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UTAH STATE FACES SAN DIEGO STATE IN MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP
Game will be televised live on Fox on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. (MT).
 
UTAH STATE (9-3, 6-2 MW) vs. #19 SAN DIEGO STATE (11-1, 7-1 MW) 
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 • 1 p.m. (MT) • Carson, California • Dignity Health Sports Park (27,000)
 
GAME 13 INFORMATION
TV: Fox 
• Play-by-Play: Joe Davis
• Analyst: Brock Huard
• Reporter: Bruce Feldman
• Xfinity (Utah): Ch. 13/HD655
• DirecTV: Ch. 359
• DISH: Ch. 6374
 
RADIO: Aggie Sports Network
• Play-by-Play: Scott Garrard 
• Analyst: Kevin White
• National: XM 389 / SXM App 979
• Online: KSLSports.com/thezone/
 
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 KSLSports 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, Idaho: KZNS (1450 AM/101.7 FM)
• Orangeville: KRPX (95.9 FM)
• Price: KRPX (95.3 FM)
 
KICKOFF COVERAGE
• Utah State won the Mountain Division of the Mountain West via a tie-breaker with Air Force as both teams finished 6-2 in conference play, but the Aggies defeated the Falcons on the road, 49-45. USU was picked to finish fifth in the Mountain Division in the preseason polls. 
• Utah State is appearing in the Mountain West Championship game for the second time in its nine years in the MW, as it lost at No. 24 Fresno State (24-17) in the inaugural championship game in 2013. 
• Utah State's two appearances in the Mountain West Championship are the fourth-most by any team, including the second-most by a Mountain Division school. Boise State has played in five championship games, Fresno State has played in four and San Diego State is appearing in its third this year. Air Force, Hawai'i, San José State and Wyoming have all played in one championship game.
• Utah State is 6-0 on the road for the first time in school history and those six road wins are a school record. In fact, there have only been three teams in school history to not lose or tie a road game (1907 (1-0), 1911 (2-0), 1923 (4-0)). USU is also one of just three teams in the nation to go 6-0 on the road this year (Cincinnati, Houston) and one of eight teams not to lose a road game (Air Force, Cincinnati, Georgia, Houston, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and San Diego State.
• Utah State's nine wins are tied for the fourth-most in school history as it is just the eighth time ever that a USU team has won nine or more games (1960, 1961, 1972, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021). USU has only won 10-plus games in a season three times in school history (2012, 2014, 2018). It is also just the seventh time in school history that USU has won six or more league games.
• Utah State's eight-game improvement is tied with Michigan State (2-5 in '20 to 10-2 in '21) and Northern Illinois (0-6 in '20 to 8-4 in '21), and trailing Michigan (2-4 in '20 to 11-1 in '21) for the second-best turnaround in the nation as the Aggies were 1-5 last season and are 9-3 this year. 
• San Diego State (53-19) and Utah State (43-28) rank No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, for best records against Mountain West opponents (including championship games) since USU joined the league in 2013. Boise State (59-15) has the best record in the league during that time.
 
UTAH STATE PLAYS AT SAN DIEGO STATE FOR MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP
• Utah State (9-3, 6-2 MW) plays at No. 19 San Diego State (11-1, 7-1 MW) in the Mountain West Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. (MT). The game will be televised nationally on Fox (Xfinity Ch. 13/HD655, DirecTV Ch. 359, DISH Ch. 6374) with Joe Davis (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst) and Bruce Feldman (reporter) on the call.
• Utah State received eight votes in this week's Coaches Poll to rank tied for 32nd in the nation. It is the third time this season that USU has received votes in the national polls.
 
UTAH STATE LOOKING FOR 12TH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
• With a victory against San Diego State, Utah State will win its 12 conference championship in school history and first since it won the Western Athletic Conference in 2012. USU also won five Big West Conference titles (1978, 1979, 1993, 1996, 1997), three Skyline Conference titles (1946, 1960, 1961), and two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles (1921, 1936).
 
UTAH STATE vs. ASSOCIATED PRESS RANKED TEAMS
• Utah State is 5-63 all-time against Associated Press-ranked teams, but has won four of its last 13 meetings against top-25 competition, including its 35-20 win at No. 18 BYU in 2014, as the Cougars are the highest-ranked AP team the Aggies have ever defeated. USU's last win against an AP Top 25 team was in 2015 as it posted a 52-26 home win against No. 21 Boise State. In 2013, USU posted a 21-14 win against No. 24 Northern Illinois in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. In 2012, USU posted a 48-41 overtime win at No. 19 Louisiana Tech. And, in 1991, it defeated No. 25 Fresno State at home, 20-19.
• This is the first time that Utah State is playing a nationally-ranked San Diego State team.
• Utah State head coach Blake Anderson is 1-5 all-time versus Associated Press-ranked teams, including an 0-1 record at Utah State, with his lone win coming at No. 25 Troy (35-3) in 2016.
 
SCOUTING UTAH STATE
• Utah State is 9-3 on the season following its 35-10 road win at New Mexico last weekend and went 6-2 in Mountain West play to win the Mountain Division. USU, which has won six of its last seven games, is led by graduate junior QB Logan Bonner, who is 228-of-377 (.605) passing for 3,236 yards (269.7 ypg) with 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Graduate junior RB Calvin Tyler Jr. has rushed for 723 yards on 153 carries (4.7 ypc/72.3 ypg) with five touchdowns. And, senior WR Deven Thompkins has caught 87 passes for 1,543 yards (17.4 ypr/128.6 ypg) and nine touchdowns. Defensively, graduate senior ILB Justin Rice has 105 tackles, which includes 12.0 tackles for loss, to go along with three interceptions and one forced fumble. USU is averaging 32.2 points and 457.2 yards of total offense (152.9 rushing, 304.3 passing) and allowing 26.3 points and 397.3 yards of total offense (163.8 rushing, 233.6 passing).
• Utah State is bowl eligible for the ninth time in the last 11 years after playing in six bowl games in its first 119 years. USU played in five-straight bowls from 2011-15 and won three straight from 2012-14, both of which are school records. All-time, USU has played in 14 bowl games.
• Utah State is one of 29 teams in the nation that has won at least nine games this season, including one of four Mountain West teams. USU is also one of 37 teams in the nation with at least six conference wins, including one of four MW teams.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS IN UTAH STATE'S ROAD GAMES
• Utah State is 6-0 on the road for the first time ever as it rallied from double-digit deficits in each of its first five road wins. It is the first time USU has won six road games in a season. 
• Utah State is averaging 36.8 points and 471.5 yards of total offense (153.0 rushing, 318.5 passing) on the road this season, while converting 45-of-90 (.500) third downs, and has a 61-17 scoring advantage in the final 15 minutes of its six road wins. 
 
ANDERSON ONLY FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH IN THE NATION WITH NINE WINS
• Utah State's Blake Anderson is one of 19 first-year head coaches at the FBS level in 2021 and is the only head coach to have at least nine wins this season. 
• Anderson is one of just two first-year head coaches in school history to win nine games, joining Matt Wells (9 wins in 2013).  
• Anderson was just the third coach in school history, and first since E. Lowell Romney in 1919, to win his first three games at USU. The other was Fred M. Walker, who went 7-0 in 1907.
 
UTAH STATE vs. SAN DIEGO STATE IN MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
• Utah State and San Diego State have met in the championship game of the Mountain West Men's Basketball Tournament in each of the last three years, with USU winning the tournament in 2019 and 2020, and SDSU winning the tournament in 2021. 
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State will be playing on a grass playing field for the first time since posting a 23-17 win against San Diego State at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego on Sept. 21, 2019.
• Utah State has won at least nine games five times in the last 10 years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021) after winning nine or more games just three times (1960, 1961, 1972) in the first 120 years of Aggie football.
• Utah State has also won at least six games five times in the last 10 years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021) after winning six or more league games just once (1936) in the first 120 years of Aggie football.
• Utah State has had seven winning seasons in the last 11 years after having just two winning seasons in its previous 30 years from 1981-2010.
 
AGGIES RALLY FROM DOUBLE-DIGIT DEFICITS FOR SIX WINS
• Utah State has rallied from double-digit deficits to win six of its nine games this season, marking the first time in school history that has happened. In fact, USU overcame a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit in each of its first two road wins this season, and won each of its first five road games after trailing by double digits.
• In its 48-17 road win at San José State (11/13), Utah State overcame a 14-point (14-0) second-quarter deficit and outscored SJSU 48-3 the remainder of the game.
• In its 35-13 road win at New Mexico State (11/6), Utah State overcame a 10-point (10-0) first-quarter deficit and outscored NMSU 35-3 the remainder of the game. 
• In its 28-24 road win at UNLV (10/16), Utah State overcame a 10-point (17-7) first-quarter deficit and scored the winning touchdown with 35 seconds remaining in the game. 
• In its 49-45 road win at Air Force (9/18), Utah State overcame four double-digit deficits to get the win. First, USU trailed 10-0 before taking a 13-10 lead. USU then trailed 24-13 and later 31-20 before taking a 34-31 lead. USU then trailed 45-34 before scoring 15 unanswered points in the final 9:51 for the win.
• In its 48-24 home win against North Dakota (9/10), Utah State outscored the Fighting Hawks 41-3 over the final three quarters after trailing 21-7 in the first 15 minutes of play.
• In its 26-23 season-opening road win at Washington State (9/4), Utah State overcame a 12-point (23-11) fourth-quarter deficit by scoring 15 unanswered points in the final 5:25 of the game.  
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS DURING UTAH STATE'S EIGHT NINE
• Utah State has trailed after the first quarter and at the half in eight of its 12 games this year, and trailed after the third quarter in six of its 12 games. USU is 5-3 on the season when trailing after one quarter and at halftime, and 3-3 when trailing after three quarters.
• Utah State has been outscored 99-62 in the first quarter, but has outscored its opponents 105-56 in the fourth quarter, which includes a 95-33 advantage in its nine wins. 
 
UTAH STATE WINNING THE CLOSE GAMES
• Utah State is 4-0 on the season in one-score games and has won those four contests by a total of 13 points. The school record for one-score wins in a season is five set in 2011, as that team posted a 5-5 record in one-score games.
 
UTAH STATE HAVING SUCCESS ON FOURTH DOWN
• Utah State has converted 14-of-28 (.500) fourth downs and has scored points on all but one of those 14 drives with 10 touchdowns and three field goals. The only drive USU did not score on this season after converting a fourth down was against New Mexico (11/26) as it was on the last drive of the game and USU ran out the clock. Overall, USU is tied for 27th in the nation in fourth-down attempts and tied for 31st in the nation in fourth-down conversions. 
 
UTAH STATE MILESTONES THAT EQUAL SUCCESS
• Utah State has won 37 of its last 46 games when it has a 100-yard rusher, including a 2-2 record this year, 43 of its last 49 games when rushing at least 40 times, including a 5-1 record this year, and 61 of its last 66 games when scoring at least 30 points, including a 6-0 record this season.
 
UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 43-28 (.606) all-time in the Mountain West, including a 20-14 (.588) road mark, which is the third-best record against MW opponents (including championship games) since it joined the league in 2013. Boise State (59-15) has the best record in the league during that time, while San Diego State (53-19) has the second-best record.  
• Utah State is 21-7 (.750) against teams from the West Division of the Mountain West, which is the best record by any school in the league. Overall, USU has won 12 of its last 15 games against MW West Division opponents. Conversely, San Diego State is 23-5 (.821) against teams from the Mountain Division of the MW, which is the second-best record in the league.
 
FOUR AGGIES PUT ON SCHOLARSHIP THIS FALL
• Utah State had four players put on scholarship this fall in senior OL Chandler Dolphin, junior RB Pailate Makakona, sophomore DE Addison Trupp and redshirt freshman LS Jacob Garcia.
 
AGGIES WHO HAVE SERVED LDS CHURCH MISSIONS 
• Utah State has 12 players on its roster who have served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in graduate senior DE Nick Heninger, junior DT James Hansen, junior OL Wade Meacham, sophomore TE Josh Sterzer, sophomore WR Kyle Van Leeuwen, freshman ILB McKay Breshears, freshman DT Johnson Hansen, freshman WR Franky Jacobsen, freshman ILB Sione Moa, freshman TE Jackson Rigby, freshman DT Seni Tuiaki and redshirt freshman S Crew Wakley.
 
AGGIES WHO ARE MARRIED 
• Utah State has seven players on its 2021 roster who are married in graduate senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua, graduate senior DE Nick Heninger, senior WR Derek Wright, sophomore DT Aaron Bredsguard, sophomore TE Josh Sterzer, redshirt freshman OL Cole Motes and redshirt freshman S Crew Wakley.
 
UTAH STATE 16TH IN THE NATION IN TOTAL OFFENSE
• Utah State is averaging 457.1 yards per game to rank second in the Mountain West and 16th in the nation. USU also ranks third in the MW and 15th in the nation in passing offense (304.8 ypg), third in the MW and 27th in the nation in passing efficiency (152.3), third in the MW and 38th in the nation in scoring offense (32.2 ppg), fifth in the MW and 73rd in the nation in rushing offense (152.3 ypg), fifth in the MW and 80th in the nation in completion percentage (.595), and sixth in the MW and 62nd in the nation in sacks allowed with 26 (2.17 pg).    
• Utah State's offense also ranks first in the MW and 24th in the nation in third down conversions at 44.6 percent (87-of-195), second in the MW and 12th in the nation in passing yards per completion (14.29), and second in the MW and 20th in the nation in first downs (23.7 pg).
 
UTAH STATE THIRD IN THE NATION IN TACKLES FOR LOSS
• Utah State is averaging 7.8 tackles for loss per game to lead the Mountain West and rank third in the nation. USU also ranks seventh in the MW and 68th in the nation in scoring defense (26.3 ppg), eighth in the MW and 75th in the nation in passing defense (233.5 ypg), eighth in the MW and 86th in the nation in rushing defense (163.8 ypg), ninth in the MW and 65th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (133.1), ninth in the MW and 81st in the nation in total defense (397.3 ypg), and 10th in the MW and 82nd in the nation in sacks with 23 (1.92 pg).  
• Utah State's defense is also second in the MW and third in the nation in fourth down conversions allowed at 28.6 percent (4-of-14), fourth in the MW and 46th in third down conversions allowed at 37.2 percent (58-of-156), and fifth in the MW and 32nd in the nation with eight fumbles recovered (0.67 pg).
 
UTAH STATE 21ST IN THE NATION IN PUNT RETURN DEFENSE
• Utah State ranks third in the Mountain West and 21st in the nation in punt return defense (3.9 ypr), fourth in the MW and 29th in the nation in net punting (41.2 ypp), fifth in the MW and 42nd in the nation in kickoff returns (22.3 ypr), fifth in the MW and 68th in the nation in punt returns (8.1 ypr), and 10th in the MW in kickoff return defense (23.0 ypr). 
 
UTAH STATE HAS FORCED 19 TURNOVERS ON THE SEASON
• Utah State has forced 19 turnovers this year with 11 interceptions and eight fumbles, and ranks fifth in the Mountain West and 40th in the nation in interceptions (0.9 pg). USU has forced three-or-more turnovers in 28 of its last 94 games and has scored 25 defensive touchdowns in its last 103 games. 
 
AGGIES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST AND NCAA RANKINGS IN 2021
• The following is a look at where current Aggies rank in the Mountain West and in the NCAA in individual categories. Senior WR Deven Thompkins leads the nation in receiving (128.6 ypg). Thompkins is also first in the MW and fourth in the nation in all-purpose yards (150.3 ypg), third in the MW and 11th in the nation in receptions (7.2 pg), fifth in the MW and 33rd in the nation in yards per reception (17.7), and sixth in the MW and 24th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with nine (0.75 pg). Graduate senior DE Nick Heninger is first in the MW and third in the nation in fumbles forced with five (0.42 pg), and third in the MW in tackles for loss (1.29 pg). Senior WR Savon Scarver is first in the MW and 11th in the nation in kickoff returns for touchdown with one (0.08 pg), and third in the MW and 32nd in the nation in kickoff returns (24.2 ypr). Graduate senior WR Brandon Bowling is first in the MW and is 11th in the nation in kickoff returns for touchdown with one (0.08 pg), and seventh in the MW and 50th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with seven (0.58 pg). Graduate junior QB Logan Bonner is first in the MW and 27th in the nation in yards per attempt (8.58), second in the MW and 10th in the nation in passing touchdowns with 32 (2.67 pg), second in the MW and 14th in the nation in yards per completion (14.2), third in the MW and 18th in the nation in passing (270.2 ypg), third in the MW and 20th in the nation in points responsible for (16.2 pg), third in the MW and 30th in the nation in passing efficiency (155.0), fifth in the MW and 31st in the nation in total offense (275.5 ypg), fifth in the MW and 38th in the nation in completions (19.0 pg), and sixth in the MW and 78th in the nation in completion percentage (.603). Senior WR Derek Wright is fourth in the MW and 15th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 10 (0.83 pg), and fourth in the MW and 30th in the nation in yards per reception (17.9). Graduate senior PK Connor Coles is fourth in the MW and 23rd in the nation in field goals made with 18 (1.50 pg), fourth in the MW and 39th in the nation in scoring (8.2 ppg), ninth in the MW and 75th in the nation in field goal percentage (72.0), and 10th in the MW in points responsible for (8.2 pg). Sophomore DT Poukesi Vakauta is fourth in the MW and 19th in the nation in fumbles recovered with two (0.17 pg). Graduate senior ILB Justin Rice is fourth in the MW and 28th in the nation in tackles (8.8 pg), eighth in the MW and 58th in the nation with three interceptions (0.25 pg), and eighth in the MW in tackles for loss (1.00 pg). Graduate senior S Shaq Bond is fourth in the MW and 37th in the nation in interceptions with three (0.28 pg). Junior OLB Ajani Carter is fourth in the MW and 37th in the nation in interceptions with three (0.28 pg). Graduate junior RB Calvin Tyler Jr. is fifth in the MW and 67th in the nation in rushing yards (72.3 ypg), and 10th in the MW in rushing yards per carry (4.73 ypc). Sophomore P Stephen Kotsanlee is sixth in the MW and 45th in the nation in punting (42.9 ypp). Graduate senior WR Jordan Nathan is sixth in the MW in punt returns (8.8 ypr). And, junior WR Justin McGriff is 10th in the MW in receiving touchdowns with five (0.42 pg).      
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State is one of 11 teams with multiple kickoff returns for touchdown this year, along with South Florida (3), Alabama (2), Appalachian State (2), Arkansas State (2), Connecticut (2), Duke (2), Houston (2), Kansas State (2), Marshall (2), North Carolina State (2) and SMU (2). And, USU and Marshall are the only teams in the nation with two players that have returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
 
THOMPKINS SETS SINGLE-SEASON SCHOOL RECORD IN RECEIVING YARDS 
• Senior WR Deven Thompkins set the Utah State single-season school record in receiving yards this past weekend at New Mexico, as he caught five passes for 35 yards to give him 87 receptions for 1,543 yards on the year. The previous school record for receiving yards was 1,531 set by Kevin Curtis in 2001. Curtis also holds the school record for receptions in a season with 100 set in 2001 and Thompkins' 87 receptions this year rank third all-time in school history.
• Thompkins is just the 12th player in school history to post 1,000 receiving yards in a season and the first since Curtis did so in 2002.
 
THOMPKINS LEADS THE NATION IN RECEIVING YARDS 
• Senior WR Deven Thompkins currently leads the nation with 1,543 receiving yards (128.6 ypg) and is fourth in the nation with 1,803 all-purpose yards (150.3 ypg). 
• Thompkins is the only player in the nation this season to have five games with at least 170 receiving yards. Thompkins is also the first player in school history to accomplish this feat as the previous school record was four 170-yard receiving games by Kevin Alexander in 1995.
 
THOMPKINS LEADS THE NATION WITH EIGHT 100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES 
• Senior WR Deven Thompkins has eight 100-yard receiving games this season, which is tied for the most in the nation with Western Kentucky's Jerreth Sterns. In fact, Thompkins had six-straight 100-yard receiving games earlier this year, which is tied with Kevin Curtis (2001) for the longest streak in school history.
• Thompkins' eight 100-yard receiving games this season are the third-most in school history. Nakia Jenkins set the school record with nine 100-yard receiving games in 1996 and Kevin Curtis tied that record in 2001.
•  The Mountain West record for 100-yard receiving games in a season is 11 set by BYU's Austin Collie in 2008.  Thompkins is currently tied for the third-most.  
•  The school record for 100-yard receiving games in a career is 16 set by Kevin Curtis (2001-02). Thompkins is currently tied with Aaron Jones (1997-2000), James Murphy (1978-80) and Mike O'Shea (1966-68) for the fourth-most in school history.
 
THOMPKINS FIFTH IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN RECEIVING YARDS 
• Senior WR Deven Thompkins currently ranks fifth in the Mountain West in receiving yards in a single season with 1,543. San Diego State's J.R. Tolver holds the MW record with 1,785 receiving yards set in 2002, followed by Rashard Higgins (Colorado State) with 1,750 yards in 2014, Davante Adams (Fresno State) with 1,718 yards in 2013, Kasim Osgood (San Diego State) with 1,552 yards in 2002, and Thompkins (Utah State) with 1,543 yards.
 
THOMPKINS RANKS SEVENTH ALL-TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY IN RECEIVING 
• Senior WR Deven Thompkins has caught 156 passes for 2,358 yards in his career to rank fifth all-time in school history in receptions and sixth all-time in receiving yards. The school record for receiving yards is 2,943 set by Kendal Smith (1985-88), while the school record for receptions is 178 set by Kevin Robinson (2004-07). Thompkins is just the 11th player in school history to post 2,000 receiving yards in a career and the first since Robinson in 2007.  
 
THOMPKINS NAMED MW PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOLLOWING NEW MEXICO STATE GAME 
• Senior WR Deven Thompkins had a career game at New Mexico State (11/6) with nine receptions for a career-best 215 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns (26, 54) as he was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season and in his career. 
• Those 215 receiving yards for Thompkins are the most by a Mountain West player this season and the 13th-most in the nation. It is also just the 15th time in school history that an Aggie has had 200 receiving yards in a game as Thompkins' 215 yards is tied with James Murphy (215 vs. Long Beach State, 10/6/79) for the ninth-most in a single game in USU history.
 
THOMPKINS ONE OF 10 SEMIFINALISTS FOR BILETNIKOFF AWARD 
• Senior WR Deven Thompkins was one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which is awarded annually to the outstanding receiver in the nation. Thompkins is just the second player in school history named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, joining Kevin Curtis (2001). The 10 semifinalists were: Jordan Addison (Pittsburgh), David Bell (Purdue), Jahan Dotson (Penn State), Josh Downs (North Carolina), Drake London (USC), Chris Olave (Ohio State), A.T. Perry (Wake Forest), Jerreth Sterns (Western Kentucky), Jameson Williams (Alabama) and Thompkins.
 
WRIGHT TIED FOR SIXTH IN SINGLE SEASON TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS 
• Senior WR Derek Wright has caught 10 touchdown passes this season, which is tied with four other players for the sixth-most in a single season in school history. Fellow senior WR Deven Thompkins has caught nine touchdowns this year, which is tied with two other players for the 11th-most in a single season in school history. Tracy Jenkins holds the school record with 14 touchdown receptions set in 1990. Thompkins has 14 touchdown catches in his career, which is two shy of entering the USU career top 10.
 
BONNER TIES SCHOOL RECORD WITH FIVE TOUCHDOWN PASSES
• Graduate junior QB Logan Bonner was 16-of-23 passing for 306 yards and a career high five touchdown passes last weekend against New Mexico to tie the school record with five other quarterbacks. Chuckie Keeton had five touchdown passes in a game three times (2011, 2013, 2013), Jordan Love did it twice (2018, 2018), Anthony Calvillo did it twice (1992, 1993), Tony Adams did it twice (1972, 1972), and Brent Snyder did it once (1987). Overall, it is the 13th time in school history that Utah State has thrown five touchdown passes in a single game. 
• Bonner is the first quarterback in school history to throw at least four touchdown passes in three-straight games, doing so against Hawai'i (10/30), New Mexico State (11/6) and San José State (11/13). Overall, Bonner has thrown four or more touchdown passes in a game five times this season and eight times in his career. Bonner also has four 300-yard passing games this season and six in his career. 
• In his last five games, Bonner is 99-of-158 (.627) passing for 1,470 yards (294.0 ypg) with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions. In fact, Bonner has thrown multiple touchdowns in each of his last eight games as he has totals of 25 touchdowns and five interceptions over that stretch.
• Bonner has not thrown an interception in his last two-plus games and 87 pass attempts dating back to the San José State (11/13) game.
 
BONNER TIES SINGLE-SEASON SCHOOL RECORD WITH 32 TOUCHDOWN PASSES
• Graduate junior QB Logan Bonner has thrown 32 touchdowns this season, which is tied with Jordan Love (2018) for the most in school history. In fact, those 32 touchdown passes by Bonner are also the 10th most all-time at Utah State.
 
BONNER FIFTH ALL-TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY IN PASSING YARDS
• Graduate junior QB Logan Bonner has thrown for 3,236 yards this season to rank as the fifth-most in a single season in school history. Bonner is now just 331 passing yards shy of tying the school record of 3,567 yards set by Jordan Love in 2018. 
• Overall, Bonner is just the sixth quarterback in school history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season and it is just the eighth time that USU has had a 3,000-yard passer in a single season. 
• On the season, Bonner is 228-of-377 (.605) passing and he ranks ninth in school history in completions and completion percentage. He is also six attempts shy of entering the top 10 in school history in that category, as well.
• Overall, Bonner has 3,304 yards of total offense to rank as the fifth-most at Utah State for a single season. The school record is 3,992 yards of total offense set by Chuckie Keeton in 2012.
• Bonner's completion percentage (.605) ranks as the sixth-best in school history for a career.
 
WRIGHT HAS CAREER GAME AGAINST NEW MEXICO
• Senior WR Derek Wright had his best game as an Aggie last weekend at New Mexico as he caught four passes for a career-high 150 yards for his first-career 100-yard receiving game. Wright also tied his career high with two touchdown receptions from 27 and 76 yards, as that 76-yard reception is a career long. Overall, Wright has caught two touchdown passes in four different games this season and has eight touchdown receptions in his last seven games. 
 
OTHER OFFENSIVE NOTABLES FROM NEW MEXICO GAME
• Graduate senior WR Jordan Nathan caught his first touchdown of the season on a 39-yard reception to give him eight career touchdown receptions. Graduate senior WR Brandon Bowling caught his sixth touchdown of the season on a 36-yard reception to give him 16 career touchdown receptions. Junior WR Justin McGriff caught his fifth touchdown of the season on a 10-yard reception to give him seven touchdown receptions in his career.  
 
ALI'IFUA EXTENDS OWN SCHOOL RECORD FOR GAMES PLAYED
• Graduate senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua played in his 57th career game this past weekend at New Mexico, which extends his own school record. The previous record was 54 career games played that was set by Jordan Nielsen (2012-15).
 
UTAH STATE'S OFFENSE IN THE RECORD BOOKS
• With its five touchdown passes against New Mexico last weekend, Utah State set the school record for touchdown passes in a season with 35. The previous record was 32 touchdown passes set in 2018.
• Utah State's 3,651 passing yards this season are the second-most in school history and just 174 passing yards shy of tying the school record of 3,825 passing yards set in 2018.
• Utah State has had 11 100-yard receiving games this year, which is the second-most in school history. The 1996 team holds the school record for 100-yard receiving games in a season with 13.  
• Utah State has converted 284 first downs this season, which are the fourth-most in school history, and it is just 26 first downs shy of tying the school record of 310 set by the 2013 team.
• Utah State is averaging 457.2 yards of total offense per game, which ranks as the fifth-most in school history. USU is also averaging 304.3 passing yards per game, which ranks as the third-most in school history.
 
HENINGER HAS MONSTER GAME AGAINST NEW MEXICO 
• Utah State graduate senior DE Nick Heninger had one of the best games of his career this past weekend against New Mexico as he had a season-high 10 tackles, which included a career-high-tying 3.0 tackles for loss, to go along with a career-high-tying two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. For Heninger, it was his second-career double-digit tackle outing. 
• Heninger has now forced five fumbles this season and eight in his career, to go along with his sixth career fumble recovery. He now has 15.5 tackles for loss on the season and 34.0 tackles for loss in his career.
 
RICE HAS 15TH CAREER DOUBLE-DIGIT TACKLE OUTING 
• Graduate senior ILB Justin Rice posted his fifth double-digit tackle outing of the season and the 15th of his career last weekend against New Mexico as he had 10 tackles. Rice has now had at least seven tackles in a game eight times this season. Overall, Rice now has 12.0 tackles for loss on the season and 40.5 tackles for loss in his career.
 
RICE 68TH AGGIE ALL-TIME TO RECORD 100 TACKLES IN A SEASON 
• Graduate senior ILB Justin Rice now has 105 tackles on the season and is the 68th player in Utah State history to record 100 or more tackles in a single season.
 
OTHER DEFENSIVE NOTABLES FROM NEW MEXICO GAME 
• Junior DE Byron Vaughns tied his career high with eight tackles, which included 2.0 tackles for loss to give him 8.5 tackles for loss on the season and in his career. Vaughns also had his fifth pass breakup of the season and his career. Graduate junior S Hunter Reynolds had 1.0 tackles for loss to give him 3.5 tackles for loss on the season and 5.5 tackles for loss in his career. Reynolds also recovered his first-career fumble. Graduate senior DT Marcus Moore had 1.0 tackles for loss to give him 9.5 tackles for loss on the season and 17.5 tackles for loss in his career. Graduate senior CB Andre Grayson had 0.5 tackles for loss to give him 3.0 tackles for loss on the season and 5.0 tackles for loss in his career. Senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer had 1.5 tackles for loss to give him 4.5 tackles for loss on the season and 12.5 tackles for loss in his career. Junior DT Hale Motu'apuaka had 1.0 tackles for loss to give him 6.5 tackles for loss on the season and 7.0 tackles for loss in his career. Junior DE Patrick Joyner Jr. had his first-career pass breakup. Senior CB Zahodri Jackson had his third pass breakup of the season and the sixth of his career. Jackson also had 0.5 tackles for loss, which is the first of his career. Junior OLB Ajani Carter had 0.5 tackles for loss to give him 3.0 tackles for loss this season and in his career. Graduate junior DT Phillip Paea had 0.5 tackles for loss to give him 2.0 tackles for loss on the season and in his career. Sophomore DE Addison Trupp had 0.5 tackles for loss, which is the first of his career. 
 
UTAH STATE'S DEFENSE RECORDING LOTS OF TACKLES FOR LOSS 
• Utah State's defense has turned up the pressure in its last five games and has recorded 14.0 sacks and 52.0 tackles for loss during that time as compared to 9.0 sacks and 47.0 tackles for loss in its first seven games. In its last game against New Mexico (11/26), USU had 12.0 tackles for loss. In its previous game against Wyoming (11/20), USU had 6.0 tackles for loss. In its game against San José State (11/13), USU had 2.0 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss. In its game against New Mexico State (11/6), USU posted season highs with 7.0 sacks and 14.0 tackles for loss. And in its game prior to that against Hawai'i (10/30), USU had then-season highs of 5.0 sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss. 
• On the season, Utah State now has 99.0 tackles for loss. The school record is 115.0 tackles for loss set in 1999 and USU is 2.0 tackles for loss shy of tying the 1998 team for the fifth-most in school history with 101.0 tackles for loss.
 
UTAH STATE'S DEFENSE PLAYING WELL AS OF LATE 
• Utah State's defense has limited five of its last seven opponents to 360 or fewer yards of offense, including holding two of those opponents to less than 200 yards as San José State (11/13) gained just 150 yards and New Mexico (11/26) gained just 186 yards against USU.
• Utah State's run defense has been equally impressive as of late as it has held three of its last five opponents to under 50 yards rushing as both Hawai'i (10/30) and San José State (11/13) gained 12 yards on 22 carries (0.5 ypc), while New Mexico State (11/6) gained 49 yards on 35 carries (1.4 ypc). USU also held New Mexico (11/26) to 101 rushing yards on 48 carries (2.1 ypc).
 
DID YOU KNOW? 
• Utah State graduate ILB Justin Rice was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week twice this year, while graduate senior S Shaq Bond won the award once. Rice was honored in back-to-back weeks against North Dakota (9/10) and Air Force (9/18), while Bond won the award against UNLV (10/16).
 
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 overtime, 2-2 in double overtime, and 0-1 in triple overtime. 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.
 
SCARVER TIES NCAA RECORD WITH SEVENTH KICKOFF RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN
• Senior WR Savon Scarver tied the NCAA and Mountain West record for kickoff returns for touchdown at UNLV (10/16/21) as he returned the Rebels' first kickoff of the game 100 yards for the score. Scarver is one of five FBS players all-time with seven career kickoff returns for touchdowns, joining Clemson's C.J. Spiller, 2006-09; Houston's Tyron Carrier, 2008-11; San Diego State's Rashaad Penny, 2014-17; and Memphis' Tony Pollard, 2015-18. 
• Of his seven career kickoff returns for touchdowns, four have been from 100 yards, while the others were from 99, 96 and 94 yards, respectively.
• The previous USU record for kickoff returns for touchdown was held by Kevin Robinson (2004-07), who returned four during his career. 
 
SCARVER SETS MOUNTAIN WEST RECORD FOR CAREER KICKOFF RETURN YARDS
• Senior WR Savon Scarver has 2,853 kickoff return yards in his career, breaking the previous Mountain West record of 2,626 yards set by UNLV's Deante' Purvis (2008-11). Scarver also ranks second all-time in MW history with 103 career kickoff returns trailing Purivs, who had 112 returns.
• Scarver ranks second all-time in school history in kickoff return yards behind Kerwynn Williams  (2009-12). Williams currently ranks fourth in NCAA history with 3,408 kickoff return yards and Scarver ranks 20th with 2,853 yards. The NCAA record holder for career kickoff return yards is Minnesota's Troy Stoudermire (2008-12) with 3,615 yards. Scarver also ranks 14th all-time in FBS history in kickoff return average (27.7 ypr). Scarver's 27.7 career average on kickoff returns is also the third-best in school history.
 
COLES IN THE UTAH STATE RECORD BOOKS  
• Graduate senior PK Connor Coles is 18-of-25 (.720) on field goals and 44-of-45 on extra points this season as he has scored a team-best 98 points. Coles currently ranks fifth in school history in both field goals made (18) and attempted (25), sixth in extra point attempts (45), seventh in extra points made (44), and tied for ninth in points scored (98) in a single season.
• For his career, Coles is 21-of-28 (.750) on field goals and ranks fourth all-time in career field goal percentage. Coles is also one made field goal shy of entering the USU top 10 all-time
 
COLES SCORES CAREER HIGH IN POINTS IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES  
• Graduate senior PK Connor Coles has made 10 of his last 12 field goals over his last six games. Against Colorado State (10/22), Coles was one of three players named a Lou Groza Star of the Week as he scored a career-high 14 points as he was a perfect 4-of-4 on field goals (45, 30, 42, 34) and 2-for-2 on extra points. In fact, his field goals made and attempted were both career highs. Against Hawai'i (10/30), Coles was 3-of-3 on field goals (40, 22, 22) and 6-for-6 on extra points for a new career-high of 15 points. Coles then made 2-of-3 field goals and was 6-for-6 on extra points against San José State as he scored 12 points.
• Coles has been named the Mountain West Player of the Week twice in his career. His first honor came after scoring a then-career-high 11 points against New Mexico State (11/26/20). He won it again after scoring 10 points at Washington State (9/3/21) this year.
 
KOTSANLEE RANKS SIXTH ALL-TIME AT UTAH STATE IN PUNTING  
• Sophomore P Stephen Kotsanlee has punted 82 times in his career for an average of 41.9  yards per punt, which is tied with Peter Caldwell (2007-10) for the sixth-best punting average in school history. This season, Kotsanlee has punted 45 times for an average of 42.9 yards per punt, which is tied with Herick Mandel (1986) for the sixth-best single-season punting average.
 
ACADEMICALLY SPEAKING
• Utah State graduate senior DE Nick Heninger was named to the 2020-21 Academic All-America Division I second team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Heninger is just the eighth football player in Utah State history to be named an academic All-American, joining USU legend Merlin Olsen (1961), along with Dennis Ferguson (1970), Gary Anderson (1971), Randy Stockham (1974, 1975), Mike Perko (1981), Steve Neeleman (1991) and McKade Brady (2012).
• Utah State has 19 players on its roster that have already received their bachelor's degree in senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua, senior DE Jaylin Bannerman, senior S Shaq Bond, junior QB Logan Bonner, senior WR Brandon Bowling, senior PK Connor Coles, senior OLB Cash Gilliam, senior CB Andre Grayson, senior DE Nick Heninger, senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole, senior OL Maisen Knight, senior CB Kyle Mayberry, junior S Monte McGary, senior DT Marcus Moore, senior WR Jordan Nathan, junior DT Phillip Paea, junior S Hunter Reynolds, senior ILB Justin Rice and junior RB Calvin Tyler Jr.
• Utah State football has a 91 percent Graduation Success Rate, which ranks first in the Mountain West, and a 2.97 cumulative grade-point average.
• Utah State had 54 football players earn academic all-Mountain West honors in 2020, while 15 players were named MW Scholar-Athletes. 
 
HEAD COACH BLAKE ANDERSON
• Blake Anderson (hired on Dec. 12, 2020) is in his first season as Utah State's head coach and is the 29th head coach in program history. He is 60-40 all-time as a head coach, including a 44-20 conference mark.
• Anderson has 28 years of collegiate coaching experience and has been part of five conference championship teams. He has also coached in 11 bowl games and won a national championship at the junior college level.
• Anderson comes to Utah State after spending the past seven years as the head coach at Arkansas State, leading the Red Wolves to six-consecutive winning seasons and six-straight bowl games from 2014-19, including a 31-13 win against UCF in the 2016 Cure Bowl and a 34-26 win against FIU in the 2019 Camellia Bowl.
• Arkansas State also won back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Championships under Anderson in 2015 and 2016, and competed for another in 2017 in A-State's regular-season finale that was a de facto championship game.
• During that six-year stretch, the Red Wolves broke 12 school records, including 494.8 yards of total offense per game, 4,106 passing yards and 38 touchdown passes in 2017, 520 points scored and 69 total touchdowns in 2015, and 6,174 yards of total offense and 1,024 total plays in 2014.
• Entering the 2020 season, the Red Wolves had won at least seven games, including at least five league games, every year under Anderson, including a nine-victory campaign in 2015 and eight-win seasons in 2016, 2018 and 2019. In all, Anderson posted a 51-37 (.580) record during his seven seasons at Arkansas State, including a 38-18 (.679) mark in the Sun Belt Conference. Those 51 wins, 40 of which were by double digits, are tied for the third-most in school history.
• The Anderson-led Red Wolves were one of just 20 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs in the nation, including six from the Group of Five, to post a winning record six-consecutive seasons from 2014-19. A-State's 51 wins under Anderson were tied for the 41st-most in the country during his seven seasons at the helm, while his 38 league wins are the second-most in Sun Belt history.
• Statistically, Arkansas State annually ranked as one of the top offensive teams in the nation under Anderson. In 2020, the Red Wolves led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 15th nationally in total offense at 489.7 yards per game. ASU also led the Sun Belt in total offense in 2018 (466.2 yards per game), 2017 (494.8 ypg) and 2014 (476.5 ypg), and ranked second in 2015 (438.5 ypg). Furthermore, the 2017 team ranked 10th in the nation in total offense, while the 2018 team was 17th and the 2014 team was 20th nationally.
• As for passing offense, Arkansas State led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked third in the nation in 2020 at 364.4 yards per game. In 2019, the Red Wolves finished second in the conference and 10th in the nation with 312.1 passing yards per game. ASU also led the Sun Belt in passing offense in both 2017 and 2018 with 342.2 and 281.5 passing yards per game, respectively. The 2017 team also ranked fifth nationally in that category, while the 2018 team was 21st in the nation.
• Arkansas State also led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring offense three times under Anderson as the 2017 team averaged 37.8 points per game to rank 13th nationally, while the 2015 team averaged 40.0 points per game to rank 12th in the nation, and the 2014 team averaged 36.7 points per game to rank 18th nationally. In fact, six of Anderson's seven Red Wolves teams averaged over 30 points per game.
• Overall, each of Anderson's first six squads at Arkansas State ranked among the top-45 teams in the nation in at least 23 combined offensive, defensive and special teams categories, including the 2018 team that led the nation in punt return defense (-1.9 yards per return), the 2016 team that led the nation in tackles for loss (9.6 per game) and the 2015 squad that led the nation in both defensive touchdowns (8) and passes intercepted (26).
• Along the way, Anderson saw 11 of his players earn all-Sun Belt recognition in 2014, followed by 16 in 2015, 2016 and 2019, and a school-record 18 in 2017. All six seasons combined, Anderson coached 65 different players to 97 all-conference selections – the most in the league over that span.
• Following the 2019 campaign, Anderson received the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award and was named the Grant Teaff Coach of the Year, presented annually by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as he guided the Red Wolves to an 8-5 record and Camellia Bowl championship after his wife, Wendy, passed away prior to the start of the season following a courageous battle with cancer. 
• A two-year letterwinner at wide receiver for Sam Houston State from 1990-91, Anderson was named Southland Conference all-academic as a senior. He also played for two years as a quarterback and receiver at Baylor (1988-89) before transferring. Anderson graduated with his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Sam Houston State in 1992. He also attained his master's degree in sports administration from Eastern New Mexico in 1994.
 
UTAH STATE HAS MOST DIVERSE COACHING STAFF IN THE NATION
• Utah State is the only staff in the nation that has minority coaches serving in the roles of offensive coordinator (Anthony Tucker), defensive coordinator (Ephraim Banda) and head strength and conditioning coach (Paul Jackson).
 
UTAH STATE HAS THE SECOND-YOUNGEST COACHING STAFF IN THE NATION
• Of Utah State's 10 full-time assistant coaches, four are in their 20s, four are in their 30s and two are in their 40s. The average age of those 10 assistants is 33.7 years, which ranks as the second-youngest staff in the nation behind Old Dominion (32.2).
 
FIVE FORMER AGGIE PLAYERS ON STAFF
• Utah State head coach Blake Anderson has five former Aggies on his staff in running backs coach Chuckie Keeton (2011-15), tight ends coach DJ Tialavea (2010-13), defensive line coach Al Lapuaho (2011-12), and analysts Austin Albrecht (2014-16) and Jumanne Robertson (2011-12). 
 
AGGIES HAVE NEW COORDINATORS FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR IN 2021
• Utah State has new offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators for the fourth straight season this fall. In fact, USU has had a different defensive coordinator in each of its last five seasons and a different special teams coordinator in each of its last seven seasons. 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 nine seasons with David Yost (2017-18) and Kevin McGiven (2013-14).
• Overall, Utah State is the only FBS school to have new coordinators on offense, defense and special teams in each of the past four seasons.
 
DID YOU KNOW? 
• Utah State defensive coordinator and safeties coach Ephraim Banda was named one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation in January of 2021, by Rivals.com.
• Banda is the only hispanic-latino defensive coordinator in the nation at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. Overall, Banda is one of 32 hispanic-latino coaches at the FBS level, with six of those serving other coordinator positions.
 
UTAH STATE ROSTER NOTABLES
• Under the direction of first-year head coach Blake Anderson, who is in his eighth year as a collegiate head coach, Utah State football returns 18 starters (O-9, D-9) as part of 44 letterwinners (O-20, D-21, S-3) from last year, which includes 13 Super Seniors. Along with 44 returning lettermen, USU welcomes back 24 more players (O-12, D-9, S-3) that were in the program in 2020, while adding 41 newcomers (O-20, D-20, S-1), 15 of which are four-year transfers. Those 13 'Super Seniors' include: OL Demytrick Ali'ifua, DE Jaylin Bannerman, S Shaq Bond, WR Sean Carter, OLB Cash Gilliam, DE Nick Heninger, RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole, ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer, DT Marcus Moore, WR Jordan Nathan, WR Savon Scarver, TE Carson Terrell and WR Derek Wright.   
• Highlighting Utah State's returners in 2021 are seven players that earned honorable mention all-Mountain West honors a season ago in graduate senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua, graduate senior S Shaq Bond, graduate senior DE Nick Heninger, graduate senior DT Marcus Moore, senior KOR Savon Scarver, junior ILB AJ Vongphachanh and sophomore P Stephen Kotsanlee. Bond has been named honorable mention all-MW each of the past two seasons, while Scarver was a consensus All-American in 2018 and is the preseason MW Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021.
• Other starters returning for Utah State in 2021 include Henry-Cole, Meitzenheimer, Terrell, Wright, senior OL Alfred Edwards, senior CB Andre Grayson, senior CB Zahodri Jackson, senior WR Deven Thompkins, junior CB Cam Lampkin, junior WR Justin McGriff, junior OL Jacob South, junior S Dominic Tatum and sophomore OL Falepule Alo.
• Utah State welcomes three transfers that earned all-Sun Belt Conference honors at Arkansas State a season ago in graduate senior WR Brandon Bowling, graduate senior ILB Justin Rice and graduate junior QB Logan Bonner. Rice earned first-team all-conference honors at ASU in 2020 and was first-team all-Mountain West at Fresno State in 2019, while Bowling and Bonner both garnered honorable mention all-Sun Belt honors last season for the Red Wolves. 
• Utah State has 11 Power 5 transfers on its roster in in graduate senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole (Utah), graduate senior DE Nick Heninger (Utah), graduate senior DT Marcus Moore (UCLA), graduate junior RB Calvin Tyler Jr. (Oregon State), graduate senior CB Kyle Mayberry (Kansas), graduate junior DE Phillip Paea (Michigan), graduate junior S Hunter Reynolds (Michigan), junior DE Patrick Joyner Jr. (Miami), junior DE Byron Vaughns (Texas), junior OL Quazzel White (TCU) and redshirt freshman WR Jamie Nance (Nebraska). 
 
SCOUTING SAN DIEGO STATE
• San Diego State is 11-1 on the season and won the West Division of the Mountain West with a 7-1 league record following its 27-16 home win against Boise State last weekend. The Aztecs, who are ranked 19th in the nation in the latest Associated Press poll, are led by senior QB Lucas Johnson, who is 114-of-187 (.610) passing for 1,091 yards (90.9 ypg) with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Senior RB Greg Bell leads the team in rushing with 949 yards on 209 carries (4.5 ypc/79.1 ypg) with eight touchdowns, and junior WR Jesse Matthews has caught 39 passes for 400 yards (10.3 ypr/33.3 ypg) with six touchdowns. Defensively, junior S Patrick McMorris leads the team with 79 tackles, which includes 2.0 tackles for loss. As a team, San Diego State is averaging 27.7 points and 332.2 yards of total offense (178.0 rushing, 154.3 passing), and allowing 17.3 points and 235.7 yards of total offense (78.5 rushing, 235.7 passing). San Diego State returns 19 starters (O-9, D-10) from last year's team that went 4-4 overall and finished in fourth place in the MW with a 4-2 league ledger. Brady Hoke is in his second stint as the head coach at San Diego State and is 28-17 in his fourth season with the Aztecs. Overall, he has a 93-75 record in 14 seasons as a collegiate head coach.
 
AGGIES AND AZTECS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State trails in the all-time series against San Diego State, 13-2, which includes a 2-8 road record. The first game played in the series was on Sept. 20, 1947, in Logan with SDSU winning, 24-19. SDSU had won 10 straight games in the series prior to USU's 23-17 road win in 2019. The Aztecs won last year's meeting in Logan, 38-7.
 
AGGIES vs. AZTECS SERIES 19TH-MOST PLAYED IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State and San Diego State will be meeting for the 16th time in series history this weekend in what is the 19th-most played series in school history.
 
UTAH STATE VERSUS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
• Utah State is 63-73-2 (.464) all-time against teams from California, including a 26-46-2 (.365) road record. Overall, USU is 21-7 versus Pacific, 19-20-1 against San José State, 13-18-1 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.
 
AGGIES FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
• Utah State has 24 players in its program from the state of California, which is the second-most on the team behind the 36 players in the program from Utah. Aggie players from the Golden State include graduate senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua (Hayward/San Leandro HS), graduate senior CB Andre Grayson (Rancho Cucamonga/Etiwanda HS), graduate senior DT Marcus Moore (Pasadena/Crespi HS), graduate senior WR Jordan Nathan (Monrovia/Monrovia HS), graduate senior ILB Justin Rice (Modesto/Central Catholic HS), senior OL Alfred Edwards (Redlands/Redlands Senior HS), senior S Jarrod Green (Elk Grove/Cosumnes Oaks HS), senior ILB Kevin Meitzenheimer (Moreno Valley/Moreno Valley HS), senior CB Xavion Steele (Hemet/Orange Lutheran HS), junior CB Michael Anyanwu (Covina/Charter Oak HS), junior DT James Hansen (Fontana/Kaiser HS), junior WR Tim Patrick Jr. (San Diego/Morse HS), junior DT Aurion Peoples (Compton/Lancaster HS), junior S Dominic Tatum (Culver City/Culver City HS), sophomore QB Josh Calvin (Bellflower/Mayfair HS), sophomore TE Jack Drews (Ramona/Ramona HS), sophomore WR Quinton Hadnot (San Marcos/Mission Hills HS), sophomore OLB Keith Harris (Lawndale/Leuzinger HS), sophomore RB Elelyon Noa (La Mesa/Helix HS), sophomore PK Joey Rouly (Anaheim/Canyon HS), sophomore LS Jesse Vasquez (Los Angeles/Oaks Christian HS), redshirt freshman LS Jacob Garcia (Anaheim/Servite HS), freshman OL Elia Migao (Temecula/Chaparral HS) and freshman DE Enoka Migao (Temecula/Chaparral HS).   
 
PLAYER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND SAN DIEGO STATE
• The following are connections between Utah State and San Diego State players. USU graduate senior OL Demytrick Ali'ifua and SDSU freshman S DJ Bryant both attended San Leandro (California) HS. USU senior CB Xavion Steele and SDSU junior RB Lucky Avinger both attended Fullerton (California) JC. USU senior WR Derek Wright and SDSU senior DL Kahi Neves both began their collegiate careers Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. USU junior WR Justin McGriff, USU redshirt freshman WR Jamie Nance and SDSU senior RB Greg Bell all began their collegiate careers at Nebraska. USU junior DT Hale Motu'apuaka, SDSU senior LB Seyddrick Lakalaka and SDSU senior OL Alama Uluave all attended Punahou HS in Honolulu. USU sophomore LS Jacob Garcia and SDSU freshman CB Noah Avinger both attended Servite HS in Anaheim, California. USU sophomore RB Elelyon Noa, SDSU senior S Rashad Scott, SDSU junior LB Michael Shawcroft, SDSU freshman CB Jaiden Brown and SDSU freshman OL Josh Simmons all attended Helix HS in La Mesa, California. USU sophomore OLB Kaleo Neves and USU sophomore WR Kyle Van Leeuwen both attended Timpview HS in Provo, Utah, as did SDSU senior DL Kahi Neves. USU freshman OL Elia Migao and freshman DE Enoka Migao both attended Chaparral HS in Temecula, California, as did SDSU freshman DL Avory Iosefa-Hart.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
• Utah State's 31-25 win at San Diego State on Nov. 25, 1967, snapped a 25-game winning streak for the Aztecs, which still ranks as the 20th-longest in NCAA history.
• Utah State had lost 10 straight games to San Diego State prior to its 23-17 road win in 2019.
• Utah State has 38 players in its program from the Beehive State, while San Diego State has 68 players on its roster from the Golden State.
• Utah State's Kaleo Neves and San Diego State's Kahi Neves are brothers.
• Utah State is 16-19 (.457) all-time in games played during the month of December, including an 0-2 record in known games played on Dec. 4.
 
SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND SAN DIEGO STATE
The following are series notables between Utah State and San Diego State dating back to 1967 and encompassing the last 13 meetings. 
• Utah State's 23 points in its 2019 win are its second-most in series history and most since its 31-25 win in 1967. Conversely, San Diego State's 17 points in that game were its fewest against USU in its previous six games dating back to 1976.
• San Diego State had scored at least 40 points in each of the last three games in the series, and had won each of the last four games and nine of its last 10 by double digits prior to the 2019 meeting. Furthermore, SDSU has scored at least 30 points in eight of the last 11 meetings.
• Prior to the 2019 meeting, Utah State had not scored more than 20 points against San Diego State in each of its previous 10 meetings, and was held to single digits in five of those contests, which included one shutout.
• In the 2019 meeting, Utah State's 375 yards of total offense and 293 passing yards are both the most in series history, while SDSU's 372 total yards were its fewest in its previous four games. Furthermore, USU held the Aztecs to under 100 yards rushing for the first time in five meetings and for just the fourth time in the last 13 matchups.
• The team that has more yards of total offense has won 12 of the last 13 games in the series. In fact, USU has had less than 300 yards of total offense in eight of the last nine games played in the series. Conversely, San Diego State has had at least 400 yards of total offense in six of the last 11 games played between the two teams.
• San Diego State has controlled the time of possession in each of the last five games in the series.
• San Diego State has committed fewer turnovers in 11 of the previous 13 meetings. In the last five meetings, USU has committed 10 turnovers as compared to just three for San Diego State, which includes three games for SDSU with no turnovers and one such game for USU.
• San Diego State is 6-2 in the series when scoring first and 8-1 when leading at the half, while Utah State is 0-5 when scoring first and 1-2 when leading at the half.
• Utah State has had two 100-yard receivers and three 100-yard rushers in series history, but has never had a 300-yard passer.
• San Diego State has had two 300-yard passers and six 100-yard receivers in series history, to go along with five 100-yard rushers.
 
FROM THE RECORD BOOKS
Here is a look at some of the top Utah State team performances against San Diego State in series history.
• Utah State forced a school-record-tying eight turnovers (4 interceptions, 4 fumbles) at San Diego State in 1968.
• Utah State limited San Diego State to -22 rushing yards in 1971 and -5 yards in 1967, which are the fifth- and ninth-fewest rushing yards allowed in a single game in school history.
• Utah State limited San Diego State to 14 passing yards in 2016, which is tied for the fourth-fewest in a single game in school history.
 
UTAH STATE vs. THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 170-189-8 (.474) all-time against current members of the Mountain West with a 40-27-4 record vs. Wyoming, a 36-39-2 record vs. Colorado State, an 18-7 record vs. UNLV, a 19-20-1 record vs. San José State, a 15-13 record vs. New Mexico, a 13-18-1 record vs. Fresno State, an 11-6 record vs. Hawai`i, a 7-19 record vs. Nevada, a 5-21 record vs. Boise State, a 4-6 record vs. Air Force and a 2-13 record vs. San Diego State.
• Utah State is in its ninth 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.
 
LAST MEETING vs. SAN DIEGO STATE
LOGAN, Utah - Utah State junior WR Deven Thompkins tied his career-high with six receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown as the Aggies opened the home portion of their schedule with a 38-7 Halloween night loss to San Diego State on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. 
 
Thompkins' touchdown reception – his first of the season – was a thing of beauty as he hauled in the 37-yard, over-the-shoulder catch from junior QB Jason Shelley on the final play of the first half. The score pulled the Aggies (0-2, 0-2 Mountain West) to within 10-7 of the Aztecs heading into the half. 
 
Whatever momentum Utah State gained from Thompkins' half-ending touchdown was short-lived, however. That's because San Diego State (2-0, 2-0 MW) scored touchdowns on its first four drives of the second half. 
 
The Aztecs effectively took the wind out of the Aggies' sails on the very first drive of the third quarter. Following a sack by Utah State senior DL Justus Te'i and senior ILB Cash Gilliam, SDSU was facing second-and-26 from its own 9-yard line. USU couldn't get off the field, though, as SDSU RB Greg Bell picked up 16 yards on the second-down play, and QB Carson Baker hooked up with TE Daniel Bellinger for another 16 yards and the first down. Six running plays later, the Aztecs were in the end zone courtesy of a 6-yard run by Bell to make it 17-7 for the visitors with 9:56 to go in the third. 
 
Utah State went three-and-out on the ensuing possession and punted the ball back to San Diego State, which went 68 yards to paydirt in six plays, opening up a 24-7 lead following a 27-yard touchdown run by Chance Bell. 
 
Greg Bell led SDSU's ground attack with 157 yards and the one touchdown on 22 carries. Chance Bell added 98 yards and another touchdown on 10 carries, while Jordan Byrd scored on a 73-yard touchdown run. 
 
San Diego State finished with 570 yards of total offense, including 407 on the ground alone. Baker completed 18-of-27 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. 
 
Utah State ended the night with just 215 total yards – 112 through the air and 103 on the ground. Senior RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole led the Aggies on the ground with 27 yards on 11 carries. Shelley was 13-of-21 for 88 yards with one touchdown and one interception through the air. 
 
Sophomore QB Andrew Peasley replaced Shelley in the fourth quarter and completed five of his nine passes for 24 yards and an interception. 
 
Defensively, Utah State senior S Shaq Bond tied his career high in tackles (12) and pass breakups (2). He also had 1.0 tackles for loss. Gilliam had a career-high 11 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. 
 
Senior OLB Nick Heninger posted a career-high eight tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss, while sophomore DL Hale Motu'apuaka blocked a 33- yard field goal attempt on the game's opening possession. 
 
San Diego State had three players record five tackles apiece in Taylor Hawkins, Darren Hall and Andrew Aleki. 
 
LAST ROAD MEETING vs. SAN DIEGO STATE
SAN DIEGO, California - Junior RB Jaylen Warren rushed for 74 yards and one touchdown and senior PK Dominik Eberle kicked three field goals as Utah State held on for a 23-17 Mountain West road win at San Diego State on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. 
 
This was the Aggies' first victory over San Diego State since a 31-25 road win on Nov. 25, 1967, snapping a 10-game losing skid to the Aztecs. 
 
Junior QB Jordan Love threw for 297 yards, completing 30 of his 47 pass attempts, to help Utah State (2-1, 1-0 Mountain West) open a 23-3 lead with 10:53 remaining in the third quarter after Eberle kicked his third field goal of the night, a 32-yarder. 
 
The Aztecs (3-1, 0-1) made it interesting in the fourth quarter, though, as quarterback Ryan Agnew threw a pair of touchdown passes – a 25- and 49-yarder, respectively – both of which were on fourth down. The second of the two came with 5:19 remaining, pulling the hosts within 23-17. 
 
San Diego State got the ball back one more time on its own 25-yard line with 1:18 to go after Eberle missed a 42-yard field goal. Agnew completed a 14-yard pass on the opening play, but misfired on his next three attempts before redshirt junior DE Justus Te'i slammed the door on the Aztecs by sacking the SDSU signal caller for a loss of 37 yards. 
 
Utah State finished with 375 yards of total offense, just three better than SDSU. Agnew was 20-of-37 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a costly interception in the first quarter, which was picked off by USU junior S Shaq Bond and returned 48 yards for the first touchdown of the game. 
 
The second pick-six of Bond's career gave the Aggies a 7-3 lead with six minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Bond finished with eight tackles, including a career-best 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup. 
 
Junior LB David Woodward led Utah State with 13 stops, his 11th career double-digit tackle outing. Senior CB DJ Williams added a career-best 12 tackles, including 11 of the solo variety. Senior DE Tipa Galeai tied his career high with 3.0 tackles for loss for the Aggies, senior CB Cameron Haney added a career-high-tying three pass breakups and junior LB Kevin Meitzenheimer had nine tackles to match his personal best. 
 
Senior graduate transfer WR Siaosi Mariner was Love's favorite target on the night as he caught seven passes for 74 yards. Junior WR Savon Scarver added five receptions for 90 yards, both of which were career highs. 
 
San Diego State took the opening kickoff and ate up more than seven minutes off the clock, but had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Matt Araiza to give the hosts a 3-0 lead. 
 
Utah State proceeded to score the next 23 points, beginning with Bond's pick-six. Field goals of 30 and 29 yards, respectively, by Eberle made it 13-3 with 3:27 to play in the first half, but the Aggies weren't done putting points on the board. 
 
Utah State forced SDSU to punt late in the half and the Aggies took over on their own 20 with 1:15 remaining. Seven plays and 80 yards later, USU was in the end zone courtesy of an 11-yard touchdown run by Warren to give the guests a 20-3 lead at the break. 
 
2013 MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP
FRESNO, California - 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 to 24th-ranked Fresno State, 24-17, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. 
 
Utah State trailed 24-7 early in the fourth quarter before scoring 10 points in 2:55 to get within one score at 24-17 and was driving inside the Bulldogs' 40-yard line in the final minute before getting intercepted at the FS 17 to end the game. 
 
Utah State had its five-game winning streak snapped with the loss and fell to 2-50 all-time against ranked teams, including a 1-40 road record. 
 
Junior WR Ronald Butler led Utah State as he tied his career-high with five receptions for a career-best 145 yards, while senior WR Travis Van Leeuwen tied his career-high with six receptions for 52 yards and sophomore WR JoJo Natson had four receptions for 50 yards, to go along with two rushes for 11 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown run. 
 
Senior RB Joey DeMartino finished the game with 54 yards on 18 carries, while freshman QB Darell Garretson was 12-of-26 passing for 198 yards with one interception and junior QB Craig Harrison was 4-of-9 passing for 55 yards and one interception. 
 
Derek Carr led Fresno State as he was 36-of-53 passing for 404 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, while Isaiah Burse had 17 receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown, and Davante Adams added nine receptions for 168 yards with another score. 
 
Utah State finished the game with 304 yards of offense as it had 253 yards passing and a season-low 51 yards rushing. Fresno State had 460 yards with 404 passing and 56 rushing. 
 
Senior LB Jake Doughty led Utah State's defense with 10 tackles to go along with 0.5 tackles for loss and recovered his second career fumble that he returned 86 yards for a touchdown. Junior S Brian Suite added nine tackles and a career-high two interceptions. 
 
Fresno State scored the first 17 points of the game as it converted a 30-yard field goal with 8:36 to play in the first quarter, followed by a pair of touchdown passes from Carr in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 17-0 lead with 7:17 to play in the half. 
 
Utah State had two chances to score early in the second quarter, but threw an interception in the end zone and missed a 42-yard field goal. 
 
The Bulldogs appeared ready to add another touchdown right before the half, but fumbled the ball in the red zone and Doughty returned it 86 yards for his first career touchdown with three seconds to play in the half. 
 
Utah State's defense continued to create turnovers in the third quarter with interceptions by Suite on back-to-back Bulldog possessions, but USU was unable to convert those into any points. 
 
Fresno State scored its only points of the second half late in the third quarter on another Carr touchdown pass to give the home team a 24-7 advantage with 1:33 remaining in the quarter. 
 
Utah State's offense finally got on the board early in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard touchdown run by Natson to cap a 13-play, 78-yard drive. USU senior PK Josh Thompson then successfully executed an on-side kick that was recovered by redshirt freshman LB Nick Vigil at the Fresno State 45. The Aggies then drove the ball down to the FS 3-yard line before settling for a 20-yard field goal from junior PK Nick Diaz. 
 
After that, Utah State's defense forced the Bulldogs to turn the ball over on downs twice in the final 4:00, but was unable to score the tying touchdown. 
 
GAME 12 RECAP vs. NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - Graduate junior QB Logan Bonner passed for 306 yards and a career-high five touchdowns and senior WR Deven Thompkins set the single-season school record for receiving yards as Utah State clinched a berth in the Mountain West championship game with a 35-10 win at New Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2021. 
 
The Aggies (9-3, 6-2 Mountain West) have won six of their last seven games to secure their first appearance in the conference championship game since 2013, their inaugural season in the MW. The Lobos (3-9, 1-7) ended their season with four-straight losses. 
 
Thompkins caught five passes for 35 yards to set the school record for most receiving yards in a single season. He now has 1,543 on the year, surpassing the previous mark of 1,531 set by Kevin Curtis in 2021. 
 
Utah State finished the game with 440 yards of total offense (122 rushing, 318 passing) despite possessing the ball for just 24:36. 
 
In just three quarters of work, Bonner was 16-of-23, throwing touchdown passes of 27, 39, 36, 76 and 10 yards, respectively, to tie the school record of five set by five other quarterbacks. Bonner now has 32 touchdown passes on the season, which is tied with Jordan Love for the single-season school record. 
 
Bonner staked the Aggies to a 28-0 lead at the break as he was 12-of-16 passing for 242 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns in the first half alone. Senior WR Derek Wright was on the receiving end of three of those passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns – from 27 and 76 yards out, respectively. 
 
Utah State's defense stymied New Mexico all game long as the Lobos were held to just 186 yards of offense, including 101 on the ground. 
 
Graduate senior ILB Justin Rice and graduate senior DE Nick Heninger led all tacklers in the game with 10-apiece. Heninger was also credited with 3.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Graduate junior S Hunter Reynolds also recovered a fumble for the Aggies, while junior DE Byron Vaughns tied his career-high with eight stops, which included 2.0 tackles for loss. 
 
Overall, Utah State's defense finished the game with 12.0 tackles for loss and won the turnover battle, 2-0. 
 
Wright caught four passes for a career-high 150 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns. His first score of the game, a 27-yarder, gave Utah State a 7-0 lead with 8:42 to go in the first quarter. 
 
Bonner and the Aggies poured it on in the second quarter as the signal caller threw touchdown passes of 39 yards to graduate senior WR Jordan Nathan, 36 yards to graduate senior WR Brandon Bowling and a 76-yard bomb to Wright. 
 
Utah State, which racked up 281 yards in the first half and held New Mexico to 63, led 28-0 at the break. The Aggies made it 35-0 with 5:57 left in the third quarter when Bonner put the exclamation point on his day with a 10-yard touchdown pass to junior WR Justin McGriff. 
 
With the win, Utah State became just the eighth team in school history to win nine or more games. 
 
The Aggies have won five straight against the Lobos and improved to 15-13 all-time in the overall series.