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Maile Press Conference 

AGGIES CONCLUDE 2020 SEASON AT COLORADO STATE SATURDAY NIGHT
Game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m.
 
UTAH STATE (1-5, 1-5 MW) vs. COLORADO STATE (1-3, 1-3 MW)
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 • 7:30 p.m. (MT) • Fort Collins, Colo. • Canvas Stadium (36,500)
 
GAME 8 INFORMATION
TV: CBS SPORTS NETWORK
• Play-by-Play: Chris Lewis
• Analyst: Sed Bonner
• Xfinity (Utah): Ch. 269/753HD
• DISH: Ch. 158
• DirecTV: Ch. 221
 
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
 
KICKOFF COVERAGE
• According to College Football Focus, Utah State has the fourth-most efficient special teams units in the nation (80.5), trailing Boise State (91.7), Kansas State (84.9) and Iowa (81.6). USU ranks second in the Mountain West and 13th in the nation with two blocked kicks (1 field goal, 1 punt), second in the MW and 13th in the nation in punt return defense (1.4 ypr), second in the MW and 18th in the nation in kickoff return defense (17.4 ypr), third in the MW and 32nd in the nation in net punting (40.4 ypp), and fifth in the MW and 21st in the nation in kickoff returns (24.5 ypr). USU also  has one kickoff return for a touchdown on the year.
 
• Utah State's Savon Scarver returned his sixth-career kickoff for a touchdown against Fresno State on Nov. 14, 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 37-26 (.587) all-time in the Mountain West, including a 16-14 (.533) road record, and has won 48 of its last 73 (.658) league games dating back to 2011. In fact, USU is 16-9 (.640) in its last 25 MW games and 19-13 (.594) in its last 32 games against all opponents.
 
• Utah State is 10-8 (.556) in its last 18 road games, including a 9-5 (.643) Mountain West record. In its last 18 road games, USU has scored at least 30 points nine times and has had at least 500 yards of total offense six times.
 
• Utah State (37-26) 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 (46-18) has the second-best record. Colorado State ranks fifth overall with a 32-29 record.
 
• Utah State is the seventh-youngest team in the nation as 69.4 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 21 seniors.
 
• Through six games this season, Utah State has had 23 players make their first-career start, which ranks as the fifth-most in the nation, to go along with 28 players who have made their Aggie debut.
 
UTAH STATE FOOTBALL HAS FACED A LOT OF ADVERSITY IN NOVEMBER
• Utah State's football program has had to deal with more adversity than most during the 2020 season, and it is not due to COVID-19. On Nov. 7, Frank Maile was named the Aggies' interim head coach after USU Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell announced the dismissal of Gary Andersen. Then, on Nov. 15, starting junior QB Jason Shelley was dismissed from the team for violation of team rules. Utah State then had its top wide receiver in junior Deven Thompkins, its top running back in senior Jaylen Warren, its starting safety in senior Troy Lefeged Jr., and senior inside linebacker Cash Gilliam all opt out for the remainder of the season and enter the transfer portal.
 
• 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 CONCLUDES SEASON AT COLORADO STATE SATURDAY NIGHT
• Utah State (1-5, 1-5 MW) concludes its 2020 season this weekend with a Mountain West road game at Colorado State (1-3, 1-3 MW) on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network (Xfinity Ch. 269/753HD), DISH Ch. 158, DirecTV Ch. 221) with Chris Lewis (play-by-play) and Sed Bonner (analyst) on the call. Live audio is available on www.UtahStateAggies.com. USU is 559-552-31 (.502) in its 123rd season of Aggie football.
 
• Utah State is 9-9 (.500) all-time in known regular season games played in December and this will be its first known game played on Dec. 12.
 
UTAH STATE NOTCHES FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON AGAINST NEW MEXICO
• Utah State picked up its first win of the 2020 season two weeks ago with a 41-27 Mountain West home win against New Mexico.
 
• Offensively, USU had season highs in points (41), first downs (22), rushing yards (209), passing yards (243), total offense (452) and yards per play (7.5) against the Lobos. In fact, its 41 points are its most since its 62-7 home win against Stony Brook in 2019, while its 28 points in the third quarter are its most in any quarter since it scored 28 second-quarter points against San José State during the 2018 season. And finally, its 35 second-half points are its most since scoring 37 second-half points against Weber State in 2011.
 
• Defensively, USU allowed season lows in points (27), passing yards (152), total offense (348) and yards per play (4.6), and tied for the fewest first downs allowed in a game (25). USU also tied its season high with four sacks and had a season-high six pass breakups, while its 8.0 tackles for loss were its second-most in a game this year.
 
UTAH STATE RALLIES FROM HALFTIME DEFICIT FOR FIRST WIN SINCE 2015
• Despite trailing New Mexico 13-6 at halftime, Utah State posted its first win when trailing at the half since 2015, when it came back from a 21-7 halftime deficit against Nevada at home to post the 31-27 win. Overall, USU had lost 22 straight games when trailing at the half prior to its come-from-behind win against New Mexico on Thanksgiving.
 
UTAH STATE HAS HAD 23 FIRST-TIME STARTERS THIS SEASON
• Utah State has had 23 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. 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. Against New Mexico, junior S Jared Reed, sophomore CB Michael Anyanwu and sophomore QB Andrew Peasley all made their first-career start. And against Air Force, redshirt freshman LB Kaleo Neves, freshman S Luke Marion, freshman RB Elelyon Noa and freshman TE Josh Sterzer all made their first-career start.
 
UTAH STATE HAS HAD 28 PLAYERS MAKE THEIR AGGIE DEBUT THIS FALL
• Utah State has had 28 players make their Aggie debut this 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. Freshman S Luke Marion and freshman S Breaker Mendenhall both made their Aggie debut against Fresno State. Freshman WR Quinton Hadnot, freshman TE Josh Sterzer and freshman WR Kyle Van Leeuwen all made their Aggie debut against New Mexico. And, sophomore RB Cooper Jones and redshirt freshman DL Aaron Bredsguard both made their Aggie debut against Air Force.
 
SCOUTING COLORADO STATE
• Colorado State is 1-3 on the season and in Mountain West play following its 29-17 road loss at San Diego State last weekend. CSU is led by senior QB Patrick O'Brien, who is 45-of-80 (.562) passing for 591 yards (147.8 ypg) with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Redshirt sophomore RB A'Jon Vivens leads the team in rushing with 210 yards on 49 carries (4.3 ypc/52.5 ypg) with one touchdown, and junior WR Trey McBride has caught 22 passes for 330 yards (15.0 ypr/82.5 ypg) with four touchdowns. Defensively, junior LB Dequan Jackson has a team-best 40 tackles, which includes 5.5 tackles for loss, while junior LB Cam'ron Carter has 32 tackles, which includes 5.5 tackles for loss. As a team, Colorado State is averaging 22.2 points and 323.5 yards of total offense per game (199.5 passing, 124.0 rushing), and allowing 35.8 points and 358.8 yards of total offense (250.2 passing, 108.5 rushing). Colorado State returns 16 starters (O-8, D-8) and 38 lettermen (O-15, D-19, S-4) from last year's team that went 4-8 overall and 3-5 in Mountain West play to finish fifth in the Mountain Division. The Rams are coached by Steve Addazio, who is 58-58 in his 10th season as a collegiate head coach.
 
AGGIES AND RAMS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State is 35-39-2 all-time against Colorado State, including a 16-19-1 road record. USU has won each of the last two meetings in the series with a 34-24 home win last year and a 29-24 win in Fort Collins in 2018. Overall, USU has won five of the last eight games played in the series. The first-ever game played between the two teams was in 1902 with CSU winning in Logan, 24-5.
 
AGGIES AND RAMS HAVE STORIED HISTORY
• Utah State and Colorado State have spent 54 years as league foes and 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 members of the Mountain States/Skyline Conference from 1938-61. CSU then was a charter member of the Mountain West in 1999, while USU joined the conference in 2013. 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. CSU won team championships in the RMAC in 1915, 1916, 1919, 1920, 1925, 1927, 1933 and 1934, and in the Mountain States Conference in 1955. Overall, the Aggies and Rams faced each other in every season from 1911-79, except in 1912, 1918, 1921, 1943-44 (war), and 1968, even after CSU joined the Western Athletic Conference in 1968. After 1979, the two teams didn't play again until 1994.
 
AGGIES vs. RAMS SERIES THIRD-MOST PLAYED IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State and Colorado State will be meeting for the 77th time in series history this weekend in what is the third-most played rivalry in school history. USU's most played rivalry is Utah (112), followed by Brigham Young (89), Colorado State (76) and Wyoming (70).
 
UTAH STATE VERSUS THE STATE OF COLORADO
• Utah State is a combined 73-79-6 (.481) against teams from the state of Colorado, with a 35-39-2 mark versus Colorado State, a 13-19-3 ledger against Denver, a 6-11-1 record against Colorado, a 7-0 mark versus Western State, a 5-4 record against Colorado Mines, a 3-0 record versus Colorado College, a 1-0 mark versus Regis, and a 3-6 record against Air Force.
 
PLAYER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND COLORADO STATE
• There is one connection between Utah State and Colorado State players as USU sophomore DL James Hansen and CSU sophomore RB Christian Hunter both attended Kaiser HS in Fontana, Calif.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has 35 players in its program from the Beehive State, while Colorado State has 37 players on its roster from The Centennial State.
 
UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 164-187-8 (.466) 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 14-13 record vs. New Mexico, a 13-18-1 record vs. Fresno State, a 10-6 record vs. Hawai`i, a 7-19 record vs. Nevada, a 5-20 record vs. Boise State, a 3-6 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 2020 and has been a Division I-A/Bowl Championship Series football playing school in each of its 123 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.
 
SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND COLORADO STATE
The following are series notables between Utah State and Colorado State dating back to 1994 and encompassing the last 12 meetings.
 
• In the last 12 meetings, Utah State is 5-2 when leading at the half, while Colorado State is 3-0. USU is also 4-2 when scoring first, while CSU is 5-1. USU has scored first in five of the last nine games and led at the half in six of the last nine games.
 
• Utah State has rushed for more yards in six of the last nine meetings and is 4-2 in those games. USU has also had more yards of total offense in five of the last nine games.
 
• The team that has had more first downs has lost six of the last 11 games.
 
• The winning team did not commit a turnover from 2013 to 2017 (five games), and the team that has had fewer turnovers has won seven of the last 11 games.
 
• Colorado State had 506 yards of total offense in 2018 and 509 yards in 2017, marking the only times in the last 12 meetings that either team had 500 yards of total offense.
 
• Neither team has had a 300-yard passer in the last 12 meetings, while CSU has had a 100-yard rusher five times and a 100-yard receiver five times. USU has had a 100-yard rusher seven times and a 100-yard receiver twice in the last 12 meetings.
 
• Utah State has never had a 300-yard passer against Colorado State.
 
• Utah State has had a 100-yard rusher in eight of the last 11 games played in the series, with the only exceptions being in the 2014, 2017 and 2018 meetings.
 
• Utah State has had 13 100-yard rushers and nine 100-yard receivers all-time against Colorado State, the fourth- and sixth-most against any opponent in school history, respectively.
 
• The winning team has scored at least 30 points in eight of the last 12 meetings, while there have been 29 games where the winning team has scored less than 20 points. There has also been 24 shutouts in series history, 15 by USU's defense and nine by CSU's defense.
 
CURRENT AGGIES VERSUS COLORADO STATE
• The following is a look at what current Utah State players have done against Colorado State in at least two games played. Senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua has 3.0 knockdowns in three games. Senior WR Jordan Nathan has four catches for 49 yards (12.3 ypc) and one punt return for one yard in three games. Senior WR Savon Scarver has one reception for eight yards and five kickoff returns for 126 yards (25.2 ypr), including a long of 51 in 2018, in three games. Senior DL Justus Te'i has nine tackles and one quarterback hurry in three games. Senior TE Carson Terrell has one catch for 16 yards in three games. Senior S Shaq Bond has 19 tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup in two games. Senior WR Taylor Compton has one catch for 10 yards in two games. Senior DL Ritizoni Fata has two tackles in two games. Senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer has 10 tackles in two games. Junior OL Alfred Edwards has 1.0 knockdowns in two games. And, junior CB Andre Grayson has five tackles in two games.
 
FROM THE RECORD BOOKS
Here is a look at some of the top Utah State individual and team statistical performances against Colorado State over the years.
 
• Savon Scarver had a 100-yard kickoff return against Colorado State in 2019, which is tied for the third-longest in school history.
 
• Aaron Wade returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown in 2018, which is tied for the fifth-longest all-time in school history.
 
• Louie Giammona rushed for 242 yards against CSU in 1975, which is tied for the eighth-most all-time in school history.
 
• Kerwynn Williams rushed for 205 yards against CSU in 2012, which is tied for the 24th-most all-time in school history.
 
• Fred Allen had an 82-yard rush against CSU in 1975, which is tied for the 10th-longest in school history.
 
• Roy Shivers hit Dave Clark on an 89-yard pass against CSU in 1965, which is tied for the fourth-longest pass play in school history.
 
• Earsell Mackbee hit Grant Martinsen on an 81-yard pass against CSU in 1964, which is tied for the 15th-longest pass play in school history.
 
• Rick Parros had a 94-yard kickoff return against CSU in 1978, which is tied for the 14th-longest in school history.
 
• Micah Knorr made a 54-yard field goal against CSU in 1994, which is tied for the sixth-longest in school history.
 
• Steve Steinke made a 52-yard field goal against CSU in 1979, which is tied for the 10th-longest in school history.
 
• Utah State limited Colorado State to 90 yards of total offense (seventh-fewest in school history) in 1961 in a 49-3 win in Fort Collins, while rushing for 389 yards, the most in series history by a USU team and 12th-most in school history.
 
• Utah State held Colorado State to 115 yards of total offense in 1960, tied for the 14th-fewest in school history.
 
• Utah State held Colorado State to a school-record one passing yard in 1976.
 
• Utah State held Colorado State to a school-record zero completions and three pass attempts in 1949.
 
• Utah State held Colorado State to 15 passing yards in 1961 and 18 passing yards in 1963, the fifth- and eighth-fewest in school history, respectively.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State has one player on its roster from Colorado in redshirt freshman OL Logan Wood (Grand Junction/Fruita Monument HS). 
 
LAST MEETING vs. COLORADO STATE
LOGAN, Utah - Senior RB Gerold Bright rushed for 179 yards on 36 carries, both career highs, and Utah State overcame four turnovers in a 34-24 Mountain West home win against Colorado State on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019.
               
Bright finished with 198 all-purpose yards as he also caught two passes for 19 yards in the cold and rain. Utah State (3-1, 2-0 Mountain West) finished with 444 yards of total offense, including 240 on the ground.
               
Defensively, the Aggies limited the Rams (1-4, 0-1 MW) to 296 yards of total offense, including just 70 yards on the ground from Marvin Kinsey Jr., who racked up 246 yards rushing a week ago against Toledo.
               
Junior LB David Woodward recorded up a game-high 14 tackles for Utah State. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one of them, which he returned for an 8-yard touchdown to essentially seal CSU's fate.
               
Junior S Troy Lefeged Jr. added a career-best 11 tackles, including 1.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss, which were also career highs. Senior DE Tipa Galeai tallied six tackles, a career-best four quarterback hurries and his first-career fumble recovery. Senior CB Cameron Haney had six tackles, as well, a career-high-tying three pass breakups and his first-career forced fumble.
               
The game was delayed before the two teams even kicked off because of lightning.
               
Utah State, which extended its home winning streak to nine, battled back from three separate seven-point deficits in the first half as Colorado State turned a blocked punt and interception into 14 points.
               
Following a blocked punt, the Rams struck first courtesy of a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 with 7:14 remaining in the opening quarter.
               
Just 13 seconds later, the Aggies answered back with a 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown by junior WR Savon Scarver. It was Scarver's fourth-career kickoff return for touchdown, which tied the school record previously set by Kevin Robinson.
               
CSU regained the lead early in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown by Kinsey, but again, the Aggies answered right back – less than two minutes later.
               
Junior QB Jordan Love, who was 17-of-33 passing for 204 yards and two touchdowns, connected with sophomore WR Deven Thompkins from 37 yards out to knot the game at 14-apiece.
               
On Utah State's next possession, CSU returned an interception 44 yards for the score to give them a 21-14 lead.
               
Following a 42-yard field goal by senior PK Dominik Eberle, the Aggies took their first lead of the night on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Love to senior graduate transfer TE Caleb Repp. The Aggies went into the break with momentum and a 24-21 lead.
               
Utah State opened the second half with the ball, but Love's second interception led to a 45-yard field goal that pulled the Rams even at 24-all.
               
The Aggies regained the lead for good with 2:57 to go in the third quarter on a 48-yard field goal by Eberle. Utah State sealed it with Woodward's fumble return for touchdown with 9:32 to go in the game, giving the Aggies their final margin of victory.
 
LAST ROAD MEETING vs. COLORADO STATE
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Senior WR Aaren Vaughns caught the go-ahead touchdown with 43 seconds to play and No. 14 Utah State (10-1, 7-0 MW) survived a wild finish to post a 29-24 win at Colorado State (3-8, 2-5 MW) on a snowy and cold afternoon at Canvas Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.
               
After Vaughns hauled in sophomore QB Jordan Love's 33-yard touchdown pass, the Rams took over on their own 25. Quarterback Collin Hill, aided by a personal foul call on USU, moved CSU down to the USU 30 with 15 seconds to go. Following a sack by USU senior DE Adewale Adeoye, the Rams had one play left to try pull off the miracle – and they did.
 
Almost. On third-and-five from the Aggies' 34, Hill threw a Hail Mary to the right corner of the end zone, where Preston Williams answered the prayer for a 30-29 upset victory. CSU's celebration was short-lived, though. The touchdown was negated by penalty, allowing the Aggies to win their school-record 10th consecutive game. Utah State's 10-1 start to the season is the best in school history and its unblemished 7-0 record in the Mountain West is the best start the Aggies have ever had in league play.
               
Williams was flagged for illegal touching after it was determined he had stepped out of bounds and was the first to touch the ball when he came back in bounds.
               
Senior S Jontrell Rocquemore was one of two Aggies to return an interception for a touchdown as his 32-yard pick six gave the visitors a 20-10 lead with 2:37 left in the third quarter. Senior S Aaron Wade returned an interception 95 yards for a score early in the second quarter, which is tied for the fifth-longest in school history.
               
Vaughns' touchdown was the lone offensive score for Utah State, which finished with just 310 total yards (169 passing, 141 rushing) and possessed the ball just 17:55 of the game.
               
Love was 15-of-24 passing for 169 yards, while junior RB Gerold Bright rushed for 89 yards on 13 carries. Senior WR Ron'quavion Tarver caught six passes for 69 yards.
               
Hill was 24-of-37 passing for 296 yards and two touchdowns – both to Williams. The Rams' Olabisi Johnson led all receivers in the game with seven catches for 107 yards. The 506 total yards gained by Colorado State are the most allowed by USU this season.
               
Utah State sophomore LB David Woodward racked up a game- and career-high 20 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. It was the most tackles by an Aggie since the 2015 campaign.
               
Utah State scored the first 10 points of the game as junior PK Dominik Eberle kicked a 23-yard field goal, followed by Wade's pick-six. Eberle accounted for 11 total points as he also kicked field goals of 26 and 37 yards, respectively, and made both of his extra points.
               
After Wade's touchdown, CSU answered with a five-play, 80-yard drive to pull within 10-7 with 9:51 left in the second quarter.
               
After the Rams forced the Aggies to punt to start the second half, they marched 61 yards in 13 plays to tie the game at 10-all courtesy of a 22-yard field goal.
               
Utah State regained the lead on Eberle's 26-yard field goal with 4:03 left in the third, and the Aggies made it 20-10 less than two minutes later thanks to Rocquemore's pick-six.
               
A successful fake punt set up Williams' first touchdown early in the fourth to cut the deficit to 20-17. Eberle then connected from 37 yards out to make it 23-17 with seven minutes left.
               
With less than three minutes to go and USU looking to get the ball back, the Aggies fumbled a punt and CSU recovered on the visitor's 20. Three plays later, the Rams had their first lead following a 17-yard touchdown pass from Hill to Williams, making it 24-23.
 
GAME 7 RECAP vs. AIR FORCE
LOGAN, Utah - In its final home game of the 2020 season, Utah State scored a touchdown on its opening drive, but could not score again in a 35-7 Mountain West loss to Air Force at Maverik Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
               
Utah State (1-5, 1-5 MW) took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards in 15 plays, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass from sophomore QB Andrew Peasley to senior WR Jordan Nathan. It was the Aggies' longest drive of the year as they took more than eight minutes off of the clock.
               
Peasley, the defending MW Offensive Player of the Week, was 17-of-32 passing for 123 yards and the one touchdown, to go along with a pair of interceptions. He also led the Aggies in rushing with 53 yards on eight carries.
               
Senior WR Derek Wright and sophomore WR Tim Patrick Jr. led Utah State's receiving corps as each caught three passes for 21 yards. Senior WR Taylor Compton and freshman RB Elelyon Noa added three catches apiece for 18 and 15 yards, respectively. Senior TE Carson Terrell added two receptions for a team-best 27 yards and Nathan finished the game with two catches for 15 yards. Noa also carried the ball 10 times for 30 yards.
               
Freshman RB John Gentry led Utah State with 129 all-purpose yards as he returned five kickoffs for 118 yards and added 11 rushing yards on four carries.
               
Utah State finished with 232 yards of total offense (123 passing, 109 rushing). Conversely, Air Force recorded 461 total yards, including 351 on the ground. The Falcons came into the game with a nation-leading rushing average of 336.5 yards per game. USU started the game by converting its first five third downs and finished the game 9-of-14 on third down, as compared to 5-of-10 for Air Force. The Falcons also went 3-of-4 on fourth down and possessed the ball for 34:54.
               
Air Force QB Haazig Daniels completed 7-of-9 passes for 127 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown pass to Ben Peterson that gave the Falcons (3-2, 2-2 Mountain West) the lead for good, 14-7, with 9:32 remaining in the second quarter. Right before intermission, Daniels scored on a 37-yard touchdown run to cap an eight-play, 99-yard drive, giving the Falcons a 21-7 lead at the break.
               
Kadin Remsberg led the Falcons' ground attack with 107 yards and one touchdown on just 11 carries. Brad Roberts added 98 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
               
Defensively, Utah State was led by senior OLB Nick Heninger. The reigning MW Defensive Player of the Week recorded a career-high 14 stops to lead the Aggies, while senior lLB Kevin Meitzenheimer added 10 tackles. For Heninger, it was his first-career double-digit tackle outing, while Meitzenheimer record the third of his career.
               
Senior S Shaq Bond had seven tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, while senior DL Justus Te'i had USU's only sack of the game.
               
Freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee had all three of his punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
               
Utah State had four players make their first-career starts in the game in redshirt freshman OLB Kaleo Neves, freshman S Luke Marion, freshman TE Josh Sterzer and Noa, to give USU 23 first-time starters on the season. Sophomore RB Cooper Jones and redshirt freshman DL Aaron Bredsguard  also made their Aggie debut.
 
HENINGER POSTS FIRST-CAREER DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLE GAME
• Senior OLB Nick Heninger posted his first-career double-digit tackle outing with a career-high 14 stops last week against Air Force.
 
• In his previous outing against New Mexico, Heninger was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week as he tied his career high with eight tackles, which included a career-high-tying 2.0 sacks and a career-high-tying 3.0 tackles for loss, to go along with a career-high two forced fumbles. His second forced fumble was returned for a touchdown by the Aggies. It was his first-career conference honor.
 
MEITZENHEIMER RECORDS THIRD-CAREER DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLE GAME
• Senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer posted his third-career double-digit tackle outing, including his first this season, with 10 stops in his last game against Air Force.
 
PEASLEY THROWS FOURTH TOUCHDOWN PASS OF THE SEASON
• Sophomore QB Andrew Peasley threw his fourth touchdown pass of the season in his last game against Air Force as he connected with senior WR Jordan Nathan on a 4-yard strike. Peasley was 17-of-32 passing in the game, both of which are career highs, for 123 yards.
 
• Heading into the Air Force game, Peasley was the reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week as he had career highs in every passing category, as he was 14-of-21 for 239 yards with three touchdowns, including a career-long completion of 36 yards against New Mexico on Thanksgiving. Peasley entered the game with career passing numbers of 11-of-26 for 53 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. It was his first-career conference honor.
 
• Peasley was also named the College Sports Madness Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week and was one of eight quarterbacks named a Manning Star of the Week.
 
• Peasley also notched his first-career 100-yard rushing game as he carried the ball 11 times for 118 yards against New Mexico (11/26), both career highs, including a career-long 62-yard run for a touchdown. Overall, it was Peasley's second-career rushing touchdown.
 
• Peasley is the first Aggie quarterback to rush for 100 yards in a game since Kent Myers rushed for 191 yards against Colorado State in 2015. In fact, Peasley is just the fifth Aggie quarterback since 1957 to rush for 100 yards in a game, joining Chuckie Keeton (121 yards) against Louisiana Tech in 2012, Diondre Borel (105 yards) against Fresno State in 2009 and Tony Adams (121 yards) against Colorado State in 1972.
 
• Peasley is also the first Aggie quarterback to account for four touchdowns in a game since Jordan Love had five total touchdowns (4 passing, 1 rushing) against North Texas in the 2018 New Mexico Bowl.
 
• And finally, Peasley is the first Aggie quarterback to throw three touchdowns in his first-career start since Kent Myers had three touchdown passes at Hawai'i in his first start in 2014.
 
OFFENSIVE NOTABLES FROM AIR FORCE GAME
• Senior WR Jordan Nathan caught his first touchdown pass this season and the seventh of his career on a 4-yard reception. Freshman RB Elelyon Noa had a career-high 10 carries for a career-best 30 yards. Noa also posted his first receiving stats this season as he caught three passes for 15 yards. Sophomore RB Pailate Makakona had a career-high four carries. Freshman RB John Gentry had a career-high 129 all-purpose yards as he had five kickoff returns for 118 yards, including a long of 29 yards, all of which are career highs. Gentry also had a career-high four carries in the game for 11 yards. Sophomore WR Tim Patrick Jr. posted the first receiving stats of his career as he caught three passes for 21 yards. Senior WR Taylor Compton tied his career high with three receptions for 18 yards.
 
DEFENSIVE NOTABLES FROM AIR FORCE GAME
•  Sophomore DL Hale Motu'apuaka had a career-high four tackles. Sophomore DL James Hansen tied his career high with three tackles. Redshirt freshman OLB Kaleo Neves had a career-high four tackles. Senior S Shaq Bond had 1.0 tackles for loss to give him 6.0 tackles for loss this season and 12.5 in his career. Senior DL Justus Te'i had 1.0 sacks to give him 1.5 sacks this year and 4.5 in his career.
 
TEAM NOTABLES FROM AIR FORCE GAME
•  Utah State's opening touchdown drive against Air Force that took 8:04 off the clock was its longest this season and lognest since it had an 8:20 drive against BYU in 2014. The drive against AFA went 65 yards in 15 plays, and those 15 plays are the second-most by USU this year.
 
COLES NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
• Junior PK Connor Coles was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance against New Mexico on Thanksgiving, as he was 2-of-2 on field goals and 5-of-5 on extra points as he tallied a career-high 11 points. Against the Lobos, he made field goals from 27 and a career-long 44 yards out. It is his first-career conference honor.
 
BOND POSTS FOURTH-CAREER DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLE GAME
• Senior S Shaq Bond posted his third double-digit tackle outing of the season and the fourth of his career with 10 stops, which included a career-high-tying 2.0 tackles for loss, two games ago against New Mexico on Thanksgiving.
 
MAILE SCORES TOUCHDOWN AND BLOCKS A PUNT IN SAME GAME
• Freshman ILB Kina Maile had a breakout performance in the first extended playing time of his career two weekends ago against New Mexico (11/26), as he blocked a punt and returned a fumble 16 yards for his first-career touchdown. Maile finished the game with a career-high six tackles. Maile, who played 71 snaps in the game against the Lobos, played a total of six snaps in his previous two appearances against Nevada and Fresno State this year.
 
• For Utah State, it was its second blocked kick of the season as sophomore DL Hale Motu'apuaka blocked a 33-yard field goal against San Diego State. It was also USU's first blocked punt since the 2018 season when Jacoby Wildman blocked a punt against North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl.
 
• Maile's defensive touchdown was the first of the season for Utah State and its first since David Woodward returned a fumble eight yards for a touchdown against Colorado State in 2019.
 
SCARVER RETURNS SIXTH-CAREER KICKOFF FOR TOUCHDOWN
• Senior WR Savon Scarver returned his sixth-career kickoff for a touchdown against Fresno State (11/14/20) 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.
 
KOTSANLEE PUNTING WELL FOR THE AGGIES
• Freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee has been punting well for Utah State this fall. Against Fresno State (11/14), 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. Against Nevada (11/5), 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 17 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 sixth most nationally.   
 
UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 35 of its last 42 games when it has a 100-yard rusher, including a 1-1 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 55 of its last 60 games when scoring at least 30 points, including a 1-0 record this year.
 
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 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.
 
LOOKING AT UTAH STATE
• Utah State is 1-5 on the season and in Mountain West play following its 35-7 home loss to Air Force last weekend. Offensively, USU is led by sophomore QB Andrew Peasley, who is 37-of-69 (.536) passing for 391 yards (78.2 ypg) with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Peasley also leads the team in rushing with 195 yards on 22 carries (8.9 ypc/39.0 ypg) and one touchdown. And, sophomore WR Justin McGriff leads the team in receiving with 15 receptions for 185 yards (12.3 ypr/30.8 ypg) and two touchdowns. Defensively, sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh leads the team with 50 tackles, which includes 3.0 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, while senior S Shaq Bond has 47 tackles, which includes 6.0 tackles for loss. As a team, USU is averaging 15.5 points and 275.8 yards of total offense (140.0 rushing, 135.8 passing), and allowing 35.2 points and 485.3 yards of total offense (224.7 rushing, 260.7 passing).
 
AGGIES RANK AMONG THE TOP 50 TEAMS IN THE NATION IN 11 CATEGORIES
• Despite being 1-5 on the season, Utah State ranks among the top-50 teams in the nation in 11 different statistical categories. In all, USU is tied for second in the Mountain West and tied for 35th in the nation with one defensive touchdown, second in the MW and 13th in the nation with two blocked kicks, second in the MW and 17th in the nation in punt return defense (1.4 ypr), second in the MW and 18th in the nation in kickoff return defense (17.4 ypr), third in the MW and 22nd in the nation in tackles for loss allowed with 27 (4.50 pg), third in the MW and 32nd in the nation in net punting (40.4 ypp), fifth in the MW and 21st in the nation in kickoff returns (24.5 ypr), fifth in the MW and 38th in the nation in red zone defense (.792), sixth in the MW and 40th in the nation in fewest penalties per game (5.33), fifth in the MW and 38th in the nation in sacks with 16 (2.67 pg), and seventh in the MW and 44th in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (47.3 ypg).  
 
UTAH STATE SIXTH IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN RUSHING
• Utah State is sixth in the Mountain West and 88th in the nation in rushing offense (140.0 ypg), eighth in the MW and 75th in the nation in sacks allowed with 14 (2.33 pg), 10th in the MW in completion percentage (.524), 11th in the MW in passing offense (135.8 ypg), 12th in the MW in passing efficiency (98.4), 12th in the MW in scoring offense (15.5 ppg) and 12th in the MW in total offense (275.8 ypg).   
 
UTAH STATE 38TH IN THE NATION IN SACKS
• Utah State is fifth in the Mountain West and 38th in the nation in sacks with 16 (2.67 pg), seventh in the MW and 51st in the nation in tackles for loss with 38 (6.3 pg), 10th in the MW in scoring defense (35.2 ppg), 10th in the MW in rushing defense (224.7 ypg), 11th in the MW and 97th in the nation in passing defense (260.7 ypg), 11th in the MW in passing efficiency defense (158.1) and 12th in the MW in total defense (485.3 ypg).
 
UTAH STATE 18TH IN THE NATION IN KICKOFF RETURN DEFENSE
• Utah State is second in the Mountain West and 18th in the nation in kickoff return defense (17.4 ypr), third in the MW and 32nd in the nation in net punting (40.4 ypr), fifth in the MW and 21st in the nation in kickoff returns (24.5 ypr), and 11th in the MW and 95th in the nation in punt returns (4.4 ypp).
 
UTAH STATE 40TH IN THE NATION IN FEWEST PENALTIES PER GAME
• Utah State is sixth in the Mountain West and 40th in the nation in fewest penalties per game (5.33), and seventh in the MW and 44th in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (47.3 ypg). 
 
AGGIES HAVE FORCED FOUR TURNOVERS THIS SEASON
• After not forcing a turnover in each of its first three games, Utah State has forced four turnovers (2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries) in its last three games with two turnovers each against Fresno State (11/14) and New Mexico (11/26). Overall, USU has forced three or more turnovers in 26 of its last 82 games and has scored 25 defensive touchdowns in its last 91 games.
 
AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS
• Senior WR Savon Scarver is second in the Mountain West and fourth in the nation in kickoff returns for touchdown with one (0.20 pg). Senior OLB Nick Heninger is second in the MW and fifth in the nation in forced fumbles with three (0.50 pg), ninth in the MW in tackles for loss (1.20 pg), and 16th in the MW in tackles (7.0 pg). Freshman P Stephen Kotsanlee is fifth in the MW and 65th in the nation in punting (40.7 ypg). Senior DL Jake Pitcher is sixth in the MW and 72nd in the nation in fumbles recovered with one (0.17 pg). Freshman ILB Kina Maile is sixth in the MW and 72nd in the nation in fumbles recovered with one (0.17 pg). Sophomore QB Andrew Peasley is sixth in the MW in passing touchdowns with four (0.8 pg), ninth in the MW in passing (78.2 ypg) and ninth in the MW in total offense (117.2 ypg). Sophomore ILB AJ Vongphachanh is seventh in the MW and 67th in the nation in tackles (8.3 pg). Senior S Shaq Bond is ninth in the MW and 97th in the nation in tackles (7.8 pg).  And, senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer is 11th in the MW in tackles (7.4 pg). 
 
AGGIES CURRENTLY IN THE NFL
• Utah State currently has 13 players on NFL rosters and has had 13 players drafted into the NFL in the past 10 years. Former Aggies currently in the NFL include CB Jalen Davis (Cincinnati Bengals), PK Dominik Eberle (Las Vegas Raiders), LB Kyler Fackrell (New York Giants), LB Tipa Galeai (Green Bay Packers), OG Tyler Larsen (Carolina Panthers), CB Nevin Lawson (Las Vegas Raiders), SS Dallin Leavitt (Las Vegas Raiders), QB Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), TE Dax Raymond (Green Bay Packers),LS Patrick Scales (Chicago Bears), RB Darwin Thompson (Kansas City Chiefs), LB Nick Vigil (Los Angeles Chargers) and LB Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks).
 
AGGIES WHO HAVE SERVED LDS CHURCH MISSIONS
• Utah State has 16 players on its 2020 roster who have served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in redshirt freshman OL Josh Bowcut, senior WR Taylor Compton, senior DL Ritisoni Fata, sophomore DL James Hansen, senior OLB Nick Heninger, freshman OL Sage Hill, freshman OLB Mata Hola, senior TE Mosese Manu, sophomore OL Wade Meacham, sophomore TE Bryce Mortenson, freshman WR London Rockwood, freshman TE Josh Sterzer, freshman OLB Izzy Vaifo'ou, redshirt freshman WR Kyle Van Leeuwen, freshman S Crew Wakley and redshirt freshman OL Logan Wood.
 
AGGIES WHO ARE MARRIED
• Utah State has seven players on its 2020 roster who are married in senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua, redshirt freshman DL Josh Bowcut, redshirt freshman DL Aaron Bredsguard, sophomore TE Bryce Mortenson, senior DL Jake Pitcher, freshman S Crew Wakley and senior WR Derek Wright.
 
POSITION CHANGES AND NUMBER CHANGES
• Utah State had a number of players change positions and/or numbers from last season. Senior P Christopher Bartolic changed his jersey from No. 98 to No. 40. Senior WR Sean Carter changed his jersey from No. 19 to No. 80. Senior LS Brandon Pada changed his jersey from No. 57 to No. 44. Senior WR Dererk Wright changed his jersey from No. 83 to No. 18. Sophomore OL Heneli Bloomfield changed his last name from Avendano. Sophomore CB Cam Lampkin changed his jersey from No. 18 to No. 6. Redshirt freshman Josh Bowcut changed positions from defensive line to offensive line. And, redshirt freshman QB Josh Calvin changed his jersey from No. 7 to No. 3. Redshirt freshman WR Kyle Van Leeuwen changed his jersey from No. 84 to No. 19.
 
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 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.