300-yard passers, while Utah State has had four 100-yard rushers and three 100-yard receivers in the last 11 meetings, to go along with three 300-yard passers
 
• In 26 previous meetings with New Mexico, Utah State has had nine 100-yard rushers, three 100-yard receivers and three 300-yard passers.
 
• There have been four shutouts in series history, three by Utah State's defense and one by New Mexico's defense. USU has also held UNM to 10 or fewer points seven times and is 7-0 in those games.
 
FROM THE RECORD BOOKS
Here is a look at some of the top Utah State team and individual statistical performances against New Mexico over the years.
 
• Utah State set a then-school record with 704 yards of total offense against New Mexico in 2018. That total is now the second-most in school history.
 
• Utah State's 516 passing yards against New Mexico in 2018 are the second-most in school history.
 
• Utah State's 39-36 loss at New Mexico in 1998 is its only triple-overtime game in school history and the Aggies have never played in an overtime game that went longer than three periods. In fact, USU has played just 12 overtime games in school history and two have been against New Mexico as the Aggies posted a 45-44 overtime home win against UNM in 2002.
 
• New Mexico is Utah State's only opponent that it has played multiple overtime games against.
 
• Utah State's eight forced turnovers vs. New Mexico in 1961 is tied for the most in school history, along with the eight turnovers it forced against Boise State in 2015, Idaho in 1971 and 1969, and San Diego State in 1968. USU's seven recovered fumbles against UNM in 1961 is a school record.
 
• Utah State allowed just two first downs against New Mexico in 1953, which is tied for the school record, also doing so against Idaho in 1961.
 
• Utah State's 470 rushing yards against New Mexico in 1960 are the second-most in school history, while its 337 rushing yards against UNM in 2013 rank as the 25th-most.
 
• Utah State allowed New Mexico zero passing yards and no completions in 1954, both of which are tied for single-game school records.
 
• Jose Fuentes' 80-yard pass to Kevin Curtis against New Mexico in 2002 is tied for the 18th-longest pass play in school history, while Travis Cox's 79-yard pass to Barry Tolli against UNM in 2003 is tied for the 25th-longest pass play in school history.
 
• Brad Bohn set a then-school record for points scored by a kicker with 18 against New Mexico in 1998, a record that was broken by Dominik Eberle. Bohn also tied the then-school record for field goals made in that game against the Lobos as he was 5-of-5 on field goals (37, 23, 23, 41, 33) and 3-for-3 on extra points. That record was also broken by Eberle.
 
• Jordan Love's 448 passing yards against New Mexico in 2018 are the fifth-most in school history.
 
UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 163-186-8 (.467) all-time against current members of the Mountain West with a 40-26-4 record vs. Wyoming, a 35-39-2 record vs. Colorado State, a 17-7 record vs. UNLV, an 18-20-1 record vs. San José State, a 13-18-1 record vs. Fresno State, a 13-13 record vs. New Mexico, a 10-6 record vs. Hawai`i, a 7-19 record vs. Nevada, a 5-20 record vs. Boise State, a 3-5 record vs. Air Force, and a 2-13 record vs. San Diego State..
 
• Utah State is in its eighth year as a member of the Mountain West in 2019 and has been a Division I-A/Bowl Championship Series football playing school in each of its 122 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.
 
LAST MEETING vs. NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Utah State closed out the regular season with a 38-25 win at New Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. The victory assured the Aggies of a winning record for the second straight season.
               
Utah State has claimed three straight and six of the last nine matchups against New Mexico. The overall series between the two rivals is now tied at 13-apiece.
               
The Aggies (7-5, 6-2 Mountain West) have won at least seven games for the sixth time in the past nine years. USU has also won six league games for the fourth time in its seven years in the MW. Overall, it is just the sixth time in school history that Utah State has won six conference games, joining the 1936 (6-0), 2012 (6-0), 2013 (7-1), 2014 (6-2) and 2018 (7-1) teams.
               
Utah State finished the game with 368 yards of total offense (196 rushing, 172 passing) and was 8-of-18 on third downs.
               
Gerold Bright rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries for the Aggies, who gained 368 yards of total offense, including 196 on the ground. The senior running back became the 10th different player in Utah State history to eclipse the 2,000-yard plateau for career rushing yards.
               
Bright now has 2,051 yards rushing in his career, good enough for 10th place in school history. He now has 27 career touchdowns, which is tied for ninth all-time in school history, while his 21 career rushing touchdowns are tied for eighth all-time.
               
Junior QB Jordan Love completed 18-of-35 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns. Junior WR Jordan Nathan caught four passes for 31 yards, while Bright added four receptions for 14 yards.
               
Nathan scored on an 11-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter to give Utah State a 17-6 advantage.
               
The Aggies jumped out to a 10-0 lead courtesy of a 5-yard touchdown pass from Love to senior graduate transfer TE Caleb Repp and a 45-yard field goal from senior PK Dominik Eberle.
               
A 1-yard touchdown run by Bright and a 16-yard touchdown catch from junior WR Derek Wright less than a minute apart sent Utah State into the locker room with a 31-6 lead.
               
Redshirt junior DE Justus Te'i set up Bright's score when he recovered a fumble at the UNM 13-yard line. Senior DT Christopher Unga recovered a fumble on the Lobos' very next possession, setting up Wright's touchdown.
               
Senior CB DJ Williams intercepted a pair of passes for Utah State. Junior LB Eric Munoz and junior S Shaq Bond had nine tackles apiece for the Aggies. Senior DE Tipa Galeai had a season-high 2.0 sacks, while senior DT Devon Anderson had 1.0 sacks to go along with a forced fumble.
               
In all, Utah State's defense forced four turnovers with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries and held the Lobos to 383 total yards and 4-of-13 on third down.
               
New Mexico QB Trae Hall was 10-of-21 passing for 107 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with two interceptions. Hall also carried the ball 22 times for 115 yards and two more scores. The Lobos ended their season at 2-10, including 0-8 in the Mountain West.
 
LAST HOME MEETING vs. NEW MEXICO
LOGAN, Utah - Sophomore QB Jordan Love completed 23-of-34 passes for 448 yards and four touchdowns in a little more than two quarters of work to lead Utah State to a 61-19 Mountain West home win against New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium.
               
With the win, Utah State (7-1, 4-0 MW) matched its best start since the 1965 campaign, when that team also started the year by winning seven of its first eight games.
               
Utah State, which scored 28 points during the first 15 minutes of play and had 52 points at halftime, finished with a school-record 704 yards of total offense. The previous mark of 684 yards was accomplished twice, the first time against Nevada in 1992 and then again in 2001 against Weber State. Furthermore, those 704 yards of total offense are tied for the 10th-most in the nation this season at the FBS level.
               
Utah State passed for 516 yards, which ranks second all-time in school history, on 30-of-42 completions. They also rushed for 188 yards against New Mexico (3-5. 1-3 MW) as USU kept the ball for a season-high 36:18 and converted 10-of-17 third downs on the day.
               
The Lobos recorded 291 yards of total offense, marking the third time this season Utah State has limited an opponent to less than 300 total yards.
               
Senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver led the Aggies with seven catches for 112 yards and one touchdown, while fellow senior WR Jalen Greene added four receptions for 108 yards. It is the first time since the 2013 campaign that the Aggies have had two players with 100 receiving yards in the same game. Fourteen different players caught a pass for USU on the day.
               
The Lobos dented the scoreboard first on a 53-yard field goal by Andrew Shelley with 12:40 left in the opening quarter, but it was all Aggies after that.
               
After going three-and-out on the opening possession of the game, Utah State scored touchdowns on its next six series – seven when you throw in the 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by sophomore S Shaq Bond that gave the Aggies a 14-3 lead with 6:33 remaining in the first.
               
In a span of less than 20 minutes between the first and second quarters, Utah State hung 49 consecutive points up on the board, ignited by junior RB Darwin Thompson's 3-yard touchdown run, his 10th of the season and fourth in the last three games.
               
Following Bond's interception return for a score, Love connected on touchdown passes of 17 yards to sophomore WR Jordan Nathan, 28 yards to Tarver, 29 yards to sophomore TE Carson Terrell and 19 yards to junior TE Dax Raymond.
               
Love capped the 49-point outburst by the Aggies on a 1-yard touchdown with 5:21 left in the second quarter. The rest of the Aggies' points on the day came off the foot of junior PK Dominik Eberle, who was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals (34, 27, 28 and 18 yards, respectively) and 7-for-7 on extra points.
               
Bond was one of four Aggies that intercepted a pass as sophomore LB Kevin Meitzenheimer, junior CB DJ Williams and sophomore DE Logan Lee each added one. It was the first career pick for all four players. Additionally, sophomore S Chase Nelson forced his first career fumble, which was recovered by junior S Chance Parker, for the first fumble recovery of his career.
               
Along with its five forced turnovers on the day, the Aggie defense recorded 8.0 tackles for loss and forced New Mexico's offense into 10 three-and-outs on 17 possessions in the game.
 
GAME 4 RECAP vs. FRESNO STATE
LOGAN, Utah - Senior RB Jaylen Warren rushed for a season-high 136 yards and a touchdown, but Utah State could not overcome two costly turnovers in a 35-16 Homecoming loss to Fresno State on Saturday, Nov. 14, on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium.
               
Warren's touchdown came on the Aggies' very first play from scrimmage as he scored on a career-long 86-yard run, giving the hosts a 6-0 lead with 11:02 left in the opening quarter. The native of Salt Lake City, Utah, helped USU (0-4, 0-4 Mountain West) amass season highs in total offense (343 yards) and rushing yards (199).
               
Utah State's defense set up Warren's touchdown when senior S Shaq Bond intercepted a pass by Fresno State QB Jake Haener at the Aggies' 3-yard line and returned it 11 yards to the 14. One play later, Warren was in the end zone.
               
Haener redeemed himself on the Bulldogs' very next drive when he marched the visitors 75 yards, capping the 13-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Cropper to make it 7-6.
               
Utah State regained the lead on the ensuing kickoff when senior WR Savon Scarver returned it 94 yards for a touchdown. It was his sixth-career kickoff return for a touchdown, which ranks first all-time in school history, second in MW history and tied for the fifth-most in NCAA history.
               
The Aggies appeared as if they would make it a double-digit lead when Warren ripped off a 36-yard run down to the Fresno State (3-1, 3-1 MW) 15-yard line, but Evan Williams knocked the ball out of Warren's grasp and Bralyn Lux recovered it for the Bulldogs at the 4-yard line. Four plays later, Fresno State regained the lead for good on a 59-yard touchdown pass from Haener to Cropper. Haener's third touchdown pass of the first half, a 71-yarder to Josh Kelly, made it 21-13 with 5:41 left until the break.
               
On the ensuing drive, Utah State junior QB Jason Shelley connected with junior WR Deven Thompkins for a 44-yard pass, setting the Aggies up the Bulldogs' 2-yard line. Shelley tried to sneak it on the next play, but was stopped short of the goal line. Unfortunately for Utah State, it was all backward from there as a bad snap resulted in a 16-yard loss, followed by a sack of Shelley, left the Aggies facing fourth-and-goal from the 21. Junior PK Connor Coles made sure USU didn't come away empty-handed as he drilled a 38-yard field goal to make it 21-16.
               
The Bulldogs went into the break with a 28-16 lead following a 4-yard touchdown run by Ronnie Rivers with 34 seconds left on the clock. Rivers finished with 132 yards rushing on 25 carries, helping Fresno State record 541 yards of total offense.
               
Utah State forced its second turnover of the day in the red zone when sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh forced a fumble that was recovered by senior DL Jake Pitcher at the Aggies' 14-yard line.
               
Fresno State slammed the door on Utah State for good when it turned a fumble by the Aggies into a touchdown, giving the visitors a 35-16 lead with 5:21 to go in the game.                                         
 
Vongphachanh had a team-high nine tackles, which included 0.5 tackles for loss, while sophomore S Dominic Tatum added a career-high eight tackles.
 
WARREN POSTS THIRD-CAREER 100-YARD GAME
• Senior RB Jaylen Warren notched his third-career 100-yard rushing game two weekends ago against Fresno State as he carried the ball nine times for 136 yards, including a career-long 86-yard run for a touchdown, which is tied for the eighth-longest rush in school history, along with Kerwynn Williams, who did so in 2012. Warren now has three rushing touchdowns this season and eight in his career.
 
• Warren began his Aggie career by rushing for 141 yards on 19 carries against Wake Forest and then rushed for 105 yards on nine carries against Stony Brook to become the first player ever to rush for 100 yards in an Aggie debut and in back-to-back games to start a career.
 
• During his first three games of the 2019 season, Warren carried the ball 45 times for 324 yards (7.1 ypc/106.7 ypg) with four touchdowns before fighting injuries the rest of the season.
 
SCARVER RETURNS SIXTH-CAREER KICKOFF FOR TOUCHDOWN
• Senior WR Savon Scarver returned his sixth-career kickoff for a touchdown against Fresno State two weekends ago from 94 yards to extend his own school record that was previously held by Kevin Robinson (2004-07), who returned four kickoffs for touchdowns during his career.
 
• Scarver's six kickoff returns for touchdown are the second-most in Mountain West history, behind San Diego State's Rashaad Penny (2014-17), who had seven.
 
• The NCAA record for kickoff returns for touchdowns in a career is seven set by four players (Clemson's C.J. Spiller (2006-09), Houston's Tyron Carrier (2008-11), Memphis' Tony Pollard (2015-18) and Penny), and Scarver's six kickoff returns for touchdowns is tied with four other players (Tulsa's Ashlan Davis (2004-05), UCF's Quincy McDuffie (2009-12), Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert (2010-13) and Duke's Devon Edwards (2013-16) for the fifth-most in NCAA history.
 
• Of his six career kickoff returns for touchdowns, three have been from 100 yards, while the others were from 99, 96 and 94 yards, respectively.
 
BOND INTERCEPTS FIFTH-CAREER PASS IN FRESNO STATE GAME
• Senior S Shaq Bond intercepted his first pass of the season and the fifth of his career two weekends ago against Fresno State. Bond's interception came in the first quarter in the red zone as he picked it off at the 3-yard line and returned it 11 yards. Bond also had a pass breakup, to go along with four tackles against the Bulldogs.
 
VONGPHACHANH LEADS AGGIES IN TACKLES IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
• Sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh has led the Aggies in tackles in each of his last two games as he had nine stops, which included 0.5 tackles for loss, to go along with his first-career forced fumble against Fresno State two weekends ago. Three weekends ago against Nevada, Vongphachanh had a career game as he posted his first-ever double-digit tackle outing with a career-high 17 stops, which included a career-high 1.0 sacks that resulted in his first-ever safety.
 
• Those 17 tackles for Vongphachanh are tied for the second most in a single game in the Mountain West this season and tied for 13th nationally.
 
KOTSANLEE PUNTING WELL FOR THE AGGIES
• Freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee has been punting well for Utah State this fall. Two weekends ago against Fresno State, he punted eight times for an average of 42.4 yards per punt with three of  his punts downed inside the 20-yard line. He also had two 50-yard punts in the game, including a career-long 63 yarder. Three weekends ago at Nevada, he punted a career-high 10 times for an average of 42.5 yards per punt with a long of 52 yards. He also had a career-high five of those punts downed inside the 20-yard line. On the season, he now has four 50-yard punts and 12 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
 
• Those 10 punts for Kotsanlee against Nevada are the most in a single game in the Mountain West this year and tied for the third most nationally.   
 
OTHER INDIVIDUAL NOTABLES FROM FRESNO STATE GAME
• Senior DL Jake Pitcher recovered his first-career fumble. Sophomore OLB Elijah Shelton tied his career high with 1.0 sacks and had a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss to give him 2.0 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in his career. Sophomore S Dominic Tatum had his first pass breakup this season and the third of his career. Tatum also had a career-high eight tackles, which included his first-career tackle for loss. Sophomore CB Cam Lampkin had his first-career sack to give him 2.0 tackles for loss this season and in his career. Senior OLB Nick Heninger had 1.5 tackles for loss to give him 4.0 tackles for loss on the season and 15.5 in his career. Senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer had 0.5 tackles for loss to give him 3.5 tackles for loss this season and 8.0 in his career. Senior DL Marcus Moore had 1.0 sacks to give him 2.0 sacks this season and 3.0 in his career. Freshman CB Jakob Robinson had a season-high five tackles. Senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole had a season-high 73 rushing yards on a season-best-tying 11 carries, including a season-long rush of 24 yards. And, junior PK Connor Coles made his first-career field goal attempt from 38 yards.
 
UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 34 of its last 41 games when it has a 100-yard rusher, including an 0-1 record this year, and 38 of its last 43 contests when rushing at least 40 times in a game, including an 0-1 record this year. USU has also won 54 of its last 59 games when scoring at least 30 points.
 
AGGIES START SEASON WITH NEW COORDINATORS FOR THIRD-STRAIGHT YEAR
• Utah State has new offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators this season as Bodie Reeder replaces Mike Sanford as the offensive coordinator, while Stacy Collins and Frank Maile replace Justin Ena as the defensive coordinator, and Roc Bellantoni replaces Collins as the special teams coordinator. In fact, it will be the third-straight year that USU has new coordinators on offense, defense and special teams.
 
• Utah State has had a different defensive coordinator in each of its last four seasons and a different special teams coordinator in each of its last six season. The last time USU had the same defensive coordinator for multiple years was Todd Orlando (2013-14), while its last special teams coordinator to coach multiple seasons was Dave Ungerer (2013-15). Ironically, USU has had the same offensive coordinator for multiple seasons twice during the past eight seasons with David Yost (2017-18) and Kevin McGiven (2013-14).
 
• Overall, Utah State is one of three FBS schools to have new coordinators on offense, defense and special teams in each of the past three seasons, along with Appalachian State and West Virginia.
 
COVID-19 IMPACT ON 2020 SCHEDULE
• Due to COVID-19, Utah State began the 2020 season with a league game for the first time since 1995 and for just the sixth time since 1938. Furthermore, its eight-game schedule is its fewest since it played seven games in 1945.
 
• Utah State's Oct. 24 opener was its latest start to a season since 1906, when that team's first game was on Nov. 3. In fact, the last time USU started a season in October prior to this year was in 1944, when its first game was on Oct. 14.
 
• Utah State's Oct. 31 date for its home opener was its latest in 91 years as the last time USU had a later home opener was in 1929, when that team played its first home game on Nov. 9. Overall, USU's home opener this year is its fourth-latest start dating back to 1900 (11/9/1929, 11/26/1904, 11/17/1900).
 
• The last time Utah State's first home game was in October was in 1986, when it began its home season with a 42-9 win against New Mexico State on Oct. 4. Dating back to World War II and the 1944 season, USU has started its home schedule in October nine times (1944, 1954, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1986, 2020).
 
• Utah State's non-conference game with BYU, which was scheduled for Oct. 2, was canceled. The last time USU did not play the Cougars was during the 2007 season. In fact, BYU and USU played one another for 55 straight years between 1946 and 2002 before the series had a three-year hiatus.
 
• Utah State is not playing a Power 5 opponent for the first time since 1995. USU was scheduled to host Washington State on Sept. 3 and play at Washington on Sept. 19 this fall.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has four players on its current roster who transferred from Power 5 programs in senior PK Nels Haltom (Utah), senior OLB Nick Heninger (Utah), senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole (Utah) and senior DL Marcus Moore (UCLA). USU has two more players on its roster that began their careers at Power 5 programs as senior DL Jaylin Bannerman began his collegiate career at Kentucky, while sophomore WR Justin McGriff began his collegiate career at Nebraska.
 
• Utah State has seven players on its current roster that began their careers as walk-ons and went on to earn scholarships in senior WR Taylor Compton, senior graduate transfer OLB Nick Heninger, senior LB Eric Munoz, senior LS Brandon Pada, senior DL Jake Pitcher, senior WR Derek Wright and sophomore OL Karter Shaw. Furthermore, senior P Christopher Bartolic is currently a walk-on.
 
UTAH STATE HAS HAD 16 FIRST-TIME STARTERS THIS SEASON
• Utah State has had 16 players make their first-career start this season. Against Boise State, senior OLB Nick Heninger, senior DL Marcus Moore, senior TE Mosese Manu, senior RB Jaylen Warren, junior CB Jarrod Green, junior QB Jason Shelley and sophomore WR Justin McGriff all made their first-career starts. Against San Diego State, senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole made his first-career start. Against Nevada, senior WR Derek Wright, sophomore DL Hale Motu'apuaka and freshman OL Falepule Alo all made their first-career start. And against Fresno State, junior CB Xavion Steele, sophomore DL James Hansen, sophomore TE Bryce Mortenson, sophomore S Dominic Tatum and freshman CB Jakob Robinson all made their first-career start.
 
UTAH STATE HAS HAD 23 PLAYERS MAKE THEIR AGGIE DEBUT THIS FALL
• Utah State has had 23 players make their Aggie debut during the first four weeks of the 2020 season. Senior PK Nels Haltom, senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole, senior DL Marcus Moore, junior QB Jason Shelley, junior CB Xavion Steele, sophomore S Patrick Maddox, sophomore RB Pailate Makakona, sophomore WR Justin McGriff, sophomore TE Bryce Mortenson, freshman RB John Gentry, freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee, freshman TE Broc Lane, freshman RB Elelyon Noa, freshman CB Jakob Robinson and freshman K Joey Rouly all saw their first action against Boise State. Junior S Jared Reed, sophomore DL James Hansen and freshman OL Falepule Alo all made their Aggie debut against San Diego State. Freshman ILB Kina Maile, freshman OLB Izzy Vaifo'ou and freshman DL Poukesi Vakauta all made their Aggie debut against Nevada. And, freshman S Luke Marion and freshman S Breaker Mendenhall both made their Aggie debut against Fresno State.
 
LOOKING AT UTAH STATE
• Utah State is 0-4 on the season and in Mountain West play following its 35-16 home loss to Fresno State two weekends ago. Offensively, USU is led by senior RB Jaylen Warren, who has rushed for 252 yards on 39 carries (6.5 ypc/84.0 ypg) with three touchdowns. And, sophomore WR Justin McGriff leads the team in receiving with 10 receptions for 80 yards (8.0 ypr/20.0 ypg) and one touchdown. Defensively, sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh leads the team with 33 tackles, which includes 2.5 tackles for loss, while senior S Shaq Bond has 30 tackles, which includes 3.0 tackles for loss. As a team, USU is averaging 11.2 points and 242.8 yards of total offense (130.5 rushing, 112.2 passing), and allowing 37.2 points and 525.8 yards of total offense (204.5 rushing, 321.2 passing).
 
AGGIES RANK AMONG THE TOP 50 TEAMS IN THE NATION IN 13 CATEGORIES
• Despite being 0-4 on the season, Utah State ranks among the top-50 teams in the nation in 13 different statistical categories. In all, USU leads the Mountain West and is sixth in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (36.0 ypg), is first in the MW and seventh in the nation in fewest penalties per game (4.25), second in the MW and 13th in the nation in punt return defense (1.00 ypr), second in the MW and 24th in the nation in blocked kicks with one, third in the MW and 10th in the nation in kickoff returns (27.8 ypr), third in the MW and 40th in the nation in net punting (40.1 ypp), fourth in the MW and 36th in the nation in kickoff return defense (18.8 ypr), fourth in the MW and 50th in the nation in tackles for loss allowed (5.75 pg), sixth in the MW and 35th in the nation in sacks with 11 (2.75 pg), sixth in the MW and 35th in the nation in fumbles lost with three, seventh in the MW and 32nd in the nation in passes intercepted with three, eighth in the MW and 37th in the nation in tackles for loss with 28 (7.0 pg), and ninth in the MW and 34th in the nation in turnovers lost with six (3 interceptions, 3 fumbles).  
 
UTAH STATE SEVENTH IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN SACKS ALLOWED
• Utah State is seventh in the Mountain West and 92nd in the nation in sacks allowed with 11 (2.75 pg), seventh in the MW and 94th in the nation in rushing offense (130.5 ypg), 11th in the MW in passing offense (112.3 ypg), 12th in the MW in completion percentage (.491), 12th in the MW in scoring offense (11.3 ppg), 12th in the MW in total offense (242.8 ypg) and 12th in the MW in passing efficiency (82.2).   
 
UTAH STATE 35TH IN THE NATION IN SACKS
• Utah State is sixth in the Mountain West and 35th in the nation in sacks with 11 (2.75 pg), eighth in the MW and 37th in the nation in tackles for loss with 28 (7.0 pg), ninth in the MW in rushing defense (204.5 ypg), 11th in the MW in passing efficiency defense (166.6), 11th in the MW in scoring defense (37.3 ppg), 11th in the MW in passing defense (321.3 ypg) and 12th in the MW in total defense (525.8 ypg).
 
UTAH STATE SIXTH IN THE NATION IN FEWEST PENALTY YARDS PER GAME
• Utah State is first in the Mountain West and sixth in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (36.0 ypg), and first in the MW and seventh in the nation in fewest penalties per game (4.25). In fact, USU hasn't had more than six penalties in a game in its last six outings dating back to 2019.
 
UTAH STATE 10TH IN THE NATION IN KICKOFF RETURNS
• Utah State is third in the Mountain West and 10th in the nation in kickoff returns (27.8 ypr), third in the MW and 40th in the nation in net punting (39.1 ypr), fourth in the MW and 36th in the nation in kickoff return defense (18.2 ypr), and 11th in the MW in punt returns (1.0 ypp). 
 
AGGIES FORCE FIRST TWO TURNOVERS OF THE SEASON AGAINST FRESNO STATE
• Utah State forced its first two turnovers of the season two weekends ago against Fresno State with an interception and fumble. Overall, USU has forced three or more turnovers in 26 of its last 80 games and has scored 24 defensive touchdowns in its last 89 games. Last year, USU forced 24 turnovers (13 fumbles, 11 interceptions) to rank second in the Mountain West and 15th in the nation. USU also ranked first in the MW and fifth nationally with its 13 fumble recoveries (1.0 pg), and fifth in the MW and 46th in the nation with its 11 interceptions.
 
• Since the 2014 season, Utah State has forced 149 turnovers, which is the second-most in the Mountain West behind San Diego State (160).
 
AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS
• Senior WR Savon Scarver is first in the Mountain West and sixth in the nation in kickoff returns (32.3 ypr), second in the MW and fourth in the nation in kickoff returns for touchdown with one (0.25 pg), and 12th in the MW and 98th in the nation in all-purpose yards (102.3 ypg). Senior RB Jaylen Warren is first in the MW and 17th in the nation in rushing yards per carry (6.5 ypc), fourth in the MW and 47th in the nation in rushing (84.0 ypg), and fifth in the MW in rushing touchdowns with three (1.0 pg). Senior S Shaq Bond is first in the MW in passes defended with four (1.0 pg) and eighth in the MW in tackles (7.5 pg). Senior DL Jake Pitcher is fourth in the MW and 49th in the nation in fumbles recovered with one (0.25 pg). Freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee is fifth in the MW and 67th in the nation in punting (40.3 ypg). Sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh is seventh in the MW and 73rd in the nation in tackles (8.2 pg), and 10th in the MW in fumbles forced with one (0.25 pg). Senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer is 16th in the MW in tackles (6.8 pg). And, senior OLB Nick Heninger is 10th in the MW in forced fumbles with one (0.25 pg), and 46th in the MW in tackles (5.0 pg).