LOGAN, Utah – Following its 46-13 Mountain West Championship Game win at No. 19 San Diego State this past weekend, Utah State ranks among the top 50 teams in the nation in 21 different statistical categories.
 
Offensively, Utah State is averaging 450.4 yards per game to rank second in the Mountain West and 20th in the nation. USU also ranks third in the MW and 15th in the nation in passing offense (305.8 ypg), third in the MW and 24th in the nation in passing efficiency (152.6), third in the MW and 30th in the nation in scoring offense (33.2 ppg), fourth in the MW and 72nd in the nation in completion percentage (.603), fifth in the MW and 82nd in the nation in rushing offense (144.6 ypg), and sixth in the MW and 62nd in the nation in sacks allowed with 28 (2.15 pg).
 
Utah State's offense also ranks first in the MW and 12th in the nation in first downs with 307 (23.6 pg), first in the MW and 24th in the nation in third down conversions at 45.0 percent 95-of-211), and second in the MW and 15th in the nation in passing yards per completion (13.95).
 
Defensively, Utah State is averaging 7.9 tackles for loss per game to lead the Mountain West and rank fourth in the nation. USU also ranks seventh in the MW and 58th in the nation in scoring defense (25.3 ppg), eighth in the MW and 59th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (131.8), eighth in the MW and 65th in the nation in passing defense (228.4 ypg), eighth in the MW and 71st in the nation in sacks with 28 (2.15 pg), eighth in the MW and 85th in the nation in rushing defense (162.6 ypg), and ninth in the MW and 78th in the nation in total defense (391.0 ypg).
 
Utah State's defense is also second in the MW and third in the nation in fourth down conversions allowed at 27.8 percent (5-of-18), second in the MW and 28th in third down conversions allowed at 34.7 percent (59-of-170), and third in the MW and 43rd in the nation in red zone defense (.792).
 
On special teams, Utah State ranks third in the Mountain West and 31st in the nation in punt return defense (5.0 ypr), fourth in the MW and 41st in the nation in kickoff returns (22.3 ypr), fourth in the MW and 43rd in the nation in net punting (40.5 ypp), fourth in the MW and 52nd in the nation in punt returns (9.1 ypr), and fifth in the MW and 58th in the nation in kickoff return defense (20.6 ypr). USU also ranks third int he MW and 17th in the nation with its two blocked punts.
 
In fact, 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.
 
Individually, senior wide receiver Deven Thompkins leads the MW and ranks third in the nation in receiving (122.2 ypg). Thompkins is also first in the MW and ninth in the nation in all-purpose yards (142.0 ypg), second in the MW and ninth in the nation in receptions (7.4 pg), sixth in the MW and 24th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with nine (0.69 pg), and sixth in the MW and 57th in the nation in yards per reception (116.6). Graduate junior quarterback Logan Bonner is first in the MW and sixth in the nation in passing touchdowns with 36 (2.77 pg), second in the MW and 22nd in the nation in yards per completion (13.9), second in the MW and 31st in the nation in yards per attempt (8.48), third in the MW and 18th in the nation in passing (273.8 ypg), third in the MW and 18th in the nation in points responsible for (16.8 pg), third in the MW and 28th in the nation in passing efficiency (155.4), fourth in the MW and 33rd in the nation in completions (19.8 pg), fifth in the MW and 26th in the nation in total offense (278.9 ypg), and fifth in the MW and 70th in the nation in completion percentage (.612). Senior wide receiver 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 34th in the nation in kickoff returns (24.0 ypr). Graduate senior wide receiver Brandon Bowling is first in the MW and 11th in the nation in kickoff returns for touchdown with one (0.08 pg), and sixth in the MW and 24th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with nine (0.69 pg). Senior wide receiver Derek Wright is first in the MW and 11th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 11 (0.85 pg), and fifth in the MW and 53rd in the nation in yards per reception (16.8). Graduate senior defensive end Nick Heninger is second in the MW and sixth in the nation in fumbles forced with five (0.38 pg), and third in the MW in tackles for loss (1.19 pg). Graduate senior placekicker Connor Coles is fourth in the MW and 27th in the nation in field goals made with 19 (1.46 pg), fourth in the MW and 35th in the nation in scoring with 106 points (8.2 ppg), and 10th in the MW in points responsible for (8.2 pg). Sophomore defensive tackle Poukesi Vakauta is fourth in the MW and 21st in the nation in fumbles recovered with two (0.15 pg). Graduate senior linebacker Justin Rice is fourth in the MW and 27th in the nation in tackles with 115 (8.8 pg), and eighth in the MW in tackles for loss (1.04 pg). Graduate senior wide receiver Jordan Nathan is sixth in the MW in punt returns (9.8 ypr). Graduate senior safety Shaq Bond is seventh in the MW and 54th in the nation in interceptions with three (0.25 pg). Junior linebacker Ajani Carter is seventh in the MW and 54th in the nation in interceptions with three (0.25 pg). Sophomore punter Stephen Kotsanlee is seventh in the MW and 50th in the nation in punting (42.6 ypp). Graduate junior running back Calvin Tyler Jr. is seventh in the MW and 71st in the nation in rushing yards (69.5 ypg). And, junior wide receiver Justin McGriff is 10th in the MW and 71st in the nation in receiving touchdowns with six (0.46 pg).
 
Utah State (10-3, 6-2 MW) will conclude its season in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl against Oregon State (7-5, 5-4 MW) on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 p.m. (MT). The game will played in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and be televised nationally on ABC.
 
Tickets for the 2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl are on sale now and available by contacting the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305. Tickets can also be purchased 24 hours a day at www.UtahStateAggies.com/tickets
 
For more information on the Utah State football program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUFootball, on Facebook at USUFootball and on Instagram at USUFootball.