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AGGIES HOST MOUNTAIN WEST-FOE FRESNO STATE IN HOMECOMING GAME
Game will be televised live on Fox Sports 2 on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
 
FRESNO STATE (2-1, 2-1 MW) vs. UTAH STATE (0-3, 0-3 MW)
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 • 12:30 p.m. (MT) • Logan, Utah • Maverik Stadium (25,100)
 
GAME 4 INFORMATION
TV: FOX SPORTS 2
• Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald
• Analyst: Evan Moore
• Xfinity (Utah): Ch. 264/HD722
• DirecTV: Ch. 618
• DISH: Ch. 149
 
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)
• 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 has been 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 is 36-23 (.610) all-time in the Mountain West, including a 20-9 (.690) home record, and has won 47 of its last 70 (.671) league games dating back to 2011. In fact, USU is 15-7 (.682) in its last 22 MW games and 18-11 (.621) in its last 29 games against all opponents.
 
• Utah State is 8-2 in its last 10 Mountain West home games and is 39-12 (.765) in its last 51 home games overall. All-time, Utah State is 151-108 (.583) in Maverik Stadium.
 
• Utah State is 18-6 (.750) against teams from the West Division of the Mountain West, which is the second-best record by any school in the league behind Boise State (20-5). Overall, USU has won nine of its last 11 games against MW West Division opponents, including a 3-1 record against Fresno State.
 
• Utah State (36-24) has the third-best record against Mountain West opponents (including championship games) since USU joined the league in 2013. Boise State (51-11) has the best record in the league during that time, while San Diego State (45-16) has the second-best record and Fresno State (34-29) has the fourth-best record.
 
• Dating back to the 2017 season, Utah State is 10-5 following a loss, including a 1-0 record under Maile.
 
• 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 45 freshmen and 23 sophomores on its 2020 roster, to go along with 11 juniors and 25 seniors.
 
UTAH STATE MAKES CHANGE IN HEAD COACHING POSITION
• Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell announced Saturday, Nov. 7, that Gary Andersen is no longer the head football coach, effective immediately, and assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator Frank Maile will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Andersen, who was in his second stint as the Aggies' head coach, ranks fifth all-time in school history with his 33 wins, while his .500 winning percentage (33-33) ranks as the eighth-best all-time in school history. Andersen was one of just two head coaches to lead the Aggies to three-plus bowl games.
 
• Initially hired on Dec. 4, 2008, Andersen led the Aggies to a 26-24 record from 2009-12, including the 2012 WAC Championship. Andersen was then rehired on Dec. 9, 2018, and was the first of 27 head coaches to serve in the role twice.
 
UTAH STATE HOSTS FRESNO STATE IN HOMECOMING GAME
• Utah State (0-3, 0-3 MW) hosts Mountain West-foe Fresno State (2-1, 2-1 MW) in its annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 12:30 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 2 (Xfinity Ch. 264/HD722, DirecTV Ch. 618, DISH Ch. 149) with Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Evan Moore (analyst) on the call. Live audio of the game is available on www.UtahStateAggies.com. USU is 558-551-31 (.502) in its 123rd season of Aggie football.
 
• USU is 55-32-2 (.629) all-time in Homecoming games, including a 2-3 record against FS.
 
• Utah State is 28-14 (.667) in its last 42 games played during the month of November and is 8-7-1 all-time in known games played on Nov. 14.
 
SLOW START NOT THE NORM FOR UTAH STATE
• Utah State's 0-3 start to the 2020 season is its first since 2008. The last time USU began Mountain West play with an 0-3 record was during the 2016 season, which was the only year USU has had a losing record in MW play.
 
UTAH STATE HAS HAD 11 FIRST-TIME STARTERS THIS SEASON
• Utah State has had 11 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. And against Nevada, senior WR Derek Wright, sophomore DL Hale Motu'apuaka and freshman OL Falepule Alo all made their first-career start.
 
UTAH STATE HAS HAD 21 PLAYERS MAKE THEIR AGGIE DEBUT THIS FALL
• Utah State has had 21 players make their Aggie debut during the first three 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. And, freshman ILB Kina Maile, freshman OLB Izzy Vaifo'ou and freshman DL Poukesi Vakauta all made their Aggie debut against Nevada.
 
UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 34 of its last 40 games when it has a 100-yard rusher and 38 of its last 43 contests when rushing at least 40 times in a game. USU has also won 54 of its last 59 games when scoring at least 30 points.
 
AGGIES RETURN SIX PLAYERS THAT STARTED EVERY GAME IN 2019
• Utah State returns six players that started every game last season in senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua, senior S Shaq Bond, senior S Troy Lefeged Jr., senior LB Kevin Meitzenheimer, sophomore OL Karter Shaw and senior DL Justus Te'i.
 
SEVEN FORMER AGGIE PLAYERS ON STAFF
• Utah State interim head coach Frank Maile has six former USU players on his coaching staff in outside linebackers coach Bojay Filimoeatu, strength and conditioning graduate assistant Al Lapuaho, director of player personnel Keegan Andersen, offensive graduate assistants Austin Stephens and D.J. Tialavea, and defensive graduate assistant Jumanne Robertson. Maile also played at USU from 2004-07.
 
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's defense posted season highs in both sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (10.0) in its last game at Nevada.
 
SCOUTING FRESNO STATE
• Fresno State is 2-1 on the season and 2-1 in Mountain West play following its 40-27 conference road win at UNLV last weekend. The Bulldogs are led by junior QB Jake Haener, who is 54-of-86 (.628) passing for 764 yards (254.7 ypg) with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Senior RB Ronnie Rivers leads the team in rushing with 307 yards on 60 carries (5.1 ypc/102.3 ypg) with six touchdowns, and senior WR Keric Wheatfall has caught 13 passes for 225 yards (17.3 ypr/75.0 ypg). Defensively, redshirt freshman DB Bralyn Lux has a team-best 23 tackles, which includes 1.0 tackles for loss, while sophomore S Evan Williams has 20 tackles. As a team, Fresno State is averaging 32.3 points and 442.7 yards of total offense per game (293.7 passing, 149.0 rushing) and allowing 26.0 points and 442.0 yards of total offense (204.0 passing, 238.0 rushing). Fresno State returns 14 starters (O-8, D-6) and 37 lettermen (O-18, D-16, S-3) from last year's team that finished the season with a 4-8 record and tied for fourth place in the West Division of the Mountain West with a 2-6 league mark. Kalen DeBoer is in his first season as a collegiate head coach with the Bulldogs.
 
AGGIES AND BULLDOGS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State is 13-17-1 all-time against Fresno State, which includes a 9-4 home record. USU has won three straight games in the series, which is its longest winning streak against FS since winning five-straight from 1955 to 1981. Prior to USU's current three-game winning streak, FS won six-straight games in the series. Last year, the Aggies posted a 37-35 road win. USU also posted a 38-20 home win the last time the two teams played one another in Logan in 2016. Fresno State's last win in the series was a 24-17 victory in the inaugural Mountain West Championship game in 2013. The first game played between the two teams was on Oct. 18, 1952, in Fresno, with the Bulldogs winning 27-21.
 
AGGIES vs. BULLDOGS SERIES 10TH-MOST PLAYED IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State and Fresno State will be meeting for the 32nd time this weekend, which is the 10th-most played series in USU history.
 
UTAH STATE VERSUS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
• Utah State is 62-72-2 (.463) all-time against teams from California, including a 41-26 (.612) home record. Overall, USU is 21-7 versus Pacific, 18-20-1 against San José State, 13-17-1 versus Fresno State, 8-6 against Cal State Fullerton, 2-13 versus San Diego State, 1-0 against Cal State Northridge, 0-6 versus USC, and 0-1 against Stanford, St. Vincent's and UCLA.
 
CURRENT AGGIES FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
• Utah State has 26 players in its program from the state of California, which is the second-most on the team behind the 35 players from the state of Utah. Those players from the Golden State currently in USU's program include senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua (San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro HS), sophomore CB Michael Anyanwu (Covina, Calif./Charter Oak HS), senior P Christopher Bartolic (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona Del Mar HS/Orange Coast CC), redshirt freshman QB Josh Calvin (Bellflower, Calif./Mayfair HS), senior WR Sean Carter (Westlake Village, Calif./Westlake HS/Fullerton JC), redshirt freshman TE Jack Drews (Ramona, Calif./Ramona HS), junior OL Alfred Edwards (Redlands, Calif./Redlands Senior HS), senior DL Ritisoni Fata (Redlands, Calif./East Valley HS), freshman LS Jacob Garcia (Anaheim, Calif./Servite HS), junior CB Andre Grayson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Etiwanda HS), junior CB Jarrod Green (Elk Grove, Calif./Cosumnes Oaks HS), freshman WR Quinton Hadnot (San Marcos, Calif./Mission Hills HS), sophomore DL James Hansen (Fontana, Calif./Kaiser HS/Riverside CC), redshirt freshman S Keith Harris (Lawndale, Calif./Leuzinger HS), sophomore OL Andy Koch (Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt HS), senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer (Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley HS), senior DL Marcus Moore (Pasadena, Calif./Crespi HS/UCLA), senior WR Jordan Nathan (Monrovia, Calif./Monrovia HS), freshman RB Elelyon Noa (La Mesa, Calif./Helix HS), sophomore WR Tim Patrick Jr. (San Diego, Calif./Morse HS), redshirt freshman DL Dean Rice (Yuba City, Calif./River Valley HS), freshman PK Joey Rouly (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon HS), junior CB Xavion Steele (Hemet, Calif./Orange Lutheran HS/Fullerton JC), sophomore S Dominic Tatum (Culver City, Calif./Culver City HS), senior DL Justus Te'i (Oceanside, Calif./Mission Hills HS) and redshirt freshman LS Jesse Vasquez (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Oaks Christian School).
 
COACHING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND FRESNO STATE
• Utah State running backs coach Dave Schramm spent four seasons (2012-15) as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Fresno State. Schramm and Fresno State cornerbacks coach J.D. Williams were on staff together at Utah in 2009. Fresno State secondary coach Julius Brown spent three seasons at Utah State as its cornerbacks coach. Former Utah State head coach Phil Krueger (1973-75), who recorded a 21-12 record with the Aggies, was also the head coach at Fresno State (1964-65), producing a 10-10 record. Former Utah State DT (1977-78) and assistant coach (1982-84) Mike Waufle was an assistant coach at Fresno State under Jim Sweeney.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 35 players in its program from the Beehive State, while Fresno State has 94 players on its roster from the Golden State.
 
• Utah State and Fresno State have spent 30 years as league foes, including eight seasons in the Mountain West as Fresno State joined the league in 2012 and Utah State joined in 2013. Both schools were also members of the Big West Conference from 1978 to 2003 and members of the Western Athletic Conference from 2005 to 2011.
 
SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND FRESNO STATE
• Utah State had held Fresno State to 24 points or less in three of its last four meetings. Before that, Fresno State scored at least 30 points in five straight games.
 
• Utah State has scored at least 37 points in its last three meetings with Fresno State. Prior to that, USU was held under 30 points in each of its previous 22 games with the Bulldogs.
 
• Five of the last 10 games played in the series has been decided by seven or less points. 
 
• Utah State has held Fresno State to less than 400 yards of total offense in six of the last 11 meetings, while the Bulldogs have held the Aggies to less than 400 yards of total offense in seven of  the last 11 meetings. During the last 12 meetings, USU has had over 500 yards of total offense twice and FS once.
 
• Utah State has rushed for more yards in four of the previous eight meetings, while Fresno State has passed for more yards in nine of the last 12 meetings. Fresno State has also had more total yards in seven of the previous 12 meetings.
 
• Utah State has not committed a turnover in each of the last two games in the series and has had zero turnovers in seven of the last 10 games played against Fresno State.
 
• Utah State has committed just four total turnovers in the last 10 meetings as compared to 14 Bulldog turnovers during that time. There has also been five games (2006, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2019) in the last 10 meetings where neither team committed a turnover. In fact, USU has committed zero or fewer turnovers than Fresno State in each of the past 10 meetings.
 
• Fresno State has controlled the time of possession in nine of the previous 12 meetings and is 6-3 in those games.
 
• The team that leads at the half has won each of the last four games in the series and the team that scores first has won three of the last four. In the past 12 meetings, USU has scored first eight times, but is just 3-5 in those games. USU has also led at the half seven times in the last 12 meetings, but is just 4-3 in those games.
 
•  Fresno State has had two 300-yard passers, five 100-yard receivers and seven 100-yard rushers in the past 14 meetings, while Utah State has had five 100-yard rushers, three 100-yard receivers and one 300-yard passer.
 
• In 31 previous meetings with Fresno State, Utah State has had 10 100-yard rushers, six 100-yard receivers and four 300-yard passers.
 
• There has only been two shutouts in series history, both by Utah State, with a 14-0 road win in 1980 and a 20-0 home win in 1981.
 
PLAYER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND FRESNO STATE
• There are nine connections between Utah State and Fresno State players. USU senior TE Mosese Manu attended Mt. San Antonio JC in Walnut, Calif., as did FS senior RB Zion Echols. USU junior CB Xavion Steele attended Orange Luthern HS in Orange, Calif., as did FS redshirt freshman DB Reggie Strong. USU senior DL Marcus Moore began his collegiate career at UCLA, as did FS senior OL Alex Akingbulu. USU sophomore CB Michael Anyanwu attended Charter Oak HS in Covina, Calif., as did Echols. USU sophomore RB Cooper Jones began his collegiate career at Butte (Mont.) CC, as did FS senior TE Juan Rodriguez and sophomore DL Dario Pizzuti. USU sophomore OL Andy Koch attended Eleanor Roosevelt HS in Eastvale, Calif., as did FS junior LB Richard Cage. USU sophomore CB Dominic Tatum attended Culver City (Calif.) HS, as did FS sophomore WR Jamal Glaspie. And, USU redshirt freshman QB Josh Calvin attended Mayfair HS is Bellflower, Calif., as did FS freshman WR Jordan Brown.
 
FROM THE RECORD BOOKS
Here is a look at some of the top Utah State team and individual statistical performances against Fresno State over the years.
 
• Rick Parros' 252 rushing yards against Fresno State in 1978 are the fifth-most all-time in school history.
 
• Jack Hill's 90-yard kickoff return against Fresno State in 1955 is tied for the 18th-longest in school history.
 
• Marvin Jackson's 88-yard run against Fresno State in 1980 is tied for the fifth-longest in school history, while Richard Gwynn's 80-yard run in 1984 is tied for the 12th-longest.
 
• Peter Caldwell's 50-yard field goal against Fresno State in 2010 is tied for the 23rd-longest in USU history.
 
• Roger Fernandez had a school-record nine kickoff returns against Fresno State in 2001.
 
• Jordan Love's 388 passing yards against Fresno State in 2019 are the 19th-most in school history and the most-ever by an Aggie quarterback against the Bulldogs.
 
• Brett Stevens' 340 passing yards against Fresno State in 1985 are the second-most in school history by a freshman.
 
• Utah State had a school-record 10 kickoff returns against Fresno State in 2001.
 
• Utah State's 388 passing yards against Fresno State in 2019 are the 23rd-most in school history.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State forced four turnovers and recovered an on-side kick in an attempt to win the inaugural Mountain West Football Championship game, but fell at 24th-ranked Fresno State, 24-17, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, snapping its five-game winning streak.
 
UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 163-185-8 (.469) 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 13-17-1 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.
 
LAST MEETING vs. FRESNO STATE
FRESNO, Calif. - Senior PK Dominik Eberle kicked three field goals, including the game-winner from 30 yards out as time expired, to lift Utah State to a thrilling 37-35 victory over Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.
               
It marked the first time since 1998 that Utah State kicked a field goal to win the game. That year, Brad Bohn kicked a 30-yarder with five seconds left as the Aggies edged North Texas, 28-27.
               
Eberle also connected on field goals of 39 and 25 yards, respectively, as Utah State (5-4, 4-1 Mountain West) scored the final six points of the game. With his trifecta against the Bulldogs (4-5, 2-3 MW), Eberle tied the conference record for most career field goals made at 57.
               
Down 35-34, Utah State drove to the Fresno State 2-yard line, where the Aggies were stuffed on four consecutive running plays and turned the ball over on downs with 5:19 to go.
               
However, the defense got the ball back for Utah State when the Aggies forced Fresno State to go three-and-out. Utah State took over on its own 47-yard line with 3:05 left and all the momentum on its side.
               
Junior QB Jordan Love drove the Aggies to the Fresno State 10-yard line. Two plays later, Eberle connected on the game-winner following a perfect snap and hold from junior LS Brandon Pada and redshirt senior H Aaron Dalton, respectively.
               
Love, who grew up less than two hours away from Bulldog Stadium, passed for 388 yards and two touchdowns – both to senior graduate transfer WR Siaosi Mariner – as Utah State snapped a two-game losing streak.
               
Mariner led all receivers in the game with 11 catches for 103 yards, while senior graduate transfer TE Caleb Repp added five receptions for 75 yards. Senior RB Gerold Bright rushed for 79 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. Junior RB Jaylen Warren also had a touchdown run of his own as he carried the ball 12 times for 30 yards.
               
Junior S Troy Lefeged Jr. and fellow junior S Shaq Bond had seven and six tackles, respectively, for the Aggies.
               
Fresno State QB Jorge Reyna was 16-of-20 passing for 263 yards. Running back Ronnie Rivers led all rushers with 17 carries for 102 yards and three touchdowns.
               
Utah State took its first lead just before the end of the first half when Mariner caught his second touchdown pass of the night, an 8-yarder from Love on third-and-goal, to make it 21-14. Junior WR Jordan Nathan helped set the score up when he hauled in a 36-yard pass from Love in traffic down the middle. Mariner also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Love with 7:59 to go in the second quarter to square the game up at 14-apiece.
               
Utah State's other touchdown of the first half came courtesy of Bright's 21-yard run to tie the game at 7-all late in the first quarter.
               
Rivers accounted for both of the Bulldogs' touchdowns during the first 30 minutes of play, one on a 10-yard run and the other from 2 yards out.                          The Aggies opened their largest lead of the night at 28-14 after taking the second-half kickoff and marching 60 yards on eight plays, capped by Warren's 6-yard touchdown run.
               
Eberle's first field goal of the night gave the Aggies a 31-21 lead with 5:16 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs moved back in front following touchdown runs by Rivers and Jalen Cropper, making it 35-31 with 14:11 remaining in the fourth.
 
LAST HOME MEETING vs. FRESNO STATE
LOGAN, Utah - Junior QB Kent Myers passed for 188 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers as Utah State won its first Mountain West game of the season with a 38-20 victory against Fresno State on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium.
               
Myers was 17-of-29 passing and threw touchdown passes of 21, 5 and 25 yards, respectively, to junior WR Braelon Roberts, senior TE Wyatt Houston and sophomore WR Ron'quavion Tarver. It is the first time this season and fifth time in his career Myers has thrown at least three touchdown passes in a game.
               
Houston led the Aggies (3-4, 1-3 MW), who snapped a three-game losing streak, with a career-high five catches for 43 yards. His 5-yard touchdown reception with 11:50 left in the third quarter gave the Aggies a 24-14 lead. Just 35 seconds into the fourth, Tarver pulled down a 25-yard touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone to make it 31-17.
               
While senior RB Devante Mays returned from injury and played briefly, it was junior RB Tonny Lindsey Jr. that led Utah State's rushing attack with a career-high 23 carries for 90 yards. Myers added 66 yards on just eight carries.
               
Junior QB Damion Hobbs capped the Aggies' scoring output with a 4-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
               
The Aggies finished with 392 yards of total offense, including 204 on the ground and 188 through the air. Defensively, senior S Devin Centers and senior LB Leki Uasike had 10 tackles apiece for Utah State. Uasike had eight of his tackles in the first quarter alone. Sophomore LB Chase Christiansen added a career-high nine tackles, while redshirt freshman CB Cameron Haney recorded a career-high eight tackles to go along with a career-best two pass breakups.
               
Fresno State (1-7, 0-4) recorded 319 yards of offense. Quarterback Chason Virgil was 27-of-44 for 205 yards and a touchdown, while RB Dontel James rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries.
               
Kody Kroening kicked a 27- and 49-yard field goal for Fresno State, which lost for the fifth-straight time.
               
Utah State opened the scoring when Roberts caught his first career touchdown pass, a 21-yarder from Myers with 10:23 left in the first quarter. Fresno State followed suit with a 15-play, 86-yard drive that resulted in a 3-yard touchdown run by James to tie the game at 7-apiece.
               
The Aggies went back in front for good thanks to a nice special teams play. Senior CB Jentz Painter came in untouched from the left side and blocked a punt, which was recovered by fellow senior CB Austin Cheney in the end zone for a touchdown to give Utah State a 14-7 lead with 6:22 remaining in the first half. Painter forced the Bulldogs to punt one play earlier as he sacked Virgil on a third-and-12 play.
               
A career-long 43-yard field goal by senior PK Brock Warren made it 17-7 for the Aggies with 3:45 to go. However, the Bulldogs went into the halftime break with momentum as Jared Rice caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Virgil to pull Fresno State within three.
 
GAME 3 RECAP vs. NEVADA
RENO, Nev. - Utah State scored the first nine points of the game, but it was all Nevada after that as the Wolf Pack beat the Aggies 34-9 on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Mackay Stadium.
 
Sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh got Utah State (0-3, 0-3 Mountain West) on the board with 11:12 left in the first quarter when he sacked Nevada QB Carson Strong in the end zone for a safety. Vongphachanh finished the game with a career high 17 tackles, which included 1.0 sacks, for his first-ever double-digit tackle outing.
               
Six minutes later, the Aggies made it 9-0 on a 4-yard touchdown pass from junior QB Jason Shelley to sophomore WR Justin McGriff as USU drove 61 yards in eight plays. Shelley finished the night 15-of-27 passing for 96 yards and the one touchdown. Junior WR Deven Thompkins led Utah State with a career-high-tying six catches for 30 yards, while McGriff finished with two receptions for 24 yards.
               
Strong was 36-of-52 passing for 411 yards and three touchdowns for the Wolf Pack (3-0, 3-0 MW). His favorite target on the night was Romeo Doubs, who hauled in seven catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Nevada RB Toa Taua led the team in rushing as he carried the ball 12 times for 107 yards with one touchdown.
               
Nevada rolled up 542 yards of total offense, while holding Utah State to just 210 as the Aggies had 109 yards rushing and 101 yards passing. The Wolf Pack also had a 36:44 to 23:16 advantage in time of possession and recorded 27 first downs in the game as compared to just 11 for USU. Utah State held Nevada to just 6-of-16 on third downs, but the Wolf Pack converted 4-of-5 fourth down attempts. USU was just 3-of-15 on third downs in the game. Neither team committed a turnover in the contest.
               
Shelley led the Aggies' ground attack as he carried the ball seven times for 34 yards, while senior RB Jaylen Warren gained 27 yards on seven carries.
               
Senior S Shaq Bond also recorded double-digit tackles for the Aggies as he had 10 stops, including a team-best and career high 2.0 tackles for loss. Junior CB Zahodri Jackson, sophomore CB Cam Lampkin and junior S Jared Reed all recorded career highs in tackles with seven, six and five, respectively. Aggies that had sacks in the game along with Vongphachanh included senior OLB Nick Heninger, who also forced a fumble, senior DL Marcus Moore and junior S Jared Reed.
               
Overall, the Aggies recorded season highs in tackles for loss (10.0) and sacks (4.0).
               
Utah State had three players make their first-career start against Nevada in senior WR Derek Wright, sophomore DL Hale Motu'apuaka and freshman OL Falepule Alo. Three more Aggies played in their first-career game for USU in freshman ILB Kina Maile, freshmen OLB Izzy Vaifo'ou and fellow freshman DL Poukesi Vakauta.
               
Freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee punted a career-high 10 times for an average of 42.5 yards. He had a long of 52 and had a career high five punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
               
For the fifth-straight game dating back to last season, Utah State had five or fewer penalties as the Aggies were whistled five times for 52 penalty yards against the Wolf Pack.
               
Nevada improved to 19-7 all-time against the Aggies, including 10-2 at home.
 
VONGPHACHANH HAS CAREER GAME AGAINST NEVADA
• Sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh had a career game in his last outing at Nevada as he posted his first-ever double-digit tackle game with a career-high 17 stops, which included a career-high 1.0 sacks that resulted in his first-ever safety. Vongphachanh entered the game with 24 career tackles, including 1.0 career sacks, in nine previous games as an Aggie.
 
• Those 17 tackles for Vongphachanh are tied for the most in a single game in the Mountain West this season and tied for ninth nationally. 
 
BOND POSTS BACK-TO-BACK DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLE OUTINGS
• Senior S Shaq Bond has posted double-digit tackle outings in back-to-back games for the first time in his career the last two weekends. Two weeks ago against San Diego State, Bond tied his career high with 12 tackles, which included 1.0 tackles for loss, to go along with a career-high-tying two pass breakups. And last weekend against Nevada, Bond had 10 tackles, which included a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss. For his career, Bond now has three double-digit tackle games.
 
JACKSON PLAYING WELL FOR AGGIES
• Junior CB Zahodri Jackson recorded a then-career-high six tackles against Boise State during the season opener and followed that up with a career-best two pass breakups against San Diego State two weekends ago. And last weekend against Nevada, Jackson notched another career high with seven stops against the Wolf Pack.
 
SHELLEY THROWS SECOND TOUCHDOWN PASS IN AN AGGIE UNIFORM
• Junior QB Jason Shelley threw his second touchdown pass in an Aggie uniform, and the eighth of his career, on a 4-yard completion to sophomore WR Justin McGriff last weekend against Nevada. His other touchdown strike this year was on a 37-yard completion to junior WR Deven Thompkins against San Diego State.
 
THOMPKINS TIES CAREER HIGH IN RECEPTIONS IN NEVADA GAME
• Junior WR Deven Thompkins tied his career high with six receptions for 30 yards last weekend against Nevada. Two weekends ago, Thompkins also had six receptions for 55 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown, against San Diego State. Overall, it was his fifth-career touchdown reception and the seventh touchdown of his career.
 
OTHER INDIVIDUAL NOTABLES FROM NEVADA GAME
• Sophomore WR Justin McGriff caught his first-career touchdown pass in the first quarter on a 4-yard reception. Sophomore CB Cam Lampkin had a career-high six tackles, which included 1.0 tackles for loss, the first of his career. Junior S Jared Reed had a season-high five tackles, including his first-career sack. Senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer had 1.5 tackles for loss to give him 3.0 tackles for loss on the season and 7.5 in his career. Senior OLB Nick Heninger forced his first fumble of the season and the second of his career. He also had 1.0 sacks to give him 7.0 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in his career. Senior DL Marcus Moore had his first sack as an Aggie to give him 2.0 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss in his career. Sophomore OLB Elijah Shelton had 0.5 tackles for loss to give him 1.5 tackles for loss in his career. And, senior S Troy Lefeged Jr. had his first pass breakup this season and the fifth of his career.
 
KOTSANLEE PUNTING WELL FOR THE AGGIES
• Freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee has been punting well for Utah State this fall and had his best and busiest game as an Aggie last weekend against Nevada as he punted a career-high 10 times for an average of 42.5 yards per punt with a long of 52 yards, which was his second 50-yard punt of the season. He also had a career-high five of those punts downed inside the 20-yard line to give him nine punts downed inside the 20 on the season.
 
• Those 10 punts for Kotsanlee against Nevada are the most in a single game in the Mountain West this year and tied for the second most nationally.  
 
MOTU'APUAKA BLOCKS FIELD GOAL IN SAN DIEGO STATE GAME
• Sophomore DL Hale Motu'apuaka blocked his first-career kick two weekends ago against San Diego State on a 33-yard field goal attempt. For Utah State, it is the first time it has blocked a field goal since Sept. 22, 2018, when Tipa Galeai blocked a 40-yard field goal against Air Force.
 
WARREN SHINES IN FIRST-CAREER START
• Senior RB Jaylen Warren had one of his best games, statistically, in Utah State's season-opener at Boise State three weekends ago. Warren, making his first-career start, rushed for 89 yards on a career-high 23 carries and tied his career high with two rushing touchdowns. He also had two rushing touchdowns against Stony Brook last season. Those 89 yards rushing are the third-most in his career, behind the back-to-back 100-yard games he had to start the 2019 season. It was also the seventh time in his career that he has had double-digit carries. Warren's longest run against the Broncos was for 22 yards, giving him six rushes of at least 20 yards 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.
 
LOOKING AT UTAH STATE
• Utah State is 0-3 on the season and in Mountain West play following its 34-9 road loss at Nevada last weekend. Offensively, USU is led by junior QB Jason Shelley, who is 42-of-75 (.560) passing for 276 yards (92.0 ypg) with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Senior RB Jaylen Warren leads the team in rushing with 116 yards on 30 carries (3.9 ypc/58.0 ypg) with two touchdowns, and junior WR Deven Thompkins has a team-best 17 receptions for 122 yards (7.2 ypr/40.7 ypg) and one touchdown. Defensively, senior S Shaq Bond leads the team with 23 tackles, which includes 3.0 tackles for loss, while sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh has 19 tackles, which includes 2.0 sacks. As a team, USU is averaging 9.7 points and 209.3 yards of total offense (107.7 rushing, 101.7 passing), and allowing 38.0 points and 520.7 yards of total offense (233.0 rushing, 287.7 passing).
 
AGGIES RANK AMONG THE TOP 50 TEAMS IN THE NATION IN 13 CATEGORIES
• Despite being 0-3 on the season, Utah State ranks among the top-50 teams in the nation in 13 different statistical categories. In all, USU is second in the Mountain West and seventh in the nation in fewest penalties per game (3.7), second in the MW and 10th in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (34.7 ypg), third in the MW and 15th in the nation in fumbles lost with one, first in the MW and 20th in the nation in blocked kicks with one, third in the MW and 22nd in the nation in tackles for loss allowed with 13 (4.33 pg), second in the MW and 31st in the nation in punt return defense (2.20 ypr), seventh in the MW and 32nd in the nation in turnovers lost with four (3 interceptions, 1 fumble), fifth in the MW and 33rd in the nation in tackles for loss with 21 (7.0 pg), sixth in the MW and 37th in the nation in kickoff returns (22.2 ypr), third in the MW and 38th in the nation in sacks allowed with five (1.67 pg), fourth in the MW and 39th in the nation in sacks with eight (2.67 pg), third in the MW and 49th in the nation in kickoff return defense (19.2 ypr), and 12th in the MW and 49th in the nation in first downs allowed (19.2 pg).  
 
UTAH STATE 38TH IN THE NATION IN SACKS ALLOWED
• Utah State is third in the Mountain West and 38th in the nation in sacks allowed with five (1.7 pg), 11th in the MW in rushing offense (107.7 ypg), 11th in the MW in completion percentage (.522), 11th in the MW in passing offense (101.7 ypg), 12th in the MW in scoring offense (9.7 ppg), 12th in the MW in total offense (209.3 ypg) and 12th in the MW in passing efficiency (80.7). 
 
• Utah State's offense is also eighth in the Mountain West and 97th in the nation in third downs with a conversion percentage of 33.3 (17-of-51), and sixth in the MW and 52nd in the nation in fourth downs with a conversion percentage of 760.0 (3-of-5).
 
• Utah State has scored touchdowns on all three of its red zone opportunities this season. 
 
UTAH STATE 33RD IN THE NATION IN TACKLES FOR LOSS
• Utah State is fifth in the MW and 33rd in the nation in tackles for loss with 21 (7.0 pg), fourth in the MW and 39th in the nation in sacks with eight (2.7 pg), ninth in the MW and 96th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (155.7), 10th in the MW in passing defense (287.7 ypg), 10th in the MW in rushing defense (233.0 ypg), 11th in the MW in scoring defense (38.0 ppg) and 11th in the MW in total defense (520.7 ypg).
 
UTAH STATE SEVENTH IN THE NATION IN FEWEST PENALTIES PER GAME
• Utah State is second in the Mountain West and seventh in the nation in fewest penalties per game (3.7), and second in the MW and 10th in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (34.7 ypg).
 
UTAH STATE 37TH IN THE NATION IN KICKOFF RETURN DEFENSE
• Utah State is sixth in the Mountain West and 37th in the nation in kickoff return defense (19.2 ypr), third in the MW and 49th in the nation in kickoff returns (22.2 ypr), sixth in the MW and 59th in the nation in net punting (39.1 ypr), and 11th in the MW in punt returns (1.0 ypp). 
 
AGGIES 15TH IN THE NATION IN TURNOVERS FORCED IN 2019
• Utah State has not forced a turnover through three games this season, but forced 24 turnovers (13 fumbles, 11 interceptions) last year 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. Overall, USU has forced three or more turnovers in 26 of its last 79 games and has scored 24 defensive touchdowns in its last 88 games.
 
• Since the 2014 season, Utah State has forced 147 turnovers, which is the second-most in the Mountain West behind San Diego State (156).
 
AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS
• Senior RB Jaylen Warren is eighth in the Mountain West in rushing (58.0 ypg). Senior S Shaq Bond is sixth in the MW and 59th in the nation in tackles (8.7 pg), and eight in the MW in passes defended with two (0.7 pg). Senior OLB Nick Heninger is sixth in the MW and 51st in the nation in forced fumbles with one (0.3 pg). Freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee is sixth in the MW and 65th in the nation in punting (39.6 ypg). Junior WR Deven Thompkins is seventh in the MW and 58th in the nation in receptions (5.7 pg), and ninth in the MW and 50th in the nation in kickoff returns (19.5 ypr). Sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh is eighth in the MW and 85th in the nation in tackles (8.0 pg), and 10th in the MW and 77th in the nation in sacks with two (0.67 pg). Junior CB Zahodri Jackson is eighth in the MW in passes defended with two (0.7 pg) and 37th in the MW in tackles (5.3 pg). Junior QB Jason Shelley is ninth in the MW and 88th in the nation in completions (14.0 pg), ninth in the MW and 89th in the nation in completion percentage (.560), 10th in the MW in passing efficiency (90.4) and 11th in the MW in passing (92.0 ypg). Senior ILB Cash Gilliam is 18th in the MW in tackles (6.7 pg). And, senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer is 24th in the MW in tackles (6.3 pg).
 
SCARVER SETS SCHOOL RECORD WITH FIFTH-CAREER KICKOFF RETURN FOR TD
• Senior WR Savon Scarver returned his fifth-career kickoff for a touchdown against Nevada on Oct. 19, 2019, to set the school record that was held by Kevin Robinson (2004-07), who returned four kickoffs for touchdowns during his career. Scarver, who has three-career 100-yard kickoff returns, also had a kickoff return for touchdown against Colorado State last season.
 
• Scarver's five kickoff returns for touchdown are tied for the second-most in Mountain West history with New Mexico's Carlos Wiggins (2012-15). The MW record is seven kickoff returns for touchdown set by San Diego State's Rashaad Penny (2014-17). Furthermore, Scarver's two kickoff returns for touchdown last season are tied for the fourth-most in a single season in MW history as the record is three held by Penny (2015), Wiggins (2013) and Hawaii's Mike Edwards III (2012).
 
• The NCAA record for kickoff returns for touchdowns in a career is seven set by four players, while Scarver's five kickoff returns for touchdowns is tied for the ninth-most in NCAA history.
 
• Scarver's 100-yard kickoff return against Nevada and Colorado State last season is tied for the third-longest in school history and marks the 22nd and 23rd time in Mountain West history that a kickoff has been returned 100 yards.
 
• Of his five career kickoff returns for touchdowns, three have been from 100 yards, while the others were from 99 and 96 yards, respectively.
 
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 five 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), senior DL Marcus Moore (UCLA) and junior QB Jason Shelley (Utah). USU has three more players on its roster that began their careers at Power 5 programs as senior ILB Cash Gilliam and senior DL Jaylin Bannerman both began their collegiate careers 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.