LOGAN, Utah – Following its 41-24 Mountain West home win against Nevada this past weekend, Utah State football now ranks among the top 40 teams in the nation in 16 different statistical categories, including ranking 20th in the nation in scoring offense.
Offensively, Utah State is second in the MW and 20th in the nation in scoring offense (35.5 ppg), first in the MW and 22nd in the nation in total offense (448.3 ypg), second in the MW and 38th in the nation in passing efficiency (148.3), third in the MW and 32nd in the nation in passing offense (271.0 ypg), fourth in the MW and 55th in the nation in completion percentage (.628), fifth in the MW and 40th in the nation in rushing offense (177.3 ypg), and 10th in the MW and 107th in the nation in sacks allowed with 29 (2.9 pg).
Utah State is also second in the MW and 30th in the nation in fumbles lost with four (0.40 pg), third in the MW and 22nd in the nation in red zone offense (.914), third in the MW and 40th in the nation in first downs with 220 (22.0 pg), fifth in the MW and 50th in the nation in passing yards per completion (12.4), sixth in the MW and 32nd in the nation in fourth down conversions (.636), and sixth in the MW and 65th in the nation in turnover margin (0.0).
Defensively, Utah State is second in the MW and 56th in the nation in tackles for loss with 58 (5.8 pg), sixth in the MW and 59th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (131.3), sixth in the MW and 71st in the nation in passing defense (230.3 ypg), sixth in the MW and 74th in the nation in sacks with 20 (2.0 pg), seventh in the MW and 98th in the nation in rushing defense (170.0 ypg), eighth in the MW and 93rd in the nation in total defense (400.3 ypg), and ninth in the MW and 109th in the nation in scoring defense (32.0 ppg).
Utah State is also first in the MW and 42nd in the nation in red zone defense (.800) and is one of 17 FBS teams in the nation with three defensive touchdowns this season.
And, Utah State is third in the MW and 11th in the nation with 19 forced turnovers this season, third in the MW and ninth in the nation in fumbles recovered with nine (0.9 pg), and third in the MW and 32nd in the nation in passes intercepted with 10 (1.0 pg).
On special teams, Utah State is sixth in the MW and 61st in the nation in punt returns (8.7 ypr), sixth in the MW and 78th in the nation in kickoff return defense (20.8 ypr), seventh in the MW and 80th in the nation in kickoff returns (18.9 ypr), 10th in the MW and 99th in the nation in net punting (36.7 ypp), and 11th in the MW and 122nd in the nation in punt return defense (15.4 ypr).
Individually, sophomore safety
Ike Larsen is first in the MW and third in the nation with two blocked kicks (0.20 pg), tied for first in the MW and sixth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.10 pg), first in the MW and 12th in the nation with four interceptions (0.40 pg), fifth in the MW in passes defended with nine (0.9 pg), and 11th in the MW and 75th in the nation in tackles (7.5 pg). Junior wide receiver
Jalen Royals is first in the MW and third in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 11 (1.1 pg), fourth in the MW and 25th in the nation in receiving (82.1 ypg), sixth in the MW and 40th in the nation in receptions (5.4 pg), eighth in the MW and 75th in the nation in scoring (6.8 ppg), and eighth in the MW and 92nd in the nation in yards per reception (15.2). Junior cornerback
Jaiden Francois is tied for first in the MW and sixth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.10 pg). Sophomore defensive tackle
Seni Tuiaki is tied for first in the MW and sixth in the nation with one defensive touchdown (0.10 pg). Graduate senior inside linebacker
MJ Tafisi Jr. is first in the MW and seventh in the nation in tackles (10.8 pg), and fifth in the MW in forced fumbles with two (0.20 pg). Graduate senior quarterback
Cooper Legas is first in the MW and 21st in the nation in passing efficiency (156.8), second in the MW and 32nd in the nation in yards per pass attempt (8.39), third in the MW and 32nd in the nation in passing touchdowns with 18 (2.3 pg), third in the MW and 39th in the nation in completion percentage (.647), third in the MW and 39th in the nation in points responsible for (13.8 ppg), fourth in the MW and 33rd in the nation in yards per completion (13.0), fifth in the MW and 57th in the nation in passing (210.9 ypg), sixth in the MW and 61st in the nation in total offense (224.1 ypg), and sixth in the MW and 63rd in the nation in completions per game (16.3). Junior defensive end
Blaine Spires is second in the MW and third in the nation in fumbles recovered with three (0.33 pg). Senior wide receiver
Terrell Vaughn is second in the MW and seventh in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 10 (1.0 pg), second in the MW and 10th in the nation in receptions (7.0 pg), fifth in the MW and 37th in the nation in receiving yards (77.6 ypg), and eighth in the MW and 89th in the nation in all-purpose yards (92.1 ypg). Junior running back
Rahsul Faison is second in the MW and eighth in the nation in yards per carry (6.92), and eighth in the MW and 97th in the nation in rushing (58.1 ypg). Junior wide receiver
Micah Davis is second in the MW and 24th in the nation in punt returns (9.1 ypr), third in the MW and 32nd in the nation in yards per reception (17.6), sixth in the MW and 45th in the nation in receiving touchdowns with six (0.56 pg), and 10th in the MW in all-purpose yards (87.2 ypg). Junior running back
Davon Booth is third in the MW and 33rd in the nation in yards per carry (5.84), and sixth in the MW and 82nd in the nation in rushing (62.9 ypg). Sophomore safety
Devin Dye is eighth in the MW in passes defended with eight (0.80 pg). Junior placekicker
Elliott Nimrod is fourth in the MW and 37th in the nation in field goal percentage (.818), seventh in the MW and 61st in the nation in scoring (7.3 ppg), and eighth in the MW and 77th in the nation in field goals (1.0 pg). Redshirt freshman defensive end
Paul Fitzgerald is seventh in the MW and 80th in the nation in sacks with 5.0 (0.50 pg). Freshman quarterback
McCae Hillstead is ninth in the MW and 80th in the nation in touchdown passes with 10 (1.7 pg). And, redshirt junior safety
Anthony Switzer is 12th in the MW and 78th in the nation in tackles (7.4 pg).
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